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The Media office of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia North Senatorial Zone at the weekend responded to a political group , Abia Rejoice over attraction of Uturu-Akara road in Abia in the senatorial district.
The group had in an article last Saturday narrated how their Principal , Dr Uche Ogah attracted the ongoing Uturu-Akara road construction in Abia North through a letter written and addressed to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
While appreciating the former minister’s efforts to the road project as cited in the letter he wrote in 2019, Kalu’s media office in a statement signed by Emmanuel Godswill and made available to newsmen on Sunday
explained that Kalu made case for the road in 2022.
“ If the roads were considered as duly requested by the former minister, it could have featured in 2019 budget, 2020 or even 2021 budget”, the statement said .
It continued “Until yesterday, the letter the former minister wrote was unknown to the Sen. Kalu as he was neither notified nor copied in the letter “.
The statement maintained ; “ We appreciate Dr Uche Sampson Ogah for the letter he shared on the internet through Abia Rejoice concerning Uturu-Akara road.
“The idea behind writing the letter to the former president in 2019 was for the good of Abia North and we commend him for his good concern.
“However, writing letters could not get the job done as appropriation of such projects transcends beyond mere letters. The letters shared by Abia Rejoice bears 2019 and if the letters were acted upon as claimed it would have appeared in 2019 budgets but never did; Not even 2020 or 2021.”
It clarified “For the purpose of clarification to the good people of Abia North, Senator Kalu is not in contest with anyone on the issues bordering attraction of infrastructure to Abia state and Abia North in particular. He appreciates and applauds all efforts and he is personally thankful to the former minister for the efforts he made through his letters .
“Senator Kalu’s projects intervention drive is so conspicuous that it gave him outstanding validation beyond Abia-North and this has been proven beginning from his first term in office which earned him twice in a row award on “constituency development” and “Overall Best Senator in Constituency Projects and Human Relations Award”.
The Media office explained that Kalu pursued two roads simultaneously from the federal government in 2022 . The roads , it said were Uturu—Akara road and Ini Local government of Akwaibom state -Itumbuzo—Bende road. It paid glowing tribute to four individuals who the Office said their support made the roads a success. They include Senators Chris Ekpenyong of Akwaibom North West Senatorial zone ; Adamu Aliero who was Senate Committee Chairman on Works ; former minister of works , Babatunde Fashola and former President Muhammadu Buhari .
The Office said “Senator Kalu held a private meeting with Fashola and Aliero over the two roads. The minister had insisted that the roads are state government roads adding that the ministry is particular about federal roads.
“Not relenting, Senator Kalu approached the then President Muhammadu Buhari and explained to him how the Uturu-Akara and Bende—Itumbuzo roads had turned to the kidnapping hub in Abia North due to its terrible conditions.
“He made the President understand that waiting for the state government to take care of the roads would take longer time and pleaded with him to consider the road for the sake of his constituency.
“When Kalu said in a live video that it was a parting gift from the Former President Buhari, it was indeed a parting gift as the president directed that the road be considered for budgetary purposes and that was exactly how the two roads were appropriated through the Ministry of work in 2022/2023 budget. “
“Kalu was only excited that these two roads received the attention he demanded hence the need to brief his constituents on the progress of the ongoing projects”, it further noted
The Office stressed that despite challenges associated with building roads, rehabilitation of schools and other projects as a legislator, Kalu has continued to add value to the roads in Abia North.
“These are part of the reasons the prestigious Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) bestowed on him an “Honourary Fellowship Award” due to his commitment to his constituency”, it said
In the same vein , the Office recalled that Kalu was adjudged the Best Senator of the Year in Constituency Projects by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
It said “Many wonder and ponder on how Senator Kalu has been able to demonstrate and prove himself as the action man he has always been.
“The former Minister and Abia Rejoice should understand that award and execution of projects goes beyond writing and stamping of letters which private and public officials do regularly. Even communities write open letters on their needs and go as far as publications in national newspapers. The strategy to get the job done is what Senator Kalu did differently.
“As members of same political party with friendship that span across years, we appreciate the former minister and urge him to call his boys in Abia Rejoice to order. We have passed the era of using foul language to address issues and Abia Rejoice’s unwarranted, needless and frivolous languages were only but surprising.
“Senator Kalu’s consciousness in the affairs of Abia North is overwhelmingly noticeable through his commitments to duties and his plans remain doing more for Abia North” .
