By Our Correspondent
The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly and Member representing Ogbaru Two Constituency, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze has organized a town hall meeting and unveiled empowerment programmes for his constituents in line with his efforts to uplift the living standard of Ndi Ogbaru and bring meaningful development to the area.
Held in Atani, the empowerment includes, distribution of sewing and grinding machines, farming inputs and enrollement of 300 hundred persons into Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, (ASHIA).
With the theme, “My Stewardship, Your Voice: A Report to the People,” Rt.Hon.Udeze gave a comprehensive account of his legislative stewardship, infrastructural interventions, and empowerment initiatives spanning his 22-month tenure in office.
The Speaker highlighted that under his leadership, the 8th Assembly has passed 42 bills, with 24 signed into law by the Governor and noted key bills beneficial to Ogbaru people, including the Anambra State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission Law (ANSOGPADEC), Anambra State Electricity Law, Homeland Security Law, and others targeted at socio-economic development.
He lamented the negative impact of insecurity on the constituency, particularly in communities such as Ogwuaniocha, Ossomala, Umunankwo, and Atani and said that interventions such as the renovation of police stations, support to the Ogbaru Strike Force, and the establishment of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) and Operation UdoGaChi have begun yielding positive results.
The Speaker lauded Governor Soludo for the construction of the 11 km Atani-Ozubulu road with a new bridge while also referencing ongoing evaluations for the rehabilitation of several failed road portions, including those in Iyiowa Layout and Amiyi-Umuzu.
On the area of health, the Speaker said his achievements include the construction and refurbishment of five health centers, medical outreaches, the enrollment of families into the ASHIA, and that over 30 health workers were recruited through his facilitation, with more recruitment expected.
He further disclosed that efforts are underway to reconnect Ogwu-Ikpele, Akili-Ogidi, and Obeagwe communities to the national grid, following years of power outage caused by vandalism, while also mentioning other interventions in education, agriculture, and youth empowerment.
The traditional ruler of Atani, Igwe Azuka Ngoddy, Local Government Area, Chairman of Ogbaru, Mr. Kenneth Akwuobi appreciated the speaker for his ongoing efforts in developing the area and urged Ndi Ogbaru to join hands with him for the interest of peace and progress in Ogbaru.
The event attracted traditional rulers in Ogbaru Council Area, Anglican Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Right Reverend Prosper Amah represented by Venerable Edozie Onwunyi, Manager Director, ASHIA, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, and the National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa represented by Honourable Ken Anazodo, among others.
