From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Not less than 50 schools in Abia-North Senatorial District have attained various stages of completion following the reconstruction works facilitated by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing the zone in the 10th Assembly.
Full construction works in each of the five Local Government Areas have since commenced on the school structures as captured in the 2024 budget submitted by Kalu.
Most of the schools were built during the lawmaker’s tenure as governor of the state but have since been abandoned by subsequent administrations.
Further facts by the SUN on Monday revealed that among other infrastructural Projects over 50 classroom blocks have either been freshly built or reconstructed by Kalu who chairs the Senate Committee on Privatisation since he was first elected to the Senate in 2019.
Speaking on the development, Kalu noted that his efforts are aimed at transforming the educational sector in his Senatorial zone in order to ease and expedite the teaching and learning process for both staff and students.
The schools as captured in the Oji River 2024 Budget are Arochukwu Local Government are; Community Primary School, Nde Okereke Abam; Okweji Memorial School Ozu Abam; Community Primary School Amuru Abam; Community Primary School Ahuma Abam; Obiene Central School Obiene Ututu; Umuye Primary School, Ikwun Ihechiowa; Diogukwu Memorial Primary School, Achara Ihechiowa; Aggrey Primary School 2, Ibom; Arochukwu Primary School 2, Atani and Mary Slessor Primary School.
In Bende Local Government, the schools under construction are Apuanu Community School Item. 2. Ntalakwu Central School, Itumbuzor; Etiti Ulo Primary School; Umuenyere Community School, Alayi; Ngwu/Amankwo Community School, Uzuakolo; Onu Ibina Primary School, Igbere; Amaohoro Community Primary School Nkpa; Ugwueke Central School, Ugwueke; Community Primary School Okai Item and Amachi Primary School, Achi Umuahia Ezechi.
Advanced stages of construction have also been reached at Isuikwuato Local Government the schools are; Otampa Central Primary School; Umuerem Primary School; Ezere Central School, Ozara Central School; Nunya Central Primary School; Uturu Community Primary School Uturu; Akpukpa Comment School, Uturu; Umunnekwu Agbo Community School; Ahaba Imenyi Central School and Achara Central School, Achara Uturu.
While in Ohafia Local Government construction works have also commenced in the following schools; Ujurueze Community Primary School; Nkwebi Community Primary School, Nkwebi; Amuma Community Primary School, Amuma; Ndi Uduma Awoke Primary School; Isiugwu Community School, Isiugwu; Amaogudu Community School; Amurie Primary School Nkporo; Elughu Community School, Nkporo; Biama Community Primary School, Amuoba, Amaeke and Ukwa Community School, Nkporo.
Umunneochi Local Government schools under reconstruction are; Uru Primary School, Lokpaukwu Umuchieze; Isuochi Central School, Amuda Isuochi; Lokpanta State Primary School, Lokpanta Umuchieze; Lomara Central Primary School, Lomara Isuochi Ndiawa Community Primary School, Ndiawa Isuochi; Obulo Primary School, Nneato; Ngodo Town Primary School, Isuochi; Eziama Central School, Eziama Nneato; Lekwesi Community Primary School, Umuchieze and Akawa Community Primary School, Nneato.
Kalu noted that the renovated schools, which were constructed by him as Governor, were dilapidated and have not received attention since he left office in 2007.
“We will continue to deliver on our promises to the Abia North Senatorial zone by changing the face of our schools that have been abandoned since I left as Governor in 2007.
“Many of these schools are more than being dilapidated, and step by step, we are renovating and rebuilding all the schools in the Abia North Senatorial zone, ” Kalu said in a statement.
Reacting to the Development, a prominent Party Stakeholder in Ohaekwe Ward in Arochukwu Mr. Kamsi Ogba was full of praise for the Senator.
He described Kalu as a promises Keeper.
“We are happy with the reconstruction of Ohaeke Central School by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. In the past, some politicians came and made all kinds of promises to us drug campaigns and left, and that was the last time we saw them.
“But Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has distinguished himself anytime he makes a promise he makes sure he fulfils it. Now we have seen the schools that he is building, and we have seen evidence that we can showcase to others. We have also seen his impacts in other areas such as solar lights and roads that he has built.
“Everyone is proud and happy because of him from the community, religious groups, adults, youths and children we are all happy.”