Catholic priest turns tractor operator; repairs road in Njaba community.

Residents of Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, and other communities within the locality were surprised on Monday August 10, 2026, when they spotted an American Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Angelo Van der Putten, operating a John Deere tractor to repair and create drainage along the A-Line section of the Umuaka-Ukwu Orji Road. Over the years, Akalites have been crying and drawing the attention of the state government and the local government to the dilapidated road. Sadly, no concrete response from the government so far except promises made at several fora that the government was going to fix the road.

The failure of the government to fix the road attracted the attention of Rev Father Van der Putten, who serves at the NneEnyemaka Shrine, also known as the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Umuaka Times gathered that the versatile man of God was posted to Umuaka in 2013 and he has become increasingly known in the community for his practical approach to helping residents, particularly through road repairs and other forms of volunteerism.

In an exclusive interview with Umuaka Times, Father Angelo as he is fondly addressed by close associates and parishioners has reportedly used his John Deere tractor several times over the past two months to repair portions of the community roads. Explaining his motivation, he said he carries out the work “for the love of God.”

“I was born in California but raised on a farm in the Midwest. I started driving tractors at the age of 12 years,” he said, explaining his familiarity with agricultural machinery.

Apart from his pastoral duties, Fr. Van der Putten is involved in farming and is a familiar sight in the community as Umuaka Times has spotted him riding his sports bicycle or motorbike at several times. Although he speaks only a little Igbo, his relationship with residents has endeared him to many people in the community and some Akalites have suggested that Umuaka community should bestow him with a chieftaincy title.

An Akalite who spoke with Umuaka Times under the condition of anonymity disclosed that the latest road intervention came after years of complaints by residents over the poor condition of the Umuaka-Ukwu Orji Road. For more than four years, residents had reportedly appealed to several government officials to rehabilitate the road. According to community members, promises were repeatedly made that the road would be fixed, but the expected intervention never materialized.

Faced with the continued deterioration of the road, the Catholic priest decided to take action himself, using his tractor to tackle sections of the road and improve drainage. His intervention has attracted considerable attention, with residents describing his actions as an example of practical service to the community.

Passers-by who witnessed the priest operating the tractor on Monday reportedly stopped to thank and pray for him. Some expressed disappointment with political leaders whom they accused of neglecting the road despite repeated appeals, with particular criticism directed at politicians associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

For many residents, Fr. Van der Putten’s intervention has become a striking example of how an individual can respond to a community’s immediate needs when official promises fail to translate into action.