Chief Felix Chukwu is a businessman, a politician and the Chairman of the Federal Road Safety Commission. Born 51 years ago into the family of a nonagenarian father and a septuagenarian mother Nze/Lolo I.N. Chukwu of Amuzi in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State. He is the Chairman/CEO of Mcquintus Ltd an IT company with international certification as Microsoft, Dell and Hp range of computers and accessories distributor, providing IT solutions to various sectors of Nigerian economy with branches in the geo-graphical zones of the country with more than 60 staff. Chief Felix is an aspirant for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency seat in 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party. A former president of FUTO Alumni Association, an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School and a member of Lagos Country Club and Victoria Garden City Club of Lagos. Chief Felix Chukwu holds the traditional title of Omekaozuo 1 of Odinaizuoha Autonomous Community of Amuzi Ahiazu Mbaise and the Nwanne Dina Mba 1 of Lorji in Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo State. Chief Chukwu is a philanthropist, a welfarist and winner of numerous awards for his contributions to the development of society and humanity. In this special chat with our Editor News, Ohanele Casca, he talked about the efforts of the FRSC to make Nigeria roads safe. He also threw more light on his political ambition and what he intends to do differently to better the lives of his people if voted into the Green Chambers in 2015. Chief Chukwu also bared his mind on some national, state and local government issues. Excerpts:
TRUMPETA: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRMAN FRSC BOARD. WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AGENCY ESPECIALLY DURING THE YULETIDE?
Chief Felix: Thanks. I remain grateful to His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR for finding me worthy for the appointment as Chairman of a very important agency like FRSC. As a person, I see the gesture as recognition of myself and my people of Mbaise, Imo and the people of South-East. Coming to the FRSC Board, I discovered it is not an easy task, it is a very crucial assignment, an assignment that bothers on making Nigeria roads good and safe, ensuring that vehicles that ply the roads are in good order in line with acceptable international standards. Before now, I never understood the proactive contributions of FRSC to life sustenance when I see them on the road but today, I have seen that they are men sent by God on the road. I traveled by road this Christmas; I observed that FRSC had their staff on the road from Lagos to my village in Imo especially at flashpoints. I was in constant touch with the Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka on phone and we monitored the performance of men and women of the corps on other roads across the nation and their performance was super. FRSC mobilized all their men and resources on all roads ensuring that people were not delayed on the roads. Like in Onitsha, it took me only 15minutes to cross, that is a place that normally keep people for more than 5hours to cross. That was only possible through the effective patrol, monitoring, control of vehicular movement by men of the FRSC. I wish to commend the management and staff of the FRSC for a job well done and for making the nation proud during the yuletide. I must commend the Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka and all the State, area and sector commanders for a good performance. I want Nigerians to commend them, listen to them, obey the traffic laws and by so doing, we make the roads safer for all of us
TRUMPETA: THE NEW NUMBER PLATES AND THE TIMELINE FOR VEHICLE OWNERS TO COMPLY, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THAT?
Chief Felix: You see changing from the old number plate to a digitalized new number plate was not an easy decision by FRSC. The new number plates will help in data collection to enable us know how many vehicles on the roads, who owns these vehicles, where are they registered? In civilized countries you use such data for road design. With the data of the new plates we will know how many people use vehicles on a particular road to be able to say we need ambulance at some points as a proactive measure for safety. The data will also assist in checking crime especially this time of terrorism and kidnapping. The benefits of the new number plates are quite enormous. With the old numbers, we can’t achieve all that. It is unfortunate that we have to give a deadline but as you know, you can’t make an omelet without breaking an egg. We must do something revolutionary in order to sanitize our roads and vehicle registration for the good of Nigerians. FRSC is a very considerate agency. Remember, the deadline was last year October but we extended it to this year to enable Nigerians comply without much difficulty or complain of no money. I therefore advice motorists and vehicle owners to comply as it will help a lot so that where there is an accident, we can use the vehicle data to locate the owner and relations and take appropriate action for the safety of life.
TRUMPETA: HAS FRSC DONE ENOUGH ENLIGHTENMENT ON THAT?
Chief Felix: Yes, we have sensitized various bodies, NURTW, RTOAN, LUBOAN, we have enlightened the people even at motor parks. I believe Nigerians are fully aware but as a matter of fact, the new number plate is a collaboration between the state, local government and FRSC. FRSC produce the numbers and handover to the states and local government that sell them. It is being handled under a Joint Task Board and I believe the states and LGAs have a role to play in enlightening more people at the grassroots.
