2023: I Have My People’s Support, Encouragement To Represent Them At Senate, Says Rep Onuigbo

Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, Honourable Sam Onuigbo has stated that he has the support of the people of his constituency to represent them at the Senate in 2023 because of his sterling performance at the House of Representatives where he has been a member since 2015.

He revealed this recently in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

According to the Federal lawmaker, he has redefined represent with his own adopted style which has seen massive developments in his constituency, a feat he said he will also repeat if he emerges a Senator.

Onuigbo had recently declared his intention to represent the people of Abia Central in 2023 in Umuahia where he reiterated that the highest office belongs to the citizens who use the power of their thumb to elevate leaders to positions of trust.

He said, “And of course, I failed to inform you that I promised them that I will attempt to redefine representation so that representation is moved away from the prism of he has skyscrapers, he has a long convoy of cars, to, how you have used the powers given to you through the thumbs of your constituents to impact positively and meaningfully on their wellbeing.

“From there, they are showing tremendous support and encouragement for me to continue to represent them in any capacity they choose, whether in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.”

While stating that attracting basic infrastructure is not the function of the executive, Hon. Onuigbo said such has become important for Nigeria that is a developing nation so that the constituents will feel the impact of governance.

He also reeled out some of his achievements since he came to the House of Representatives. “Then, in terms of infrastructural developments, yes, it is not a legislative function but this is a developing economy and therefore as a developing country, you have to do those things that have the potentials to help your constituents to have a new feel, a better feel of life otherwise if you restrict yourself just to legislation alone, they would be probably be wondering why you went to Abuja. So, I have been able to facilitate major erosion control works one at Amankwo ezeleke in Umuopara clan of Umuahia south.

“Another one at Okwe, between Okwe and Obohio, that is in Ikwuano and these two major erosion control works were successfully executed and commissioned by ministers that represented Mr President. The one at Amankwo ezeleke was commissioned by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri when he was the minister for state for agriculture. And the one at Okwe was commissioned by Prof. Eta when he was minister of state for Niger Delta development.

“So, these were major erosion control works and I am still working on other ones that I have managed to pay for the survey plan, engineering works well because you know my federal constituency has well over 43 active erosion sites as we speak today.

“My village alone has 6. So, we will continue to do all these things and move them forward. Then, the road from Umuahia to Ikot-Ekpene, that is Umuahia-Ukwani-Ikot-Ekpene federal road, I have started working on that road. I moved the motion on this road far back May 21, 2016 and from then till now, I have been pursuing that road. But I am happy to say that fortunately after the road was awarded the first time but paucity of fund stalled it.

“I was able to work with the ministry of works and the road was eventually transferred to the NNPC road task credit scheme and the contractors have gone back to site and they are working now, that is 50km road and it is going to cost the federal government 13.2billion naira to execute. I have also been able to do major skills acquisition centres, one at Apumiri Ubakala and it is costing over 120million naira and it is at the completion stage.

“Then, I have done blocks of classrooms that I facilitated both at Umuajata Olokoro, Umujoto Olkoro, Nsirimo Ubalaka, Adanma Girls Secondary School at Ohuhu, Afugiri Ohuhu clan. That school in Ekemedi touches my heart because after it was constructed 72 years ago, I was the only person that came there and did something. I am also doing another one at Amaba and then we have another school that I facilitated at Umulu, Abamaisi also in Oboro, Ekemedi is in Oboro, Umulu is in Ibere.

“Then I have also done hospitals. I did one in Obohio Ibere. I did another one from foundation, the one in Obohio Ibere was restoration, the one in Oloku is from foundation to completion. And by the grace of God, I have also done or facilitated major electricity projects in places like Oponikpa in Ariama Usaka, Noro in also in Oboro, another one in Obohio Ibere, Udoru Oboro, Abama Olokoro, Amaeke Ibeku, Amake junction in Ibeku, that is around Okata. And another also in Umuagu Ngolori, and then, another one at world bar, another one at Isi Court. So, many things like that.

“By the grace of God, I am also the one who facilitated old Umuahia road going to Amakama in Olokoro, that one is nearing completion. It is about 80% completed and so many other things. Then, in terms of empowerment, I was able to do empowerment in different areas but particular one now that is really making everybody happy is the one I did in poultry where we provided galvanized cages, gave them N30,000, chicks at the point of lay, and then feed. The good news is that today, most of the people who got that, I did that twice, they are now self employed.”