Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka
As part of efforts to promote quality education for pupils in his constituency, the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Dom Okafor on Tuesday, inaugurated a 3-in-1 classroom block he completed at Community Primary School, Umuona in Aguata Council Area of Anambra state.
Also on Tuesday, the federal lawmaker inaugurated a batch of all-in-1 solar street lights he executed in Umuona community.
The classroom project was sponsored by the Federal Arbitration Panel, Abuja, while the solar projects were sponsored by the Federal Cooperative College, Oji-River, all attracted by Hon Okafor under the 2023 National Budget Appropriation.
The event attracted members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Umuona stakeholders and other stakeholders from the Federal Constituency.
Speaking at the event, Hon Okafor expressed happiness that the projects were completed on time and commended the contractor for his dedication towards delivering a quality project, as well as Umuona people who gave support towards the projects.
He said the school project was to sustain the gains the state had recorded in the area of education under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, assuring that as a true representative of the people, he understands that it is all about the people at the grassroots and as such, will stop at nothing, to attract more projects for them.
“Anambra as of today, has the least number of out-of-school children in the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT and this classroom block will ensure that down here at the grassroots, the children are availed quality education.
“The security lights on its part, are targeted to illuminate the community at night and help address security challenges the people experience during the darkness that usually pervades at night.
“I want to assure my constituents that a lot of projects are coming, in terms of attracting job opportunities and projects, quality legislation, facilitating public petitions, all aimed at bettering their lots. I promised during my campaigns, to be a representative of all Aguata people irrespective of their religious and political party affiliation and that is what I am doing,” Okafor noted.
The federal lawmaker also hinted on the petrol palliative he is floating to mark his birth anniversary this year, during which motorists will get their vehicles filled with petrol, free of charge.
In his words; "The palliative is part of support to my constituents at this very critical economic times."
On his part, the member representing Aguata Constituency Two in the State House of Assembly, Hon Tony Muobike, who is a native of Umuona community, expressed appreciation to the Federal Lawmaker for the initiatives, which he said represent a lot of progress for the community and bear testimony to the kind of quality representation that the APGA stands.
“What Hon Okafor has done by these projects is taking a cue from our governor who is doing well.
“We as APGA lawmakers both at the state and the National levels, are trying to revolutionize the meaning of representation, making the people feel the true impact of those who they handed their mandates to hold their respective offices in trust for them.
“It goes to show that with the leadership provided by the governor, it has become imperative for every public office holder in the state to live up to their responsibilities,” Muobike posited.
Speaking before he blessed the newly-built classroom block and cut the tape to commission it, Reverend Father Dr Vitalis Azike, who represented His Eminence, Cardinal Ebere Peter Okpalaeke, said it is heartwarming to see public office holders live up to their social pact with the electorates.
According to him, the gesture by Hon Okafor exemplifies the true nature of a Christian legislator, who is concerned about the welfare of his people.
In her remarks, the APGA State Woman Leader, Lady Chinyere Onyekesi described Hon Okafor as a lawmaker per excellence, committed to fulfilling his social pact with his constituents, saying she is not surprised at the accomplishments he has recorded in just one year in office.
The Headmistress of the school, Mrs Nneka Ugwumba expressed their overwhelming joy at the project and said the classroom would solve the problem of inadequate classrooms for the pupils, while some of the pupils, Chikamso Okechukwu and Christabel Chukwu prayed for God to continue to bless the lawmaker, even as they look forward to using the classroom block.
Official commissioning of the projects as well as special music rendition by the pupils formed the highpoints of the event.