TRUMPETA: YOU WERE RECENTLY HONOURED BY YOUR PEOPLE WITH A CHIEFTAINCY TITLE, HOW DID IT GO?
Chief Felix: Yes my community, led by HRH Eze Dr James Okoronkwo decided to recognize me. I am one person that believes in my community, I have tried in my own little way to contribute to the progress of my community and the people and will continue to do so God willing. I must invest in the youths, less privileged people to alleviate the challenges they face. On the 26th December 2013 which is the one year anniversary of HRH Eze Dr Okoronkwo on the throne and one year anniversary of Odinaizuoha Autonomous Community, the Eze and the people decided I should be honoured on that day with the chieftaincy title of Omekaozuo 1 of Odinizuoha. To me it is a huge honour to be recognized by my own community for the selfless contributions I have made. To be honoured by an Eze who mounted the throne on popular demand without opposition unlike in some communities where Ezeship tussle have caused a lot of crisis. To be honoured by an Eze of HRH James Okoronkwo sound reputation and status, considering that he was not giving it to me because am a money bag, considering that he was not giving it to me because am paying for the title, I accepted the title giving to me by my loving people of Amuzi.
TRUMPETA: HOW DO YOU COMBINE BUSINESS AND YOUR ASSIGNMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF FRSC BOARD?
Chief Felix: I put in everything in whatever I want to achieve. With God on my side, I am equipped to combine all I do well as a businessman, a politician and the board chairman. Given the training we got as pioneer students of FUTO, the school was like a training camp for soldiers during our time, given the background of hard work cultivated in us by our parents and given my determination, I have been coping with all my responsibilities. I cannot afford to fail Nigerians. I cannot afford to disappoint Mr. President who has confidence in appointing me. I cannot fail my people of Mbaise because we respect hard work and I cannot fail the South East people. I believe in honesty and dedication in service. I have coped in politics, in business and as you know, Chairman of FRSC is a part time job. We convene for meeting and formulate policies, sign documents and monitor performance and compliance and these are not on daily basis.
TRUMPETA: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN POLITICS?
Chief Felix: I have been a card carrying member of the PDP since 2005. In 2011, I was among those who transverse the land and breath of Imo and Mbaise campaigned for Mr. President and the PDP. Remember, the Deputy Governor designate under PDP in 2011 and now Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri is my sister and we needed to give the team all support. I hosted a luncheon to raise funds for the gubernatorial election in 2011 for PDP. I am a major financier of activities of our party to ensure we have victory at elections and it paid off that Mbaise delivered PDP candidates all through. It was after the 2011 campaigns that my spirit to improve the lives of my people became more ignited and I say to myself, I am going to do things differently to ensure that everybody in my constituency have a feel of fresh democratic dividends. So in Jan 2013, I launched my campaign organization informally to propagate my political philosophy
TRUMPETA: THERE IS CRISIS IN PDP WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?
Chief Felix: If you look at the supposed crisis in PDP its just people fighting for relevance, that’s the way I see it. A lot of people who have hitherto lost relevance are trying to arm twist the federal government to get relevance. The President and the NWC of our party under Bamanga Tukur need not be discouraged by the defection threats. The question to ask is, those defecting what’s their political value and do they really have followers? My advice is that our party should remain focused as those who have been spoiling PDP in the past are on their way to APC and other parties to spread their bad virus. Experiences have shown that those that move from party to party do so to meet their selfish political goals not for ideological purposes or for the benefits of Nigeria. Experience have also shown that they don’t survive in the new parties and they still turn back to beg for relevance in PDP. I am not worried about the crisis but yes the party is doing something in the area of reconciliation, consolidation and PDP will come out stronger. Recently, there have been return of serious minded politicians to PDP and others will soon follow. Mr President is a pragmatic leader, appreciated in the international community for being a democrat and with leadership of our great party, we will wither the storm. Look at APC, who made up the party? Politicians who lost relevance in PDP are the bulk of its leadership and believe you me, when they try in that already failing party, they will come begging. A former chieftain of PDP left the party in 2007 to vie for presidency in defunct AC, when he failed; he came back to PDP, vied for presidency under the party and also failed now they are moving to APC. They are strange bed fellows and Nigerians should not take the decampees to APC or the party itself serious. They say one thing against PDP today, the next day they come back praising our great party because we are the best
TRUMPETA: COMING HOME, WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN IMO?
