By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
In furtherance of inspecting projects he expedited within his first year in office, Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday arrived at Umunneochi to inspect roads and schools constructed and renovated.
Recall that the Senate Chief Whip had earlier inspected completed and ongoing projects in Amokwe Item, Okoko Item, Ohafia, Arochukwu.
The former Abia governor assured the community of more developmental projects as he resumed the assessment of projects he facilitated all over his constituency, the projects inspected on Tuesday include: 3Km Asphalt road project at Uhaba Akawa Ariupka in Umunneochi Local Government Area (LGA); Rehabilitation of Eziamma community primary school, Nneato,Umunneochi LGA; completed borehole water project in Ezioba Autonomous community still in Umunneochi LGA.
Community dwellers on sighting Senator Kalu’s convoy, trooped out in expression of gratitude for the number of projects executed by their Senatorial representative.
Speaking in separate interviews to newsmen some stakeholders of the community appreciated Senator Kalu for his intervention, they said that the projects were the first of its Kind since the existence of the communities.
Describing Senator Kalu as the “light of Nneato”,Emmanuel Igwe, a community youth leader, said Senator Kalu will forever be remembered for his gesture to the community.
“We remain grateful to Senator Kalu for the construction of this road, this project will have a huge impact in every aspect of our lives. He is indeed God sent to the people of Abia state since his days as the governor till date as a Senator, he has facilitated so many roads, schools, boreholes, so many other projects in the constituency, in fact, we are very happy and may God continue to enlarge him”.
“He is a light of Nneato and he has our full support in every of his political endeavours”, Emmanuel said.
On his part, Hon. Charles Ugochukwu Onu, founder of Nneato Political Forum, commended Kalu for the renovation of the Eziamma community Primary School, stating that the project is in fulfillment of Senator Kalu’s campaign promises to the people.
His words “ we are very happy with him, because he has made our roads motorable and also renovated our schools and hospitals, we assure him our total support has he continue with his massive project in the constituency, with no going back he said.
At Ezioba Autonomous community, Mr. Arinze Pascal while speaking to newsmen outlined the benefits of the completed water projects to the people of the community. Arinze recalled the challenges experienced by the community prior to the construction of the bore hole.
He said “Before the installation of this project, the people encounter a lot of risks because they have to go to the stream in nearby forests in search of water. This borehole will have multiplier effects on the lives of our people. The topographic nature of the soil makes it very difficult to find water because you have to dig very deep if you decide to install the borehole as an individual, we have never had this kind of project”.
Kalu noted that the projects were dear to his heart because, according to him, the school was last renovated 20 years ago when he was governor of Abia State. Similarly, the road was his promise to the people during the campaign.