5 months ago
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The member of the House of Representatives, representing Arochukwu, Ohafia federal constituency of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa has called for the establishment of an additional Federal Medical Centre in the South-East zone of the country to be at par with other zones in the country.
This was even as he condemned an outrageous bill of N2.1 billion presented to his Ohafia town by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, even as the town has been without public light for over five years.
Addressing the press in Umuahia, Rt. Hon. Osonwa said, “One of my first bills I moved in the House was to transform the General Hospital in Ohafia to an FMC. I know that it is difficult because, I know that there is an unwritten rule about having more than one FMC in each state, but we also had to admire and look enviously at the people in Lagos in the West and Katsina in the North. Now Lagos has more than one FMC and Katsina has more than one FMC. As far as I am concerned, they have satisfied the two other major tribes and not satisfied the Igbo man.
“My people are in number, more than 700,000 people with no medical facility around the area. Even people from Ebonyi State come to Ohafia in search of Medicare services and we have even people from Akwa Ibom State who cross over to Arochkwu area for medical assistance and some from Cross River State, who cross over Ibiakpan into Ohafia to seek medical assistance.
“Beyond medical facilities, FMC will provide jobs to our people, attract federal presence to the area, and doctors who would look for accommodation, children who would need schools will cascade into a greater development for the area.”
He added that the bill has been passed and needs to get to the public hearing stage.
On the outrageous EEDC bill, Rt. Hon. Osonwa, who was briefing newsmen on his one year at the National Assembly said, “My community has an electricity issue where we have not had light for five years and in that period, the electricity distribution company came up with a bill of N2.1 billion allegedly being owed by the community. It shows a lack of empathy from the distribution company.”
He informed that he had met with EEDC in Umuahia over the matter, adding, “A distribution company does not necessarily have to be from your region or Nigeria, what we should be looking for is the best capacity people to come and improve our electricity.
“So, if there is anything I will tell the government to find a way for us to improve our electricity situation, and if it involves revoking certain contracts, then let so be it.”
On his achievements at the National Assembly, the federal lawmaker said among others that he, in partnership with some of his colleagues, had proposed a bill to set up state police in Nigeria, which has gone through to the stage of public hearing; proposed a motion in the House for a security post in Isu in Aro with cross border issues with Itu in Cross River State, the revocation of the Umuahia-Bende-Abam-Ohafia-Arochukwu abandoned federal road project contract based on non-performance.
He further disclosed plans to fix the Omenuko bridge and erosion site at the Nmuri bridge which are at risk of collapse by FERMA.
Speaking on the minimum wage demand by labour, Osonwa said, “In fact, we should not be discussing minimum wage. The living wage in this country is minimal. The amount put up by Labour is a bit too high, as Nigeria cannot afford it as a nation, but let us start from a point of reasonable amount and I think the benchmark should be somewhere around N100,000. That is my position. This thing should not be targeted at the Federal Government alone, but the states should also look at it.”
Hon. Osonwa further revealed the robust relationship existing amongst Abia federal lawmakers, stating “All Abians should be proud of the Abia caucus at the National Assembly as the only state where all members, across party lines, swim in the same direction.
He added, “We are in unity for the greater good of the people of Abia State. The most important thing is to make sure that Abia is great. We had poor governance in Abia for 24 years.”
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