PRESS RELEASE
THE UMUAHIA-BENDE-OHAFIA ROAD: Hon. Minister Batatunde Raji Fashola- the pride of public service
The Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia federal road repairs contract was a product of a motion sponsored and amended by the relevant representatives cutting across Ikwuano Umuahia, Bende and Arochukwu-Ohafia federal constituencies. The road belonged to three federal constituencies.
Upon resumption of duties, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (MHR), representing Bende Federal Constituency observed that only Lot 1 of the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road project had been captured in the capital budget of 2019. Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that the engineering drawing sent for the Lot 1 was only for the Ohafia axis and not the Umuahia-Bende axis of the road.
This led to series of meetings between the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fahola and Rep. Benjamin Kalu on November 30, 2019, December 4, 2019, January 9, 2020, January 29, 2020 and January 30, 2020. The outcome of these persistent engagements was an agreement between the management and the representative that work would commence on the Umuahia-Bende axis of the road immediately after a good report from the State Director Engr. Nwankwo (now retired) was received by the office of the honourable minister confirming the hardships that Bende people were enduring due to the bad road. It was also in the meeting of January 30, 2020 that the sorry state of other roads in Bende were discussed resulting in the government’s commitment to swiftly intervene.
The man Hon. Minister Fashola is a friend to ndi Bende and we are grateful that he matched his words with action. This is how public servants should represent the President in all their services to Nigerians.
According to Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the honourable minister’s speedy response time, his commitment, his simplicity and detailed knowledge of the jobs happening in various parts of Nigeria is a worthy of emulation.
In the words of Rep. Benjamin Kalu,
“I was impressed by how well he knew the Umuahia-Bende road immediately I mentioned it for the first time. He had the details including the name of the contractor in his head without asking any of his directors or aides. In working with him, no text message went without a reply neither was there any call he failed to pick or return. He restored the integrity and dignity of public service in my eyes and I am very proud of what he is doing for Nigeria.“
In an assurance to the people of Bende of his commitment to quality representation, Rep. Benjamin Kalu said,
“As a member representing Bende people under the platform of the ruling party, I will always use the benefit of the bond within the party and my warm relationship with the federal government to ensure that any abandoned project in Bende is finished while new ones will commence in no distant time. This is the benefit of being part of the ruling party.“
Signed
Martha Madumere
Special Assistant to Rep. Benjamin Kalu
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