Chief Felix: Unfortunately when Rochas came to power, people were celebrating and I told them, it’s not time to celebrate, let’s give him some time to map out his programme and start implementing. Then the bulldozers started rolling, we said oh this man is ready to work but today, check, how many of those projects are completed? None! The completed projects what’s the quality? You see substandard road projects, bogus ill conceived projects executed by unqualified foreign companies that trade on capital flight to the detriment of Imolites. These entire poor quality jobs are just meant to rub the personal ego of the governor and that is not governance. Incidentally I have a friend in the present government, Nick Oparandudu, we talk on these things. The government claims he gives free education, pay stipends to school children and things that will make the less informed clap. Free education in Imo yet IMSU lost accreditation in so many of their courses. Imopoly graduates were disgraced out of NYSC Scheme due to non accreditation of courses arising from poor infrastructure. The quality and standards are going down so all the dancing to the gallery policies are they helping the state with the huge debt profile of the state and closure of banks in Imo during the Christmas which cause hardship to Imo people. The only way to recognize the roads Rochas claimed he is doing is any road that cant last about six months or roads with one inch asphalt. The man has failed Imo people. Let me tell you, in 2015, PDP will surely take over power from him to correct all the wrong he has inflicted on the state
TRUMPETA: DO YOU THINK PDP HAS LEARNT THEIR LESSON?
Chief Felix: I must commend the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan which has brought development to the country and reactivated some moribund infrastructure in the country. Today, our railways are back on track, Power has improved and there is freedom of information and expression. Igbos now head key federal government ministries. Foreign Affairs, Finance, Power, Health, Aviation, infact Ndi Igbo has never had it so good before. Today, we have an international airport in Enugu. I must also commend my sister and the performing Minister for Foreign Affairs who has contributed in repositioning Nigeria among international community. Nigeria addressed the UN opening session for the first time. International community now has a lot of regards for our president and country. PDP have learnt their lesson, we have been out of government because the party in 2011 imposed some candidates on the people which backfired. My advice for 2015 is, if we are really serious to take over power from Okorocha, we must do things differently. We need to present good candidates that command the respect of the people and those that can win elections. It is not every politician that can win election. People are good in different ways but only credible candidates who are ready to render service selflessly must be put forward rather than those who are coming into government to enrich themselves.
TRUMPETA: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN IMO, DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AT THE GRASSROOTS?
Chief Felix: Ohakim conducted LGA election and elected chairmen and councilors who took charge of the LGAs in accordance with the constitution. Rochas administration came in and dissolved them and appointed transitional caretakers and solad. We have seen these things but the truth is that those people are not there to serve the interest of people, they are there to serve the interest of the governor, it must be on record that the sole administrator things, the transitional caretakers thing have not really helped the local government system or the lives of people at the grassroots. They are there to pay salaries and the balance the governor takes for his personal use. The earlier we have elected council members, that the only way development can get the grassroots for now, its coming and we need to do that fast.
TRUMPETA: HOW WILL YOU RATE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS?
Chief Felix: Well we can’t stay here to tell you if they have tried or not but one thing is that they have tried their best based on their capacity, their level of experience, contact and somebody cannot give what he doesn’t have. The woman representing us at the Imo House was elected on the platform of PDP before she eloped into another party. She has done her best and as everybody knows; her best was not good enough. The man at the House of Representatives, Hon Nnanna Igbokwe, my brother and friend has also tried his best. Remember he was in the Imo House of Assembly for 4 years and another 4years as Chief of staff to the speaker of Imo House of Assembly now he has stayed 2years at the Green Chamber and is going to stay the remaining 2 years in the National Assembly making it another 4 years, in all he has spent 12 years making his contributions within his ability. For now, I want our people to check the man who can re-engineer the system, re-invigorate the system and make representation have positive impact on the human and material resources in Ahiazu Ezinihitte federal constituency. When you look at it whatever the present representatives can do they have done during the period within the limits of their ability. Sending them back will be over laboring them, pushing them to exhaustion beyond their capacity. 12 years is a long time for anybody to do what he can do for his people, Hon Nnanna Igbokwe has written his name in gold for being there for a record 12 years. What I would say to the people is try somebody else.
