- By Kenneth Udeh
In fulfilment of part of his 2019 campaign promises, the Chief of the Senate and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Friday commissioned a 3.2 kilometer Asphalt road with Drainage constructed at Atan Ihechiowa community of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia North Senatorial district.
The 3km Atan, Ihechiowa road is one of the 19 road projects in Abia North facilitated by Kalu within the first term at the National Assembly.
The flag off exercise was marked by a mini reception hosted by the community organised by its stakeholder, Chief Eze Aru to show gratitude to the Senate Chief Whip.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Chief Host,Joe Eze Aru, stressed the need to respect public office holders like Senator Orji Kalu who he said is devoted to delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
“This road is a product of Senator Kalu’s ideology of sincerity in Nigerian Politics. This has further proven that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu loves our community, because politics is all about meeting the needs of the people and senator Kalu has demonstrated this through the construction of this road. “We need to respect any public office holders like Senator Orji Kalu who is committed to working for the people, so I urge us all to support him and we are very grateful, said Joe.
Speaking, Senator Orji Kalu emphasised the need for public office holders in the country to focus on human development,while also discouraging money inducement as a means of empowerment by politicians. Kalu stressed the importance of executing infrastructure and human development as a sustainable dividends of democracy.
In his words, “The last time I came during the campaign my vehicles were all covered with dust, and I made a promise to all you that I would facilitate the construction of this road and this is what we are witnessing today. Apart from this road, the construction of a 7.9 Kilometer Opkor to Arochukwu road is also ongoing. I don’t believe in politics of cash inducement or distribution of materials that are not tangible.
Appreciating President Buhari for making the execution of projects possible, the Abia North Senator said; “I must also add that we all thank our dear President Buhari for making the construction of these infrastructure projects possible by approving the release of funds for our Zonal Intervention Projects. The contractors for these projects are not known to me , I don’t even know them. My only concern is for the job to be executed in accordance with quality. “I have also maintained that human development is even more important than roads, that is the reason as Governor I never owed civil servants or pensioners, my implemented free Education. The people never appreciated the essence of these factors not until today , the reverse is the case , your children are asked to pay school fees and workers are being owed for years.
Also speaking, Chief executive officer of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe described the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a “pacesetter” for public office holders in the country.
According to the Ohafia born Film corporation Chief executive , Senator Kalu has distinguished himself as a result of his numerous infrastructural developments attracted to his Senatorial zone within his first term at the National Assembly stating that he is a symbol of “Good Governance”
In the words of Dr. Chidia “Senator Orji Uzor Kalu symbol of “good governance”, he’s antecedents has always shown that he is for the people. He is an architect of “good governance” and he has set the pace in the history of law makers at the National Assembly”. He made a promise to fix this road during the campaign and today it came to fruition this shows how committed he is to meet the yearnings of the people”.
Earlier in his contribution, Arochukwu LGA Chairman of the All Progressive’s Congress,John Million said that the road project was the first of its kind, John berated the failure of past senators.
He said ;”We have had previous Senators which represented us at the National Assembly but they did nothing for us. The immediate past Senator who represented us distributed only “frying pans” during his four year Tenure. But today Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has proven them wrong by facilitating various infrastructure projects all over Abia-North, not just Ihechiowa community. Today Abia-North stands out among other senatorial districts in Abia State and he has made us proud.
Abia North Zonal Chairman of the APC, Hon Chris Ajah in his remarks commended Senator Kalu which he described as record breaking.
He said “before now we never knew Lawmakers could facilitate infrastructure projects like roads not until Senator Kalu became a Senator. He’s achievements in less than two years in office have revealed to us that Senators can construct roads. As a result of the road and other projects he has executed, our party the APC has witnessed an influx of new members. In Isuikwuato we have 3 road projects going on the same with Ohafia. I assure all Abians to continue to join the APC , that they will never be disappointed under the leadership of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Representative of the Host Community, Chief Samson Aku on his part said that the road had already started yielding it’s economic dividends to its people.
“some of our sons have started erecting new buildings. In 2019 during your campaign you made a promise that you will construct this road regardless of the outcome of the election. We believed in your promise and voted massively for you and today you have redeemed your promise”, said Samson.
Others who witnessed the commissioning include ;Traditional ruler of the community HRH Eze Livinus Nto Mba, party faithful, host Community,Atan Ihechiowa.
