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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Supporters of the Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, have intensified calls for his re-election in 2027, citing more than 200 constituency development projects, educational scholarships, healthcare interventions and industrial investments reportedly facilitated by the former Abia State governor since his election to the National Assembly in 2019.
The supporters maintained that Kalu’s legislative experience and involvement in attracting federal projects had contributed to infrastructure development, educational opportunities and economic activities across the five local government areas of Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato and Umunneochi.
In a review of the senator’s representation released at the weekend, a stakeholder from Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Olunkwa Felix, said the assessment of Kalu’s performance and political future should be based on verifiable projects, human capital development and the impact of constituency interventions on residents.
Felix identified road construction, school rehabilitation, scholarships, healthcare support, agricultural empowerment and industrial development among the areas in which Kalu’s supporters credited him with facilitating projects and programmes.
According to the review, more than 70 road projects have been facilitated across Abia North, alongside additional construction and rehabilitation works captured in federal budget provisions.
The road interventions reportedly cover communities in Isuikwuato, including Ezera, Umuelem, Ovim, Uturu, Acha and Ozara, as well as Nneato, Isuochi, Lokpaukwu and Ngodo in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
Other projects were identified in parts of Bende and the Arochukwu-Ohafia axis.
The review maintained that improved rural road networks would ease the movement of agricultural produce, reduce transportation difficulties, support commercial activities and improve access to schools, healthcare facilities and markets.
On education, Kalu was credited with facilitating the construction and rehabilitation of more than 100 school blocks and classrooms across the senatorial district.
The interventions reportedly included the distribution of school desks, textbooks, uniforms, school bags, sandals and other learning materials to pupils in public schools.
Felix said investment in educational infrastructure remained important to improving learning conditions, particularly in rural communities where inadequate classrooms and teaching facilities continued to affect educational development.
The review, however, stressed the need for sustained maintenance of school buildings, provision of teaching resources and other measures to ensure that infrastructure investments translated into improved learning outcomes.
It also highlighted overseas scholarships and international training opportunities reportedly facilitated by Kalu for beneficiaries from the district.
According to the account, some beneficiaries have undertaken specialised training in China, including programmes relating to cybersecurity and international economic cooperation, while others have pursued or are pursuing Medicine and Surgery in South America and Europe, as well as postgraduate studies in China.
The programmes were described as investments in human capital development intended to equip beneficiaries with professional skills and specialised knowledge.
In healthcare, the review credited Kalu with facilitating a one-year free medical treatment programme for more than 500 constituents through a health insurance arrangement.
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The initiative was designed to provide eligible beneficiaries with access to medical consultations, investigations and treatment at participating healthcare facilities, thereby reducing the financial burden of healthcare on vulnerable households.
Industrial development also featured in the assessment, with supporters pointing to projects associated with Igbere, including a cashew-processing factory, a solar-panel manufacturing facility under development and a tricycle assembly plant known as Aku R’ulo.
The projects were presented as efforts to stimulate local production, create employment opportunities and strengthen economic activities within Abia North.
The review noted that a functional cashew-processing facility could provide markets for agricultural produce and generate opportunities for farmers, transporters, processors and distributors, while the solar-panel and tricycle projects could support technical employment, assembly, distribution, repairs and maintenance.
It, however, acknowledged that the actual economic impact of the investments would depend on their operational status, production capacity and ability to sustain employment.
On youth and women empowerment, Kalu was credited with facilitating the distribution of vocational and agricultural equipment, including sewing machines and other tools intended to support artisans, small businesses and agricultural production.
The review maintained that such interventions could help beneficiaries establish businesses, improve productivity and develop independent sources of income.
It also called for greater attention to farmer cooperatives, improved seedlings, modern agricultural methods, storage facilities, agro-processing and access to agricultural finance.
Beyond constituency interventions, the assessment highlighted Kalu’s legislative experience, including his previous position as Chief Whip of the Senate and his current chairmanship of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission.
The commission was established to support development across the South-East, particularly in addressing infrastructure deficits, erosion and economic recovery.
According to the review, Kalu’s committee responsibilities provide an opportunity for legislative oversight of the commission’s programmes, including monitoring project implementation and ensuring accountability in the utilisation of public resources.
It maintained that effective representation should also be measured through legislative activities, sponsorship of bills and motions, committee assignments and advocacy for federal projects and institutions.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Felix urged constituents to assess elected representatives on the basis of verifiable achievements and measurable benefits rather than political claims alone.
He stressed the importance of distinguishing completed projects from ongoing construction, budgeted interventions and proposed investments, particularly in determining the extent of development recorded across the district.
The review also called for an examination of the distribution of projects among the five local government areas to ensure that communities benefited equitably from constituency interventions.
While Kalu’s supporters argued that his experience and engagement with federal institutions provided a basis for continuity in representation, the assessment maintained that accountability, project completion, infrastructure maintenance and sustainable economic opportunities should remain central to public evaluation of his performance ahead of the 2027 elections.
