One thing you cannot take from the Honourable Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Samuel Odagboyi Godday is his commitment to service, as far as my constituency is concerned, he is second to none in his time.
The Reps Member hit the ground running from day one, embarking on different projects, both human resource and infrastructural developments; today, my focus is on Rural Electrification and in subsequent bulletins, we will x-ray other areas like education, empowerments, rural roads, provision of water supply facilities etc...
Hon. Godday has embarked on five major rural electrification projects in his 3yrs of stewardship namely;
✓ Electrician of Edikwu -Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area.
This project has been executed and running; interestingly, similar project was in the budget courtesy Sen. Abba Moro and some PDP folks out of ignorance, created a hullabaloo out of nothing, however the contractor from the Senator's end provided the HT infrastructures while that of the Honourable Member took care of the LT works.
✓ Electrification of Edikwu - Olekle in Apa Local Government Area.
As a committed leader, Hon. Godday further directed the contractor handling the Edikwu -Ankpali project to relocate the HT materials initially provided in the Edikwu-Ankpali contract to Edikwu - Olekle; today the community has a 500KVA 11/0.415KV distribution transformers installed, awaiting cabling and commissioning, to be carried out via the 2022 budget allocation.
✓ Electrification of Ekwo - Okadu communities in Agatu Local Government Area.
This 8km long project was inherited in the 2019 budget but just like that of Obagaji -Okokolo, attempts were made to divert the project (to unknown gunmen contractors) as usual, but the Reps member stood his grounds; another contractor was mobilised to site and 30% completion was achieved, to be pushed further to about 60% in the next budget circle.
✓ Electrification of Atakpa, Olegabulu and Ogbaulu communities in Agatu Local Government Area.
This is a 10km long Electrification project which the Honourable Member commenced from the scratch and is about 70% completion with two 300KVA 11/0.415KV distribution transformers, HT and LT cables and accessories provided as well 90% HT poles installation completed.
Hopefully, the project will see it's completion in the 2022 budget implementation as well.
✓ Electrification of Egba and Ologba communities in Agatu Local Government Area.
The project is more like a dream come true for the benefiting communities. This project has been appearing in the Nigerian annual budget with funds allocated but no single item to show on ground (this is a revelation for another day).
The Reps Member made attempts to ensure the hosting agency punches contractors to execute the job to no avail, hence he decided to budget funds for it in the 2021 appropriation act.
As the 2021 budget implementation commences, the new contractor is expected to deliver two 300KVA 11/0.415KV distribution transformers, HT and LT cables and accessories in the coming weeks.
This project, upon completion will improve the quality of livelihood in both communities.
This is what is expected of our leaders; selfless services to humanity, proper application of public funds for the people's republic and sincerity of purpose while holding public office.
One can only imagine what Apa/Agatu would have achieved as a people from 1999 to 2019, if those 20yrs constituency project allocations were fruitfully utilized with a deliberate commitment to serve the people by our HOR members.
Though it is shameful to compare 3yrs to 20yrs but "wetin man go do"?
As elections draw closer, we have seen and heard different narratives from the other sides and the people of Apa/Agatu have examined the candidates for the seat of HOR.
Based on the current realities, Hon. Godday still remains the best, he's not found wanting, he has kept his side of the bargain, he is focused on developing our constituency.
Indeed, we cannot go back to Egypt after crossing the red sea by giving our mandate to people low capacity or questionable character in the name of politics, this was what we did for 20yrs and failed, we cannot gamble 2023 in the hands of desperate people without competence, experience and the required contacts to lobby projects to our constituency.
Backwardness is never an option!!!
Peter Ochohepo writes from Egba, Agatu Local Government Area on the 11th of October, 2022
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