By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko has revealed his one year achievements in office.
Speaking through his chief of staff who also double as his constituency project coordinator, Dr. Micheal Nwoko, said his principal ( Ned Nwoko) was the first senator in the 10th senate to commission a project less than a year in office, this was a result of his quest to change the narrative in the political space.
Dr. Michel Nwoko confirmed that Senator Ned has commissioned all-in-one solar street lights project in Kwale in Ndokwa West local government area as part of the projects he has executed one year in office.
According to him, “Undoubtedly, Senator Ned Nwoko’s outing since resumption of office in the 10th Senate has been impressive. He has got some visible projects in Agbor and Kwale.
“Talking about constituency projects, interventions, etc. These are areas, very critical that the distinguished senator is really looking into, because the people really are desirous of people oriented projects that can be impactful to them.
He noted that during his electioneering campaign process, he made very solemn campaign promises to the people with respect to ensuring that there is even distribution of projects across the senatorial district.
The Lawmaker said the first phase of the project would capture three major cities across the three federal constituencies that make up Delta North Central district.
According to him, the next phase is going to be done in Asaba while the third phase will be in Agbor, Khafre constituency.
“Then, in addition to that, there are solar street light projects built for commissioning within the next few days in Aniocha, North local government area, his own community.
“There are some other interventions that he’s also processing through various MDA in order to capture more solar street light projects.
“Now, you’ll agree with me that today, Senator Nwoko, has the highest number of bills and motions in 10th Senate, not only exclusively for the people of Delta North but motions and bills that really are of urgent national importance for the benefit of the people of Nigeria at large.
Senator Nwoko’s operation light up Delta North.
The next phase is now going to be done in Asaba, representing Oshimili Federal Constituency. Then, of course, another phase, the third phase will be taken in Ika in Agbor, representing the Ika Federal Constituency. In addition to that, there are solar street light projects billed for commissioning within the next few days in Aniocha North local government Area. In his own community, Idumuje Ugboko, neighbouring communities in Ujumojuno and of course, Chubu, within the next few days, a barrage of solar street lights project will be commissioned in the area. This in line with his operation light-up Delta North that he has declared. And even whilst all this is being done as part of his 2024, constituency projects, there are some other interventions that he is also processing through various MDAs, in order to capture more solar street light projects.
“I can tell you that the Senator has set a record, in the sense that he was the first senator in the 10th Senate to have commissioned constituency projects captured in the 2024 budget. Because that was actually his first project, he was the first to have commissioned visible projects. Yes, some have done empowerment etcetera. But before then, we have done a lot of empowerment programs for youths, for women, and for farmers, etcetera. But that was actually the first visible project that was commissioned exactly one year in office as a senator.
“Now, the all-in-one solar street lights project is not only going to be done in Kwale, it’s also going to permeate the three federal constituencies. In fact, the first phase of the project will capture three major cities across the three federal constituencies that make up Delta North Senatorial District. Now, Kwale is taken representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency
. The next phase is now going to be done in Asaba, representing Oshimili Federal Constituency. Then, of course, another phase, the third phase will be taken in Ika in Agbor, representing the Ika Federal Constituency. In addition to that, there are solar street light projects billed for commissioning within the next few days in Aniocha North local government Area.
On Senator Nwoko’s water intervention projects he said: “Looking at other projects, such as water projects, as I speak to you, we have two water projects currently ongoing. One is the community – Idumuje Ugboko. We also have another one currently ongoing at Umunede in the Ika North Eest Local Government Area. They will be billed for commissioning within the next few weeks.
“:The one for Idumuje Ugboko is about 90% completed already. As I speak to you, water is running now; even in such a very difficult topography. I don’t know if you are familiar with the topography of Idumuje Ugboko and some other neighboring communities. These are communities that have suffered from acute water supply problems over the years because of the very high topography, situated over 1000 feets above sea level – that is quite high. But as I speak to you, this water project is about the first successful water project in Idumuje Ugboko. And within the next few days to be commissioned. And Umunede is also having similar challenge, but not as bad as Idumuje Ugboko and some other areas because of the very peculiar topography, etcetera.
However, The constituency projects coordinator, DR. Nwoko revealed that Sen. Ned’s efforts in road infrastructure development will unlock new economic opportunities, transforming the Delta State and the broader South-South region’s prospects through the proposed Eka coastal road project.
