AWC Security Desk
ANAMBRA STATE – In a move that has redefined the boundaries of Private-Public-Community Partnership (PPCP), Amb. Dr. John Metchie has achieved what many thought impossible for a private citizen: the total construction, completion, and equipping of a functional military base at the formerly volatile border of Anambra East and West Local Government Areas.
For years, the crossing point between these two LGAs served as a flashpoint for kidnappers and criminal elements who exploited the difficult terrain to terrorize residents. Today, that narrative has been permanently silenced.
Without holding an elective office in government or a governmental appointment, Dr. Metchie took it upon himself to fund the project from the foundation up, providing a fortified “Iron Dome” for his people.
A Fortress for Peace
The facility, which stands as a testament to Metchie’s “people-driven” leadership, is not just a cluster of buildings. According to an independent investigation by the African Writers Centre (AWC), the base is a sophisticated security hub featuring:
* State-of-the-art gadgets: Fully completed housing for personnel to ensure a 24/7 military presence.
* Central Command & Monitoring: A high-tech CCTV surveillance network that monitors the border in real-time.
* Operational Mobility: The donation of security patrol vehicle to ensure support by community Forest Security Service rapid response to distress calls.
* Solar Infrastructure: Integrated solar-powered lighting to eliminate the “cover of darkness” previously used by criminals.
Motivated by the “Soludo Model”
Speaking on what drove him to undertake such a massive capital project alone, Dr. Metchie, who serves as the Deputy Commander General (Intelligence) of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, pointed to the state’s leadership.
“I fell in love with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model,” Metchie stated. “It taught us that we cannot wait for federal allocations alone to secure our homes. If we want safety, we must build it.”
The People’s Verdict
The impact on the ground is palpable. Where there was once fear, there is now commerce. The solar streetlights have extended trading hours, and the presence of the military base has caused a drastic drop in kidnapping incidents.
“Most leaders just share rice and consumables,” a local youth leader. “Dr. Metchie gave us something that saves lives. He built a fortress before he even asked for a vote.”
As the President General of Umueri and the Onowu of ASATU, Metchie’s actions have sparked a wider conversation about the 2027 elections. With a gentleman’s agreement on zoning favoring his community, Umueri, the AWC report concludes that Metchie has built an “unprecedented organic followership” that sees him not just as a candidate, but as a protector of his people of Anambra East and West Federal Constituency.
