The Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Ogah, has called on Governors in the country to allow LGAs to breathe freely for the speedy and proper development of the hinterlands.
Hon Ogah who spoke at Town Hall meetings he organized for his Constituents frowned at the penchant of Governors to control Council funds and made it clear that the anomaly has impeded development at the grassroots.
He pointed out that most of the expectations of the people from lawmakers were things the Local Government Authorities would have ordinarily provided, if they had unfettered access to their funds.
” There is no LGA in Nigeria today that does not get at least N250 million every month as allocation from the federal government. That’s why the Governors are holding tight to LGA allocations,” he claimed.
He however made public that the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu are working hard to free the Local Governments from the claws of the Governors by granting them financial autonomy to bring about development in our communities.
According to him, “If N250 million gets to every LGA monthly, you can imagine the level of development that will be seen at the grassroots. This will remove a lot of burden from lawmakers because many of what our constituents want us to do are actually the duty of LGAs. But we are working hard to liberate them”.
Presenting his scorecard earlier, Hon. Ogah disclosed that he influenced the inclusion of projects worth over N4 billion for the constituency in the 2024 budget, but regretted that non release of funds installed the execution of some of them.
He, however, vowed not to relent in lobbying and mounting pressure on the relevant Ministries and agencies to ensure the constituency gets its fare share of the national cake.
While disclosing that he is in constant touch with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi regarding the Okigwe – Uturu- Afikpo, Hon Ogah said this project is already captured in the 2025 budget and commended the Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for his effort in giving the health sector the deserved attention.
He noted that he was able to secure Achara Uturu hospital to be annexed to the Federal Medical Center Umuahia and promised that the perimeter fencing of the Divisional Police Office, Mbalano Isuikwuato will soon be done.
The National Assembly member also promised to sustain his empowerment schemes which, according to him, preceded his entry into politics and made it clear that the only way to crash crime rate is through meaningful empowerment of youths.
Hon. Ogah expressed gratitude to the people for honouring his invitation and for the support and encouragement and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him.
In his speech at the meeting held in Umunneochi, the Bishop of Okigwe Methodist Diocese, the most Rev Livinus Biereonwu Onuagha commended Ogah for his efforts and called on politicians to do more in job creation and youth empowerment to reduce the rising crime wave.
He decried an emerging dangerous trend among youths in the area where youths begin to drink and smoke early in the morning and warned of the grave implications of such a trend if unchecked.
Bishop Onuagha used the occasion to commend the efforts of Abia State Government and security agencies in quelling insecurity around Umunneochi/Isuikwuato axis which was at a time, the hub if kidnapping.
In their separate speeches at the occasion, HRH Eze Engr. Augustine O. Udeh who spoke on behalf of the Isuikwuato Council of Traditional Rulers appreciated the federal lawmaker for the quality representation and reminded him to look into the federal government projects in the locality that have been stalled like the ABSU (Uturu) – Akara road, Okigwe – Uturu road for the benefit of commuters.
on his own, Eze Chigbu Ikwulagu called for the fixing of the Ezere-Ozara-Acha road with its economic importance while Eze Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya laid emphasis on bringing back the Law and Agriculture faculties of the Abia State University back to Uturu Campus and fixing of some hinterland roads in Uturu.
In their contributions, President-General of Isuikwuato Development Union (IDU) National, Mr. Chidiebere Uguru who applauded Hon. Ogah for his giant strides within a short time, made a case for the completion of the IDU National secretariat building and an operational bus while
Dr. Chidi Mbah, the President-General of Uturu Development Union promised that they would give Hon. Ogah the needed support.
Baring his mind, the Labour Party Chairman of Isuikwuato LGA, Hon Harrison Onuke who spoke on behalf of other political parties appreciated the federal lawmaker for bringing the people together irrespective of party affiliation and urged him to continue in his good works.
Other speakers also drew the attention to ensure adequate inclusion of the constituency in the restoration of electricity in Uturu communities, provision of adequate security in the locality, a housing estate and creation of more job opportunities for the Youths and Board appointments.