“Away from solar street light and water projects, we now go into road infrastructure. Yes, a few road projects were captured in the 2024 budget. The other day, you witnessed the mobilization to sited of contractors to the Ministry of works. They mobilized to site at the Benin- Asaba expressway, to carry out remedial and rehabilitation works on the failed sections. Before now, I’m sure that you are aware that the Asaba axis really was a disaster. So they have, because of the terrible states of the Asaba axis move to Asaba, The contract extends from the Onitsha Head Bridge down to Alifekede axis in Agbor, etc. But because of how bad the Asaba axis was, they needed to mobilize to site and start. So that is one of the projects that he really attracted for the people of Delta North Senatorial District – rehabilitation of failed sections from Benin – Asaba expressway. And then, we also have some fresh road projects that are already ongoing in Aniocha North Local Government Area. We have a lot more to come as well.
“I understand that the roads are strategic economic importance. I’m sure you know that these roads are transversed major communities and towns within delta, north central district, and they equally serve as Link roads. And so it is totally unacceptable to allow such roads of strategic economic importance to waste. And that is why we are working tirelessly.
“And apart from the 2024 budget, he has also done so much to capture more road projects in the NDDC budget that have already been passed by the Senate. What we are waiting for now is implementation.
“He has proposed a new road that will open up a VISTA, an economic hub in Delta State centera district.
“So it’s going to reduce travel time. It’s going to open up a new economic Hub, because the tourism industry will boom, boat crews will go into business and all these is also going to go a long way to address the pioneer flooding situation that has ravaged most of those communities.
“We are in the flood era now, as I speak to you, the Senator took an urgent motion today to call for urgent action by relevant agencies of government towards ensuring victims of flood are giving the needed attention in Delta, north central district, as a lot of communities now have been submerged.
“The senator has conceived an idea that can bring about permanent solutions to the end flooding situation in the area, and that is to one, he has proposed the dredging of the river Niger to ensure that water does not cross over to the land. So this is what the construction of the coastal road really is going to address.
“I can tell you that there is no community that is left on touch in the proposed NDDC budget, and we still have a lot more budget to come before the end or the first tenure of the senator.
“He was the first senator who actually did a training and empowerment program that was in November 2023, just a few months after he became a Senator involving about 260 youth and women and the robust training that they receive that can help them to add value to their businesses, etc.
“The whole idea is that when you empower a business person, for instance, it is expected that the business grows, that business expands, so that business can become an employer of labor.
Then it creates a value chain as well, and it enhances your capacity to equally provide and fend for your family.
“We’ve done about four different empowerment programs involving youth, women, farmers, Muslims and all that, you know and they were given stipends.
Speaking on health empowerment, Dr Michael affirmed that in November 2023, the senator launched the first phase of the free medical outreach program that permitted three committees that cut across the three federal consequences that make up the central district.
“We went to the primary health care center and partner with them. You may ask why primary healthcare centers, primary healthcare centers, really is the foundation for which healthcare is rendered all over the world and also closer to the people.
“If you miss it at the primary healthcare level, then it is threatened at that level that there is a problem. In order to ensure that there’s close proximity to assessing healthcare, which is actually the whole idea.
“And for universal healthcare to be achieved, there must be accessible healthcare, quality healthcare, and healthcare must also be affordable. But if you look at our society generally, you agree with me that predonmince of the people are living below poverty and so they cannot afford the healthcare.
“Then we also look at the equity plan that has to do with the vulnerable in the society, pregnant women, children at the age of five, the elderly people, the retirees.
“So on that note, the distinguished Senator thought it wise to take healthcare to the grassroot by adopting healthcare initiatives that can guarantee access to healthcare without naturally having people to pay from their pocket.
“So the Medical Outreach Programs are free, really. The people come out to assess healthcare, regular consultation, the doctors, various specialists, eye specialists, the dentist. They assess health care without paying from their pocket. And so they prescribe medications for them.
“Five eye surgeries were books.
We did one cataract extraction, then we did one excision, biopsy, then remaining two herniaries. We have taken one, one has not been taken because of a few complications, but the patient is still being monitored closely.
These surgeries would have cost that patient half a million naira but the distinguished Senator provided the funding for such a program.
“Let me tell you, no matter how benevolent the Government is, if the people are not well, they cannot think well or even comprehend the benevolence of government as they are cut off from society if they are not well. So health is really primary.
“And I can tell you that even despite the fact that the senator has performed excellently well within one year in office, and arguably, I can tell that he’s actually the best Senator we have in the 10 Senate and in Delta central, I can also tell you that arguably, he’s actually the best senator that Delta North central district has ever had, but having performed, you know, within one year in office, I can even tell you unequivocally that he has not started.
“The whole idea is to ensure that these projects are implemented in quick succession, so that the people can have them for their use, because these projects are there for public good but I have a firm belief that it will resolve because the lawmakers are equally on top of the situation.,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Core Reporters during the interview with Dr. Michel Nwoko at the National Assembly witnessed lot of young men and women from Delta North trooping in batches to obtain recommendations letters from the distinguished senator’s office for job employment, a gesture that is rare with southern senators..
