Hon. Ogene Attracts NEMA’s Multi-Million Naira Worth Of Relief Materials To His Constituency

By Chuks Eke

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to the Ogwuanocha and Ogwuikpele communities in Anambra state’s Ogbaru Federal Constituency.

Hon Afam Victor Ogene, a member of the House of Representatives representing Anambra State’s Ogbaru federal constituency and chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, facilitated the items.

Hon. Ogene, a Labour Party, LP member, and LP Caucus leader in the House of Representatives, described the heartbreaking plight of the people in the two communities in a motion he moved during the House plenary.

In the motion, Ogene narrated that while the people of Ogwuanocha have been living as refugees in camps in their neighbouring communities since 2021 as a result of internal communal skirmishes in the area, their counterparts in Ogwuikpele have been passing through unbearable hardships due to seemingly intractable flood disasters ravaging the bank of River Niger community and a total absence of government presence.

Mrs. Ngozi Echeazu, South East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, praised Hon. Ogene for his passion and responsiveness to the welfare of his constituency during the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of relief items at Iyiowa-Odekpe in Ogbaru local government area over the weekend.

She stated, “We want to thank everyone for coming and to inform you that the facilitator of the federal government’s interventionist measures and to remember you people through FEMA is your own son, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene.” You voted for him; please continue to support and vote for him in future elections.”

“He approached the Presidency to complain about community problems and the federal government’s lack of response. We are here to offer our assistance.” He wrote to us, prompting us to bring all of these relief materials.”

“We are here today to begin the distribution of relief materials. The items being donated and distributed are for people in the Ogwuanocha and Ogwuikpele communities. In the near future, we will need to attend to other people within the state as well. We do not want the crisis to continue, and we are willing to listen to Hon. Ogene in the future.”

“We are here with officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Local Government Emergency Committee,” Echeazu stated.

She urged the people to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly, as well as to rally their support for the LP lawmaker in exchange for more assistance with democratic dividends and effective representation in the National Assembly.

Hon. Ogene donated N1 million to the leadership of Ogwuanocha at the event, directing them to use the money to implement peace processes that would allow people to return to their various homes.

Within a week, Hon Ogene provided over 100 youths with renewable energy skills training, empowering them to become productive members of society.

The Border Communities Agency, BCDA, and MODESCOM Solution Ltd collaborated to offer a three-day training on solar energy installation, maintenance, and practical skills for those interested in the renewable energy sector.

However, hundreds of bedding materials (foam and mats) have been distributed to IDPs, as well as hundreds of food items such as bags of rice, garri, gallons of groundnut oil, Maggi, noodles, baby wear, wrappers, towels, rubber buckets, and others.

In November 2021, gunmen attacked the Ogwuaniocha community, abducting the 71-year-old traditional ruler HRH Igwe Oliver Nnaji and burning down his palace.

Unfortunately, the Ogwuaniocha people are currently seeking refuge in neighbouring communities following the crisis that engulfed the area, resulting in the deaths of several people and the wanton destruction of property.

Following allegations that the people did not vote for state Governor Charles Soludo during the 2021 governorship election that brought the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA-led government to power, investigations revealed that the state government abandoned the communities in Ogbaru LGA to their own fate, leaving them without a single piece of infrastructure or street light.

Worse, the 30-kilometer stretch of road connecting Onitsha and Ogbaru is currently deplorable and impassable, with residents of Ogbaru and others living along the route, including commuters, paying up to N500 instead of N200 for short-distance travel, while motorists suffer excruciating pains on a daily basis.