Abia South deserves better after 20 years of poor representation -Enyinna

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

A senatorial candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Abia South, Dr Kasarachi Enyinna, has criticised the quality of representation in the district over the past 20 years, saying residents deserve better dividends of democracy.

Enyinna, who is seeking election to the Senate, said the time has come for younger people to question the performance of their representatives and demand accountability for projects, policies and other interventions meant to improve their lives.

He said his ambition was driven by the need to give the people a stronger voice at the Federal Government level and address what he described as longstanding gaps in infrastructure, healthcare, business support, and youth development.

“I believe that Abia South has been very poorly represented in terms of the dividends of democracy. If you travel throughout Abia South, you will see how poorly our representatives have performed in the last 20 years,” he said.

Enyinna argued that the responsibilities of a legislator goes beyond occupying a seat in the National Assembly, stressing that effective representation also required oversight, policy development and initiatives capable of improving the welfare of constituents.

“We also believe that, for younger people like us who have come of age, it is time to start asking questions. And those questions are real questions. What is the job of a legislator? The job of a legislator is also to provide oversight and bring forward policies that will enhance the community. Those things are very key and cardinal to us,” he said.

Enyinna challenged voters to assess the performance of their current representatives and decide whether they want a continuation of the existing arrangement or a change in leadership.

“As we begin campaigning, ask yourself: Do you still want to remain the way you have been for the last 20 years? Do you believe that the same person who has been representing you for the last 20 years has done far better or has performed reasonably well? If not, make an alternative choice,” he said.

He identified healthcare infrastructure, road projects, and legislative interventions as some of the issues voters should consider when assessing the performance of their representatives.

“Where is the healthcare infrastructure? Where are the road projects attracted by the senator? What policies has the senator introduced in the last 20 years? What has he really delivered to the people of Abia South? Those are the real questions we should be asking,” he said.

The NDC candidate promised to work towards ensuring that constituents could point to tangible achievements at the end of his proposed four-year tenure, adding that he would collaborate with relevant authorities to advance development across the district.

“I believe I am here to give myself to the service of others, to give the people a better voice in the Federal Government and to bring greater hope to Abia South,” he said.

On economic development, Enyinna said he would prioritise Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, by pursuing policies aimed at supporting businesses and easing the burden of taxation on traders, manufacturers and other entrepreneurs.

He said he would work with the Federal Government to explore measures that would improve the business environment, particularly in Aba, where many residents depend on commerce, manufacturing and other small-scale enterprises for their livelihoods.

“I also want to ensure that Aba, which is the economic capital of Abia State, has a better opportunity to grow. I will work with the Federal Government to introduce policies that will help businesses, including addressing tax issues and finding ways to reduce the tax burden on businesses in Aba,” he said.

The candidate also pledged to promote digital literacy and expand access to finance, particularly for young people and small businesses that struggle to obtain funding from formal financial institutions.

He said plans to establish digital centres across the district would provide opportunities for residents to acquire relevant skills and improve their prospects in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“We are now in the digital age, so we are hoping to establish digital centres where people can acquire digital skills,” he said.

He added that he would work to connect local businesses with development finance institutions (DFIs) and other international funding organisations, arguing that access to affordable finance was essential for business expansion and job creation.

“We also want to provide businesses with access to finance, which is very important, particularly for businesses located in Aba and across Abia State. We want to help them access funds from development finance institutions (DFIs) and other international institutions that many people have been unable to access,” he said.

Enyinna further promised to attract investment to Aba and the oil-producing communities in Abia South, which he said had not received adequate attention in terms of infrastructure and development.

He said the needs of the oil-producing communities should be addressed through improved infrastructure and greater economic opportunities, adding that their development would be an important part of his agenda for the district.

“We also want to attract a lot of investment to Aba in particular and to my own area, the oil-producing communities, which have not received the attention they deserve in terms of infrastructure and have suffered years of abandonment,” he said.

Beyond economic development, he pledged to support initiatives in road construction, healthcare, empowerment and youth development, saying he would work with both the state and Federal Governments to advance projects that would benefit the people.

The candidate said his broader ambition is to connect the ingenuity of Aba and the economic potential of Abia State to international markets and investment opportunities.

“I also want to use this opportunity to connect Abia and the ingenuity of Aba to the international community,” he said.

He called on voters in Abia South to support his candidacy, promising to pursue a development agenda that would give residents tangible reasons to believe in the possibility of better representation.

“We want to see a better Abia South that works for everybody over the next four years,” he said.