Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Lawmaker representing Awka North/South federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Prof. Oby Lilian Orogbu, has reaffirmed her commitment to enhancing the welfare of citizens, pledging more interventions in various communities.
The lawmaker spoke at a programme of the United Nations women (UNW) held in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Saturday.
The event in Awka, the state capital which later culminated into a townhall meeting was designed to drum support for more women inclusion in the legislature.
Presenting her scorecard before the mammoth crowd that included stakeholders of Awka North/South Federal Constituency, Orogbu assured to ensure that votes of her people are never in vain through more interventions and projects.
The lawmaker highlighted her key achievements and ongoing projects in the areas of infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
Among the major projects she reeled out include the installation of solar Streets lights, provision of grants for petty traders, empowerment of 200 widows with grinding and sewing machines, and the distribution of fertilizer, and over 2,000 bags of rice to constituents.
Orogbu said she has distributed eleven thousand palm seedlings to agrarian communities, sponsored free petrol to commercial drivers to cushion fuel cost, paid JAMB fees for 170 indigent students and as well enrolled senior citizens into the national health insurance scheme.
“I have equally moved the motions and petitions on need for Federal Government to employ use of modern technology to secure our borders, need to investigate the delay in capturing Nnamdi Azikiwe University workers and other Nigerians in the integrated payroll personal information system, (IPPS), need to investigate denial of Nigerian workers access to housing loan by the Nigerian Housing Fund and the Federal Mortgage Bank, and urgent need to investigate the brutal murder of over ten youth in Nibo Community in Awka North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State,” she said.
The lawmaker said she has written petitions against the Nigeria Army in respect of a missing young constituent and soldier serving in Mubi, Adamawa State, and also against cashcraft, a stock brokerage firm, which she said defrauded over 90 Nigerians a total sum of N8 billion.
She said: “Being a lawmaker in the opposition party comes with its challenges. Despite these hurdles and not being a ranking member, I’ve achieved tremendous success.”
“Under the constituency projects, a Rep is allocated N150 million in the statutory budget and N100 million as zonal intervention project bringing the sum total to N250 million every year. You can agree with me that this has become very insignificant in today’s monetary value.
“There is really not much a legislator can do in terms of inserting projects for his or constituency in each budget circle. Mind you this amount is not released directly to the legislator rather you are allowed to insert projects of your choice in designated federal agencies to execute on your behalf. Any other thing you are able to attract outside what this merger can provide has to be through intense lobby and contacts,” she said.
Earlier while delivering a goodwill speech, Patrick Nnadozie Udefuna of National institute for legislative and democratic studies (NILDS), said the event was to support more female representation in the legislature as women’s voices and perspectives are essential to shaping policies that benefit communities.
Traditional ruler of Nise community, Igwe Romanus Iloh, on behalf of community leaders, commended the lawmaker’s dedication to service, adding that the community look forward to more impactful projects and collaborations.
