Toby Okechukwu: An Embodiment of Promises Fulfilled – By Humphrey Onyima

Some politicians are not only committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people during electioneering campaigns but make strenuous effort to ensure that the well being of the people of their constituencies receive a key boost.

Toby Okechukwu, a member representing Aninri, Awgu, Oji River Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, has been able to deliver democracy dividends to his people in many ways.

Since his election into the National Assembly, he has been able to meet up with his manifestos in key areas which include; education, empowerment, interventions, health, local commerce etc. Leadership SCORECARD presents some of his life-changing interventions for his people.

MOTIONS:

1. Motion On Dualization Of 9^th Mile/Opi Nsukka/Obollo Afor/ Otukpa/Anyingba/ Ajaokuta Highway (Argued on January 17,2012)

2. Motion On Abandonment Of The Contract For The Upgrading Of Dams And Canalization At Ada-Rice Farm At Adani In Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area Of Enugu State (Argued on June 26,2012)

3. Motion On Incessant Students’ Protests In The University Of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (Argued on February 20,2013)

4. Motion On Umuigwe Agbada Ala Erosion Disaster In Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State (Argued on February 28,2013)

5. Motion On Urgent Need To Investigate The Status Of Seized And Sold Assets By The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (Argued on February 28,2013)

6. Motion On Urgent Need To Increase The Jurisdiction Of The District Court Of The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Argued on May 30, 2013)

7. Motion On The Need To Stop The Return Of Obligated Funds To The Federation Account From Releases To Ministries, Departments And Agencies (Argued on November 28, 2014)

8. Need to Investigate Construction Works and Lack of Facilities at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Enugu State (Argued on October 14,2015)

9. Need to Investigate the Status of NNPC Crude Oil and Products Distribution Pipeline Network, Butanisation Plants and Depots Across the Country (Argued on April 14, 2016)

10. Need to Investigate the Level of Compliance of the Central Bank of Nigeria with our Laws in its Various Intervention Projects (Argued on October 29,2015)

11. Need to Investigate the Status of Nigeria’s Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT 1) (Argued on November 18,2015)

12. Need to Check Cases of Persistent Fundamental Human Right Breaches and Acts of Impunity by Security Agencies (Argued on January 1,2017)

13. Need for Intervention in the Current Crises of Unpaid Pension Arrears Threatening the Lives of Nigeria’s Retired Senior Citizens (Argued on March 3,2017)

 BILLS:

1. A Bill For An Act To Establish The Federal College Of Dental Technology And Therapy, Enugu, and to Provide for Courses Leading to the Award of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in Dental Technology, Dental Therapy, Other Related Courses and for Other Related Matters Connected Therewith (National Assembly Journal, Volume 8, February 23,2013, Pg. C430 1-4323)

2. A Bill For An Act to Repeal the Nigeria Football Association Act, Cap. N 110 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigeria Football Federation Act to Provide for the Administration of the Game of Football in Nigeria and for Related Matters. (National Assembly Journal, Volume 8, February 23,2013, pg. C4 121-4130).

3. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria Act, Cap Si 8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review the Fines Upwards and for Other Related Matters, 2017 (National Assembly Journal, Volume 13, May 24,2016, pg. Cl 927-1928)

4. A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Development Commission Charged with the Responsibility Among Other Things to Receive and Manage Fund From Allocation of the Federation Account For the Development, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation of Roads, Houses and Other Infrastructure as well as Tackle the Menace of Poverty, Ecological Problems and any Other Related Environmental or Developmental Challenges in the South
   East States and For Related Matters, 2017 (Negative on June 1,2017)

5. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Engineers (Registration, Etc) Act, Cap Ell, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Introduce New Register for Engineering Firms, include Engineering Personnel, Broaden the Power of the Council and its Registrar and the Recognition of Other Professional Bodies Outside the Nigerian Society of Engineers to Nominate Representatives to the Council, among Others; and for Other Related Matters, 2017 (National Assembly Journal, Volume 14, July 31, 2017, pg. C28 19-2830)

OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSFORMATIONAL BILLS AND MOTIONS CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WORKS INCLUDE:

• A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Roads Fund for the Purpose of Financing Routine and Periodic maintenance of National Roads and for Other Related Matters, 2017 (National Assembly Journal, Volume 12, August 17, 2015, pg C889-909)
• A Bill for An Act to Repeal the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Establishment, Etc) Act, 2002 (As Amended) and to Establish the Federal Roads to Promote a Safe and Efficient Management of the Federal Roads Network and for Other Matters Connected Therewith. 2017 (National Assembly Journal, Volume 14, May 25, 2017, pg. C 1583-1606)
• Motion on the Need to Investigate the Claims by State Governments of Expenditures Incurred on the Rehabilitation of Federal Roads in their States (Argued on November 26, 2015)

TOBY OKECHUKWU’S INTERVENTIONS IN EDUCATION:

1. Renovation of Town Hall at UHUEZE Nenwe-Animi (LGA).
2. Reconstruction of 4 Classroom Blocks at Onoli Community School, Awgu.
3. Renovation of Classroom Block at Mmaku High School Mmaku Awgu (LGA).
4. Renovation of Classroom Block at Community Secondary School Ugbo-Okpala Awgu.
5. Renovation of Community Primary School Classroom at Ugbonabo Awgu (LGA).
6. Renovation of Classroom Block at Girls High School Ugunoba Oji River (LGA).
7. Renovation of Classroom Block at Community Secondary School Okpanku Animi (LGA).
8. Construction of Classroom at Central School Nenwenta Awgu (LGA).
9. Solar Street Light at Oduma, Mpu, all in Amini (LGA).
10. Solar Street Light at Onoli, Mmaku Ihe & Ugbo Community Awgu (LGA).
11. Street Light at Inyi, Achi & Oji-River.
12. Retraining of over 30 Science Teachers and giving out over 30 Mobile Science Equipments.
13. Payment of WAEC Fees for 1,009 Students 2017/2018 from across the 3 LGAs within his Constituency.
14. 2015/2016 – Payment of WAEC Fees for all the Students in Public Schools from across the 3 LGAs within his Constituency.
15. Renovation of Classroom Block at Umuome Inyi Oji-River (LGA)

From the point of ideology, Toby’s approach clearly underscores his sense of direction, vision, charisma and passion for the well-being of the Greater Awgu People. According to His Excellency, Prof. Sen. Ike Ikweremadu, the deputy senate president of the Federal Republic, who recently described Toby Okechukwu as “…the best Federal House of Representatives Member in Nigeria” and has endorsed his re-election bid against all odds, made it clear in an unmistakable terms that Toby Okechukwu is a blessing to Greater Awgu.  Again, Leadership SCORECARD magazine recently rated Honourable Toby as Grassroot Politician of the year 2018/2019 alongside the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who emerges as the Scorecard Governor of the year 2018/2019 rating in Nigeria.

Going further will expose my mental faculty to recall or enumerate more on the milestone achievements of an exemplary servant-leader, accomplished visionary, astute manager, apostle of leadership by example. In putting all his achievements in one book, it must come in volumes. Better still, I can only described Toby Okechukwu (Nwanenenyedo 1 of Mgbowo) as an embodiment of promises fulfilled. Let’s move it again to the next level, he deserved another term.