The senator representing Abia Central in the National Assembly, Senator Austin Akobundu, on Friday, August 15, hosted a meeting of party leaders and faithful in the senatorial district.
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The meeting which held in an atmosphere of conviviality and camaraderie at the prestigious Sacramento Event Centre, Federal Housing Estate, Amakama, off Isi Court, Umuahia South, drew guests from across the PDP in the zone, including party executives, leaders, elders, and stakeholders from all the six LGAs of the constituency.
In his address, Senator Akobundu who was visibly excited by the overwhelming turn out at the event, expressed his gratitude to the people for their cooperation and support, saying that the meeting was called in fulfilment of his campaign promise to always carry them along and get feedbacks on how to further move the constituency forward.
He reeled out some of his achievements so far which included provision of solar-powered streetlights to selected markets in various communities, construction of roads, upgrade of health facilities, award of scholarships to undergraduates, sponsorship of free ICT skills acquisition programmes for youths, sponsorship of selected constituents to the National Teachers Institute (NTI) to train as qualified teachers, capacity building programmes for traditional rulers, town union leaders, youths and women at the grassroots in conflict management and resolution for peace and harmonious living, free training in gainful ventures like paint making and cosmetics production, sewing and farming, with cash award, sewing machines and other start-up items distributed to the participants at the end of the respective programmes.
While expressing satisfaction that several of the beneficiaries of the trainings and skills acquisition programmes have since established themselves as entrepreneurs, creating jobs for others, he highlighted his efforts in moving motions on the floor of the senate to ensure that construction works on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Federal Road and such other roads in the constituency continue to receive their deserved attention from the federal government.
Continuing, Senator Akobundu who is also the Chairman (Ag), Senate Committe on Air Force, and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, promised to do more and stressed that the next phase of his intervention programmes would include consulting widely with party leaders and stakeholders at various levels in order to meet the needs of the people, especially at the grassroots. He informed that projects like erosion and flood control, renovation and fencing of schools, provision of streetlights to communities, more trainings, skills acquisition programmes and distribution of significant empowerment items to wonen and youths, scholarships for undergraduates, upgrade of primary health centres where necessary, medical outreaches, provision of power transformers, among others, will be included in the next phase of his project intervention programmes.
While speaking on party-related issues, the senator reiterated that he was still a member of the PDP and urged members to remain vigilant despite the challenges affecting the party. He stated that he was not averse to joining forces with other political entities in as much as such efforts would be in the strategic interest of the people. He, however, assured that whatever decision would be taken in that regard would be based on wide consultations with and the people.
In their remarks, speaker after speaker, including the Abia Central Zonal Chairman of the party, Chief Patrick Onwuka, extolled the leadership qualities, effective representation and commitment of Senator Akobundu to the peace, progress and development of the constituency, saying while his achievements are sterling, he would do well to make such a meeting more regular as it gives them the needed sense of belonging as his constituents.
They pledged their cooperation and support for his vision of attracting more projects and other dividends of democracy to the senatorial zone.
Among other dignitaries that graced the occasion were a former Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Abia State, Chief Obinna Nwachukwu, a former Commissioner for Works, Barr Bob Ogu, a prominent stakeholder in the State, Sir Tony Ezebuiro, Dr John Erondu, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ejiogu, Chief G.O.C. Nnadi, Barr Ugochukwu Okeugo, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi , a former Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Hon. Stephen Mpamugo, Mr Onwubiko Chigozie, Mrs Ijeoma Nwankwo, the Secretary of Abia State PDP, Chief Peter Nwaokonko, his State Organising Secretary and Publicity Secretary counterparts respectively, Hon. Prince Obinna Okey and Hon. Eric Dwyse Ikwuagwu , other party executives at the Zonal, State, LGA, and Ward levels, including stakeholders, youth and women leaders of the party, and former government officials.
