Hon. Obetta
By Uche Eze, Nsukka
As part of his promises to hold regular town hall meetings with constituents, the member representing Nsukka-Igboeze South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta has organised a broad based town hall meeting with the people of his constituency.
Addressing the constituents at Princess Alexandra Auditorium of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, venue of the 2nd hybrid town hall meeting, Hon. Obetta said the meeting was aimed at highlighting on his accomplishments, challenges and future plans.
He emphasised that it was also for the people to appraise his journey so far, especially with regards to the implementation of the outcome of the last Town hall meeting held in 2023.
He recalled that in the last town hall meeting he assured the people that his legislative actions and programmes would be anchored on some core principles; among them were transparency, building consensus and improving lives.
“I can boldly say, without fear of any contradiction that I have kept and will continue to keep my promises to you. I note with excitement that electing me as your representative is a privilege and opportunity to serve my people.
“So far, we have made significant and notable progress in representing you in the House, though with many challenges but we are hopeful that the challenges are surmountable with your unwavering support, ” he said.
Obetta said that he had played significant role in sponsoring bills and moving motions that would benefit his constituency and the country at large.
The bills, he said, included, a bill for an Act to establish Federal Medical Centre at Obukpa, which has passed first and second reading and has moved to the consideration and final stages, and a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution and create Adada State which was co-sponsored with Hon. Martin Oke and other Honourable Members from Enugu State.
According to him, some of the motions he moved in the House were a motion on the urgent need to intervene in the flooding menace and resultant gully erosion in Alor-Uno Community of Nsukka Local Government Area and motion on the need to utilize Public Private Partnership (PPP) to bridge the gap in the healthcare system in Nigeria.
The lawmaker added that he provided other dividends of democracy to the people, which included installations of street lights in some strategic places in Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South local government areas like Odenigbo Roundabout Nsukka and Nkalagu Obukpa in Igbo-Eze South local government area, provision of portable water at Eha-Ulo in Nsukka local government and Ihunowerre in Igbo-Eze South local government.
Others are construction of classroom blocks, improvement in agricultural development and human capital empowerment, among others.
He, however, said that despite the progress recorded so far insecurity and dearth of infrastructural facilities in the area are part of the challenges they face.
He thanked the people of his constituency for their confidence in his representation, assuring them that he won’t relent in the pursuit of programmes and policies that would better their lives.
In his remarks, the senator representing Enugu North Senatorial zone in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Okey Ezea, extolled Hon. Obetta for his giant strides, pointing out that he had done well.
Senator Ezea called for total change in the nature of Nsukka politics where emphasis was on party affiliation and loyalty.
He stressed the need for the people of the zone to deemphasize political partisan platform and recognize individual performance and commitment on the welfare of the people.
He advised his constituents to always commend anyone that performs well, noting that people should be courageous enough to speak the truth to the powers that be..
While commending the traditional rulers in the zone for gracing the town hall meeting, Ezea charged them to participate actively in transforming the politics of the area for the wellbeing of the people.
Professors Damian Opata and Benjamin Amujiri in their separate remarks, thanked Honourable Obetta for his performance so far but reminded him of other tasks ahead such as Lejja road that has since time immemorial been begging for attention and the creation of Adada state.
Lady Ndidiamaka Ugwu and Mr. Charles Obinna Omeje, who spoke through hybrid platform from Abuja and Germany respectively thanked Hon. Obetta and Senator Ezea for representing the people well and urged them to empower the youths and assist them to secure employment.
Representatives of different organizations and groups like the traditional institution, market associations, Association of Private Schools Proprietors, Students Associations, members of APC and PDP, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nsukka chapel, among others were in attendance during the meeting.
