By Vincent Kalu
The member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in Anambra State, Hon. Dom Okafor was on the hot seat recently, as his constituents organised a town hall meeting to interrogate him on his stay in the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly.
After presenting his scorecard, Hon Okafor heaved a sigh of relief following the vote of confidence his constituents passed on him.
Representing a federal constituency like Aguata in Anambra State is not an easy task; it demands wholehearted commitments because the people have an appetite for interrogating their representative – how is doing, how he is relating with them, and what he’s doing to get what is due to them and the level of projects he has attracted to the constituency.
The event was supported by YIAGA Africa Centre for Legislative Engagement, a pro-democracy non-governmental organisation, which seeks to encourage hard work and quality representation, as well as bridge the gap between lawmakers and their constituents to increase effective and quality representation.
Addressing the gathering, the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor commended Okafor for his doggedness in giving Aguata people and Anambra a voice at the green chambers, which shows his admiration and love for his constituents.
This according to him has endeared the lawmaker to his constituents.
He encouraged him to continue with the positive representation, which according to him are the core values of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The governor promised to accord the federal lawmaker maximum co-operation to enable him succeed as his own representative.
The National Chairman of APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa, expressed happiness with the exemplary leadership shown by Okafor and pointed out that APGA is a political party that always identifies individuals with the milk of human kindness.
He asked for continuous support of the APGA administration in order for them to succeed and to deliver democracy dividends to all parts of the state.
The Coordinator of YIAGA Africa Centre for Legislative Engagement, Dr. Sam Oguche, in his remarks, said that the scorecard by the lawmaker will serve as an instrument and benchmark for his assessment for the next one year and expressed optimism that going forward, the legislator will cover more grounds and reach unreached areas, adding that the organisation will continue to back the lawmaker for more success.
Other major stakeholders including the member representing Aguata Two Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Tony Muobike; the Transition Committee Chairman of the council area, Dr. Chibueze Offorbuike and the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Victor Ezeoke, commended Okafor’s scorecard on representation, oversight and constituency projects, while suggesting areas of improvement before passing a vote of confidence on the federal lawmaker and the APGA administration in the state.
According to them, this event was the first of its kind in Aguata Federal Constituency and urged the people to always speak with one voice for an improved performance.
Responding. Okafor revealed that the town hall has given him the opportunity to review his performance in past one year, interact and present his scorecard to his constituents as their legislator.
He unveiled his eight-point blueprint for the people of Aguata Federal Constituency, which included building bridges for effective governance, empowering youths and fostering innovations, revolutionising agriculture; education and empowerment, healthcare access; transportation network; sports development and regular constituency engagement.
He said his membership of 16 Standing committees of the 10th Federal House of Representatives, moving five motions, sponsoring three bills, executing five projects, and 11 categories of empowerments in the year under review as some of his few achievements.
He said the ravaging impacts of erosion sites at Aguluezechukwu, Igboukwu, Uga, Ekwulobia, Achina and Umuchu which needs urgent intervention were the reasons for his first motion on floor of the house in 2023, shortly after his inauguration in June, 2023.
During the occasion, he also gave out 50 forms to each of the 20 wards for 1,000 free eye medical intervention, which he plans to carry out later in the year and charged the president generals to ensure that all parts of every ward is accommodated in the exercise.
Also in attendance at the town hall meeting were Aguata leaders, including traditional rulers and presidents general of all the 14 communities in the federal constituency, government officials, political stakeholders from all the political parties, religious leaders, organisations and professional bodies, and members of Ndi Aguata from all the 20 wards and 14 communities.