From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Member Representing Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochiynere, has been commended by indigenes of the Federal Constituency for his effort in ensuring that the Umuchima Erosion menace is captured in the 2024 budget as one of the critical projects that requires urgency.
This is just even as they said that the Hon Ikenga is restoring the peoples confidence in legislative representation.
Recall that Hon. Ikenga Imo who is the House Committee Chairman of Petroleum Downstream had moved a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the Green Chambers, drawing the attention of the Federal Government to the enormous loss of properties and human lives occasioned by the rampaging Umuchima erosion.
One of those leaders was Chief Sam Nwosu, a prominent community and thought leader in the Federal Constituency who stated this on Tuesday noted that Ikenga is restoring the People’s hope and confidence in legislative representation.
He added that, “the allocation of funds to the Umuchima erosion intervention in the 2024 budget is a massive step forward in our collective quest to recover and reclaim our land from environmental disaster. Issues and projects like this do not just find their way into the budget by accident, but only by the deliberate and intentional efforts of a good representative. And that is exactly what Ikenga has become to Ideato nation, a representative in whom we are pleased.”
He continued: “Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere severally narrated the environmental plight of Ideato on several occasions on the floor of the House of Representatives. And for the first time in a long while, Ideato spoke and was heard loud and clear in the Green Chambers, and for this we are proud and grateful to Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere. We will, in our own little way, continue to support him and his advocacy for speedy mobilization to site ahead of the rainy season.”
Reacting, Ikenga said that capturing the intervention project is a major step forward but added that it was not yet time for jubilation.
“In my opinion, it is time to be vigilant, it is time to intensify advocacy and call on the relevant agencies to expedite action and mobilize to site, engaging and deploying only competent firms to handle the intervention project because a lot is at stake for both Ideato people and the rest of Imo, Abia and Anambra state, who make use of that long stretch of road.
Though the Rep member had his reservations about the adequacy of the appropriated fund for the project, he however was full of appreciation to the Presidency and the leadership of the House of Representatives for their prompt response to his Save-Our-Soul calls on the floor of the National Assembly.
Ugochinyere promised not to stand down, in his advocacy and negotiations in the interest of Ideato people, stressing that though he lacked the executive power to award or execute projects at state or federal level, he will continue to advocate and push Ideato’s position on all issues of welfare, development and public safety.