Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya has presented his midterm scorecard to his immediate constituents of Umuahia Central State Constituency.

While presenting the scorecard on Wednesday at a meeting in Umuahia, the Speaker acknowledged that although he is Speaker for all Abians, and that everything he does as the State’s Number One Lawmaker, he does for the interest of all Abians, it was imperative he reported back to the people of his immediate constituency from where he was elected into the Abia State House of Assembly.

Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji who admonished all to shun jealousy, backbiting, malice, mischief, and falsehood whether in their personal relationships or in politics, said he was always open to constructive criticisms and that he looked forward to advice and suggestions that could make him perform even better and deliver greater democracy dividends to the people as his target was to ensure that the people he serves remain proud of him even long after he must have left office.

“One of the main reasons I called this meeting is to hear from you all; to know the areas we are doing well and the areas we need to improve upon as no man can claim to know it all.

“In whatever area you feel I need to improve, kindly feel very free to tell me. I am ready to take your advice and see how I can implement your suggestions as possible as I can because democracy is all about the people”, he said.

The Speaker who committed to reaching a minimum milestone of 70% completion level in all the projects embarked upon by him by December 2021 said solar-powered streetlights which he received from the Governor will soon be installed in different schools in the constituency so as to enhance their security, especially at night. He also promised that more streetlights will be installed in Umuahia.

Apart from a new health centre that will be built at Loretta since there is none in Ward 3 as of today, the Speaker also promised that more water projects will be embarked upon in more communities.

“When I started my water projects across communities a few years ago, some doubted our commitment and thought the projects were mere political tools and would not stand the test of time. But to the glory of God, the projects are still very functional today in all the communities”, he said.

In their separate remarks, Chief Charles Ogbonna, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Chief Uchenna Akwukwegbu (Bawas), the Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom among others commended the Speaker for his exceptional leadership attributes which have helped to keep the Abia State House of Assembly highly effective and peaceful despite being peopled by Members of different political parties, and for the numerous projects he has attracted to the constituency and even beyond, and those he has embarked upon directly by himself, describing his scorecard as “the incontrovertible evidence of dividends of democracy to the people”.

They however requested him to do more, saying, “Like Oliver Twist, we cannot stop asking for more”.Other individuals and groups in the Constituency also spoke in the same vein with some highlighting issues afflicting their areas for which they asked for the Speaker’s intervention.

Also present at the event are: Prof Udo Ogbonna, Hon Suleiman Ukandu, Sir Okechukwu Ndukwe, Hon Eze Okwulehie, Chief Frank Ibe, Hon Miller, Hon Uzoma Asiegbu, Hon Peter Obinna Iroegbu, Hon Andrew Uwaga, PWDs, students, traders artisans etc.

It was resolved that the meeting holds more regularly and cascaded down to other levels.
Some of the Speaker’s interventions (both the ones directly embarked upon by him and those he attracted from the Executive Arm) in the constituency and beyond include:

1. Potable water projects
2. Seven mini stadiums under construction at Isieke Ibeku; St Stephen’s, Umuahia; Ubakala; Ezeleke Umuopara; Usaka Ariam, Ikwuano; Ohuhu and Olokoro
3. Interventions in schools (reroofing, fencing, re-grassing, provision of water borehole, furniture, classroom blocks, toilet facilities, etc)
4. Provision of electricity transformers to several communities
5. Scholarships
6. Youth empowerment through ICT Training (close to 200 youths are currently under training free of charge since April)
7. Empowerment items (cars, Keke, start-up capital, etc) to youths and artisans
8. Construction and reconstruction of roads in Amuzukwu, Ugba, Afaraukwu, etc
9. Rehabilitation/equipping of health centers, among others