By Bernard Ogbe From Abuja
Leveraging on the huge responsibilities vested on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, his response, measured by his achievements as a Senator representing Abia North District, distinguishes him from other senators. He can be described as a dutifully diligent leader in his approaches to the daring needs of the people he represents.
Orji Uzor Kalu is once again ramping up his Community Town Hall Meetings with his people back in his constituency to access the collective notions of the people, on the mandate given to him and to also gather more complaints and ways forward in improving the living standards of the people.
It is rather not supposed to be an act to politicize the Town Hall Meetings of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. He’s doing what is expected of the mandate given to him. Moreover, this is not the first of its kind. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has the history of always visiting the grassroots. He is a grassroots leader. He has direct contacts with the traditional rulers, Youths, Mothers and religious leaders in all communities in his District and beyond. All these he achieved over the years through town Hall Meetings and grassroots mobilization.
It was not hidden. they expressed their gratitudes to the chief whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for all the good dividends of democracy he has so far attracted to Abia North Senatorial District. In the gratitudes of the people in Nneato, Umunneochi local government. The traditional rulers did not fail to objectively express their fears on the kidnapping and rape of innocent citizens of the community, by herdsmen. They pleaded with Orji Uzor Kalu to intervene and ensure lasting solutions that will bring again the peace that existed while he was the governor, long before this recent developments.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is stamped with the zeal to see that the people he represents are well cared for and did not relent expressing his disappointment with the recent happenings as he berated those saying he sighted in Ummuneochi the cattle markets that is rumored to be the course of the repeated insecurity.
To the understanding of the people, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu enlightened the people on the reasons he established the cattle market in the area, while he was governor. He went as far as explaining to the people of Nneato, how traditional rulers, while he was governor, lobbied for the cattle market to be situated in Umunneochi LGA. They wouldn’t be lobbying if there where no economic benefits.
According to the action governor of 1999-2007, the cattle market was brought to Umunneochi to add value to the economy. It was initiated as an internally generated revenue (IGR) for Abia state and that of Umunneochi local government treasury. He said, that 10% of every cow brought to the market is shared by the Abia state government and Umunneochi LGA in the rational of 5% respectively, which is expected to add value income to developmental plans.
Also in a follow up to the insecurity, Orji Uzor Kalu insisted that security was one of his major priorities. As a governor, he didn’t leave security challenges in the hands of the federal government alone. Orji Uzor Kalu, as a governor, instituted security outfits (Bakasi) that worked with the Nigeria police to curb crime in Abia state and the state remained peaceful. There was nothing like kidnapping nor rape and Abians slept at night, with their eyes closed.
The role played by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in his first tenure speaks volume enough to assert he is concerned with how the land can be sustained. His commitments to lift Abia North to a developmental heights above the amazements of other Senatorial Districts in Nigeria, was exhibited in just few years of engagements with the federal government, towards developing Abia North, as seen so far in all the five local government areas that make up his District.
The reception of the people of Umunneochi, contradicts gravely any flying condemnation of failed media publications that Orji Uzor Kalu is campaigning. The chief whip does not need campaign where his presence is felt already in all five local government that make up his District. The readiness to ensure the return of the working Senator to the Senate, is enveloped with the excitement by the people and their reception to the call of senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to his ethics with the Town Hall Meetings.
“How can a Road giver, Education lover, Bore holes sinker and a Bill sponsoring senator be thrown away for a Frying Pan senator?” To the people of Umunneochi, such a thing is senseless, taboo and much more unhealthy for the future of Abia North.
The achievements of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in the Senate has resulted to the award given to him by his colleagues in the red Chamber as the “Most Performed Senator Of The 9th Senate.” Such award depicts diligence, hard work and commitments to his lines of duty and Abia North is Most proud to have Orji Kalu represent them again for more proactive developments.
