Ideato: My advocacy led to infrastructural Interventions — Ugochinyere
--Says he has achieved his agenda despite making enemies
The member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has declared that his relentless advocacy has placed Ideato on the radar of both the Federal and Imo State governments, leading to major infrastructural interventions across the constituency.
Speaking recently, Ugochinyere said his motions on the floor of the House of Representatives and sustained calls for government action have yielded tangible results, even though they have earned him political enemies.
“Despite the enemies it created for me, I have achieved part of my development agenda for Ideato as their trusted messenger,” he said.
One of the lawmaker’s most significant achievements, he noted, was drawing attention to the devastating Umuchima gully erosion in Ideato South Local Government Area.
After months of lobbying and advocacy, Ugochinyere’s motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House drew the Federal Government’s attention to the enormous loss of lives and property caused by the erosion.
The Federal Government subsequently captured the Umuchima erosion intervention in the 2024 budget. The House of Representatives also declared Ideato North and South Federal Constituency an erosion and road disaster zone following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Ugochinyere, which called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government and relevant agencies to prevent further devastation.
Speaking during an inspection of the ongoing remedial work at the Umuchima erosion site, Ugochinyere commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodinma for their commitment to the project.
He particularly praised the resolve of the Imo State Government to take over the project from the Federal Government, link the road from Orlu through Orie Akokwa, and address the erosion challenge at the Orie Akokwa Roundabout.
The lawmaker said visible progress had been recorded since work commenced, adding that the erosion had not advanced by an inch since the remedial intervention began.
Ugochinyere also highlighted his advocacy for the Umueshi-Okwelle Road, which he brought to national attention, describing it as a road leading to Governor Uzodimma’s wife’s community.
According to him, his persistent calls for intervention prompted the state government to commence work on the road. He recalled repeatedly raising the alarm that the bypass serving the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle route was already collapsing and required urgent attention.
He stressed that both the Federal and State Governments must urgently intensify efforts to control erosion across the two Local Government Areas.
The Federal Government has also committed to refunding all funds accruing to the state following the takeover of the road project.
During the celebration of his second anniversary in office, Ugochinyere maintained that he has built a record of legislative and infrastructural achievements, including reconstruction projects, the execution of more than 25 water borehole projects, rehabilitation of 10 schools, empowerment of thousands of constituents, and the launch of critical erosion control interventions.
He also disclosed that he has sponsored more than 40 key bills currently at various stages of legislative consideration. Through motions presented at plenary, he said he has attracted interventions to communities across Ideato that were on the verge of collapse, with Umuchima, Oba, Akokwa and Arondizuogu Road among those now receiving government attention.
“I prioritised basic amenities, completing more than 25 solar-powered boreholes across remote communities. These projects already serve over 50,000 residents,” Ugochinyere said.
In another intervention, the lawmaker flagged off a 1.2-kilometre hydraulic drainage project designed to control erosion and mitigate flooding in Ugwuano, Ozuomee and Urualla communities.
The project, which attained over 60 per cent completion within weeks of commencement, channels erosion run-off into the Urashi River while opening up roads to make them motorable for farmers and other residents.
“My intervention measure to construct a 1.2km new drainage is to redirect the water causing the heavy flooding that is threatening to cut off the only linking road,” Ugochinyere explained.
While commending the Federal Government’s intervention at the Umuchima gully erosion site, Ugochinyere reiterated his call for broader and immediate action in other affected Ideato communities, warning that failure to act promptly could result in further loss of lives and destruction of property.
