“Why I chose to reside in my village” -Onwusibe
Recently, Pavamedia cornered Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, a member representing the good people of Isiala Ngwa North and Chairman, Committee on Works at his cozy office in Umuahia.
In this interview, the law maker x-rayed his activities since he assumed office, his support for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Ph.D and why he chose to reside in the village.
Ques:
For the sake of the reading public, may we meet you?
Ans:
I am Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, the member representing the good people Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly and Committee Chairman on Works.
Ques:
You have been embarking on some projects like rural electrification, building of school blocks and other empowerment programs. Are those projects funded by your constituency capital?
Ans:
Let me put it straight on the record that we don’t have anything called constituency project funds at the Abia State House of Assembly.
We the members are currently fighting for it. During the last budgetary allocations, we made it clear that our people expect a lot from us. There should be provision for constituency project funds in the State House of Assembly as we see it in the National Assembly.
Due to the fact that I came from the executive branch of the government to the legislative branch, I am used to projects. When I was coming into the legislative sector, I made so many promises to my people. As a promise keeping servant, I have to keep to my promises and never to give excuses to the good people of my constituency. That’s the reason for all these tangible projects I am embarking on.
On my assumption, I enrolled my people in a Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS).
Over 500 persons have filled the forms and we have concluded plans with three hospitals and health centers in the Isiala Ngwa North.
We will be flagging it off soonest.
The scheme is aimed at treating minor sicknesses such as Malaria, Typhoid etc. And it’s going to be totally free for registered persons.
Ques:
What does Nbawsi mean to you?
Ans:
Ahhhhhh, Nbawsi is the business hub of Isiala Ngwa North. It is the commercial nerve Centre of Isiala Ngwa North. More importantly, I went to my secondary school there.
I am an ardent lover of sports, that’s why I promised to build another mini-stadium in Nbawsi.
As I speak to you now, the major work has been done, which is grassing of the pitch. The only thing remaining is the perimeter fencing and the spectators stand. Before the end of the year, 2020, the stadium will be commissioned.
Ques:
What is your take on street lighting?
Ans:
I can only copy God. God said, let there be light and there was light.
I am just doing what I have seen the Father do. I deemed it feat to embark on the street light project because most times when my people are coming back from Aba or Umuahia, some drivers won’t allow them to stop them at some junctions such as Uratta, Amaorji, Ntigha and Isiala Ngwa because of poor lightening and security challenges. That’s why I decided to lighten up the junctions and other strategic places in the Isiala Ngwa North. We have gotten about one hundred and fifty (150) solar powered lights (60 watts) and have installed them in the 10 political wards. The lightening project has been completed to the glory of the Lord.
Ques:
What have you done in the education sector?
Ans:
Last week I laid the foundation for three classroom blocks in Abayi. Recently a new secondary school was situated at Abayi and i made a promise of building an international standard three classroom blocks in order to help the school grow. I’m going to electrify it, furnish it and ensure that the students are comfortable. The same plan i have for Umuha.
There is this primary I adopted sometime ago. I have built four classroom blocks for them.
Initially, they were less than 60 pupils, but as i speak to you now, there are more than 600 pupils in the school now. I have bought more than 550 school uniforms, shoes and exercise books, which will be shared to the pupils soon. My reasons for doing all these is that i had a massive support during my election and it’s incumbent on me that i deliver and make my constituents smile. I do them all with my heart, just to give back to the society. I do most of them with my hard earned money.
Ques:
Do you still empower your people?
Ans:
Anytime from now, there will be an arrival of 20 mini buses we bought. The idea is to use the income to sustain our structures.
We are currently training more than 200 youths in skills acquisition.
We also have more than 150 students of Isiala Ngwa North in High Institution, who benefit from our bursary scheme every year. This year’s bursary will be awarded to them any moment from now.
Last year December, i did the Xmas in a very grand style for my people. Every member of the PDP EXCO from wards, we have 180 ward officers in Isiala Ngwa North and all of them got N5,000 each from me. We also have 21 LGA officers; all of them got N10,000 each. We also have 378 coordinators; all of them also got N5,000 each. I distributed 250 bags of rice. I organized a sound football competition, and also a well-organized carnival. I do them not because i have it all but i do it to support our amiable Governor, our dear Party and also for the good people of my constituency.
I see myself as Governor’s Lieutenant no matter where I find myself.
Our Governor can’t be everywhere and can’t do everything, more especially at the grassroots. I have to do all these things to make my people feel the impact of his administration. If you go to Ntigha round-about, you will agree with me that the beautification there is awesome.
For me, my promise is that there will be no dull moment in Isiala Ngwa North as long as i remain on seat. My people will always see is action and action. I love them.
Ques:
Where do you reside?
Ans:
I live in my village.
Ques:
Why do you live in your village?
Ans:
You see, I am a village man.
All I am today, my people made me.
I love them. I have been with them all these while.
Coming homing during elections is my stuff.
I live in the village because I feel pulse of my people.
Their pains are mine.
Also I love tradition.
Being in the village enables me to get deeply involved in my traditions and culture.
Above all else, being outside the village might create a vacuum for me. I love attending their functions. Being around has always created the ambiance for me to remember.
Besides, I am nothing without my people.
Ques:
What is your take on Local Government Autonomy?
Ans:
Pavamedia, you see, there is nothing better than local government autonomy.
If Nigeria wants to make meaningful progress, local governments must be given full autonomy.
I support this with all the energy in me.
I was once a local government chairman.
So I know what I am talking about.
To be continued.