My dear Elders, leaders, women, youths and people of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency,
It is with a great sense of pride and gratitude that I write to you all on the occasion of my first year anniversary as your representative in the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I am constrained to update you vide this medium in lieu of a physical constituency briefing due to the current lockdown and social distancing protocols imposed on our dear land to combat the ravaging corona virus pandemic which has now entered the community transmission phase in Nigeria.
I wish to begin by stating that the rare privilege of being overwhelmingly chosen as your representative is not only humbling, but also a lifetime honour that can never be taken for granted. I view the trust and confidence reposed in me as a rousing call to duty with an accompanying responsibility to serve the people and be accountable to them.
My dear constituents, the last one year has been a challenging one in the life of our country Nigeria, our dear State of Imo, and our very own Mbaike federal constituency. We give glory to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to weather the stormy situation in our world today. The last legislative year was very eventful and challenging to both citizens and government. The year was marked with a mixed bag of ups and downs. The sharp drop in the revenue earnings of the Federation occasioned by the low price of crude oil in the international market, coupled with the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, affected not only the economy, but all spheres of governance.
CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS
Budget of the previous year as you are aware underperformed in terms of budgetary provisions and project implementation. The complications have stretched to 2020 where the entire world is on its knees due to the crippling effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges, I have been able to embark on the following projects to our constituency;
“ Donation/installation/energization of transformers to six (6) communities in Mbaike.
“ Ongoing construction of MBAIKE Civic Center at Nwaorieubi.
“ Renovation of market stalls at Orie Amakohia, Ikeduru
“ Ongoing construction of Orie Ogbaku/Obidi/Okpuala/Agwa road
“Ongoing construction of Amaukwu/Umueze Ogwa/Ogbommi/ Ekeoha road.
“ Construction of classroom block at Ubahaeze Orodo Primary School.
“ Ongoing construction of Oil Mill at Oburo, Umuaro, Ogwa.
“ Free medical screening and treatment of patients at Ubomiri.
“ Construction of classroom block, Principal’s Office, and a science laboratory at Technical School Ugirike, Ikeduru.
“ Facilitation of employment for Mbaike indigene from Amakohia Ikeduru in one of the federal institutions of higher learning.
“ Energization of Umuoziri, Iyishi transformer.
“ Procurement and distribution of Tricycles to Mbaike indigenes to support local transportation.
“ Distribution of sewing and grinding machines to Mbaike women.
“ Ten million naira (N10,000,000) Market Empowerment/Start Up Capital disbursed to the enterprising women of Mbaike.
“ Ongoing rehabilitation of Eke Iho-Ubakuru-Orie Mbieri road. Drainage started.
“ Provision of solar street lights to various communities in Mbaitoli and Ikeduru
In addition to the above, I embarked on massive enlightenment campaigns in the constituency and provided hand sanitizers, as well as food items as palliatives to cushion the harsh economic realities occasioned by the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic. I also embarked on the Training of Mbaike youths in Agro Business through the Ministry of Niger Delta after which start up kits were given to the participants to start their own businesses.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
The great people of Mbaike sent me to Abuja to make laws for the good governance of our country and the wellbeing of the people. This is the primary duty you imposed on me. I am happy to report that in the last one year, I have in the execution of my law making mandate, discharged the following lawmaking functions;
MOTIONS PRESENTED:
“ Motion on the urgent need to encourage relevant agencies of government to stop the production and circulation of fake drinks and products.
“ Motion for the urgent need to protect Nigeria workers from forceful compulsory leave and massive job losses.
“ Motion for the urgent need to provide and protect the interest of blind students (Special Students) especially in our institutions of higher leaning.
“ Motion for urgent need for Nigeria to adopt a long term social and economic development framework.
“ Motion of urgent public importance on the uprise of cultism in Nigeria.
I am please to inform you that these motions received the overwhelming support of my colleagues and were ALL passed with the “speed of light” with motion number 5 voted as the *motion of the week* when it was moved.
PENDING MOTIONS:
“ Need to repair and provide drainage facilities at the Eke-Mele, Akabo section of the Owerri-Okigwe road.
“ Need to curtail escalating extortion of citizens by security agents.
“ Call on the Federal Government to intervene in the ecological disaster afflicting the people of Owo-Amakaohia, and Eke-Mele Akabo,
BILLS PRESENTED:
“ A Bill for an Act for the establishment of the South East Development Commission Co sponsored by the entire 43 members of the South East
“A Bill for an Act to establish the National Boundary Task Force for the protection of persons and prevention of communal clashes.
PENDING BILLS:
“ A Bill for an Act for the establishment of National Coast Guard.
“ A Bill for the amendment of the Marriage Act.
“ A Bill for the amendment of the Electoral Act to provide for the punishment of any politician or political agent who coerce a returning officer to declare election results under duress.
PETITIONS:
I vehemently presented and argued a petition at the floor of the House in protest against the exclusion of the South East in the controversial $22.7b loan request by the Federal Government. Unfortunately, the loan request was subsequently approved. But, I shall not relent in pointing out the injustice in it until it is amended.
MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES
Your humble representative belongs to the following committees in the House of Representatives;
“ Deputy Chairman- House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs
“ Chairman- House Adhoc Committee to investigate the alleged bribery allegation against the House.
“ Member- House Adhoc Committee to review the Legislative Agenda of the 9th Assembly.
“ Member- House Adhoc Committee on Ogoni clean up
“ Member- House Standing Committees on Banking and Finance, Financial Crime, Women in Parliament, Steel, North East Development Commission, and Public Accounts.
“ Chairman- Steering Committee of the House Committee on Niger Delta, to organise the first ever Legislative Dialogue on the Niger Delta.
With these memberships, I am energized sufficiently to ensure that Mbaike remains central in the political, economic, social and infrastructural agenda of Nigeria.
My dear constituents, these strides have been made possible because of your unalloyed support, wise counsel and constructive criticisms. I am proud to represent one of the most vibrant constituencies composed of brilliant statesmen and industrious women and youth. The feedback mechanism here is flawless and this accounts for the people friendly representation you have seen so far.
As I begin another year of service to you, I once more solicit your support and prayers to help me sustain and advance this momentum of growth so that at the end of this term, you all will be proud to have moulded one of the most progressive eras of our dear constituency. On my part, I pledge on my honour not to betray the trust you all have given me and I will do my utmost to sustain the unity, peace and progress of Mbatoili/Ikeduru Federal Constituency.
Long Live Mbaike
Long Live Imo State
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Mbaikeeeee…… Expect More
Yours in service,
RT Hon Henry Nwawuba
