Rep. Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo added 28 new photos.

Yesterday at 7:59am on his facebook account as reported
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Remarks By Rep. Sam I. Onuigbo Following The Inspection Of Projects Attracted By Him To Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency, On Friday, November 24th, 2017.

Gentlemen of the Press.

In July this year, while I was addressing the Annual convention of the Ikwuano National Development Association USA/Canada in Dallas, Texas, USA, I mentioned to them that I have been able to attract projects worth over N4billion to my constituency--Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South federal constituency. That remark was not meant as an empty boast, but was part of my ritual of always accounting to the great people of my constituency who through the power of their thumbs, sent me to the House of Representatives. It is that ritual that is continuing today.

What we are doing today is to lead you to the sites of the projects so that you can see for yourselves what we are doing, measure the various levels of project completion, and determine for yourselves how much the projects are affecting positively the lives of my people. As members of the fourth estate of the realm, you owe it to the people, to always objectively report efforts being made by leaders, to effectively serve them.

One of the first things we did upon assuming office was to work hard to ensure that the formerly impassable Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road was rehabilitated. At that moment, the state of the road was so critical that businesses were severely impacted, lives lost, and the hardship faced by my constituents(and also commuters from neighbouring states) unbearable. Together with the Senator representing Abia Central, Distingished Senator T. A Orji, we mounted a lot of pressure on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, and got that road rehabilitated. Today, you are seeing for yourselves, how this effort has impacted on the lives of our people.

We did not stop at the rehabilitation of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road, we have ensured that the 3km Akpahia Obi – Ohuru road, Afugiri, Umuahia North and the 9.5 km road at Okwe- Obuohia
Umuemenike- Ahia Orie in Ikwuano, are all included in the NDDC budget. Efforts are being made to ensure that the contracts for the construction of the roads are awarded. We have also gone a step further to ensure that the Okwe -Obuohia-Nkari road is included in the 2018 federal budget.The idea is to provide an alternative route from Umuahia to Akwa Ibom, to Calabar, and even to the Cameroons. When that is done, it will help lift the pressure on the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road.

Our focus on roads was basically engendered by my belief that access roads help boost economic activities and ultimately ensure that the economic lives of my people improve. My dream is to ensure that within the period I am in office, I ensure among other things, that the economic lives of my people improve.

Earlier this year, by leveraging on the opportunities presented by the Ecological Fund Office of the Federal government, we were able to attract erosion control works worth about N750million to this constituency. These projects, situated at Amankwo Ezeleke,Amachara, Umuopara, in Umuahia South LGA,and at Okwe
Oboro, in Ikwuano LGA, as you can see for yourselves, have reached advanced stages of completion. The significance to the people is something you can testify to.

It is difficult to list one by one, the projects we have been able to attract so far. Permit me however to mention a few of them:

1. Sinking of a solar-powered borehole at Avonkwu Ibeku.

2. Construction of school blocks at Ekebedi, in Oboro, Ikwuano LGA, and Old Umuahia in Umuahia South LGA.

3. Renovation and construction of Health Centres in Obuohia Obi-Ibere, and Oloko, respectively.

Let me quickly point out that our efforts have not been limited to just projects as outlined above. The job of a lawmaker is primarily to make laws, and in that aspect, we have been very effective. As I talk to you, the Climate Change bill I sponsored has been passed by the House of Representatives, and has passed first reading at the Senate. We are working at all angles.

As we go on this inspection I implore you to keep an open mind. What is important is that you take note of the location of the projects, see what progress we have made, and ascertain for yourselves how impactful they are.

May God bless us all.

Rep. Sam I. Onuigbo (Odozi Obodo)
Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency,
House of Representatives.

P.S: The inspection afforded us the opportunity to hear first hand from the people complaints about the nature of some of the projects and their suggestions on what the contractors can do better. I took note of all the suggestions and will be taking them up with the contractors.