CONTROVERSY AS OUK,OGAH & ONYEJIOCHA CLAIM RESPONSIBLE FOR ISUIKWUATO EROSION CONTROL PROJECT

By Anya C. Anya

Much is yet to be heard and the truth will soon emerged concerning the Isuikwuato Erosion Control Project which currently is facing controversial claim on who attracted it as the duo of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Dr. Uche Ogah  including Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha are currently battling and laying claims to being responsible for attracting the Project to Abia State .

While People are crying and counting their losses occasioned by the erosion ravaging  the environment. Our representatives are busy fighting each other  and laying claims to a project that is yet to be completed but except for the need to score cheap popularity on inconsequential project, One  will question what the person who attracted  the project stand to gain  in the light of the fact that the project is yet to be completed

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha's claims to being the one who attracted the project is hinged on the fact that the Federal House of Representatives had earlier task Ministries and Agencies of Government On Gully Erosion in Abia Communities with a mandate to this Agencies to rise up to the task of securing the environment. The resolution to mandate this Agencies was reached as a result a motion under order eight, rule 52 (5) brought by Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (PDP, Isialangwu, north/south, Abia) drawing the lawmakers attention to what she called, "Devastating Gully Erosion in Isuikwuato and Umunneocha Local Government Areas of Abia State "

As contained in the resolution , the House of Representatives urged the Federal Ministries of Environment and Works, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency and other relevant agencies to take urgent actions to avert the impending disasters occasioned by gully erosion in Nkwonta and Umunnekwu communities in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State. this was in September 2015 .

Unfortunately. A related publication by  PUO Reports titled " FG Approves Erosion Project Attracted by Uche Ogah in Isiukwuato" published
By Bachi -June 26, 2020, the online news blog claimed the Federal Executive Council "this Week approved the sum of N896,959,169.75 for the Oghigbe/Urualla Ohukabo Aligbara/Ohukabi Ndijibi Ogudu Asa Isuikwuato gully erosion in Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State."

In the said publication , the publishers of the blog claimed "The job is attracted by The Honorable Minister of State, for Mines and steel development Hon.Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah. " other claim as attached is that the contractor awarded the Reconstruction of the Isiukwuato Erosion site is Foldams Engineering’s Company LTD, that the Federal Executive Council Approved the Project as a mark of respect to Hon.Dr Uche Ogah, who is Nigeria's Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development  who hails from Uturu in Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State and
 one of their Colleagues"

When I thought we have seen all then AbacityBlog another online news blog made a publication with the title " Approval Of Isuikwuato Erosion Control Project: Sen. Kalu Has Brought Succor To Isuikwuato"

According to AbacityBlog"
Following the approval of the erosion control project along Isiukwuato- Abia State University (ABSU) road in Isiukwuato LGA of Abia state by the federal  government, the people of Abia North Senatorial District, under the auspices of  Abia North Constituents (ANC), have expressed appreciation to the former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, for his unwavering determination  and consistency in making the project a reality."

The blog noted that "Kalu, had in a letter dated August 14, 2019 and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr . Boss Mustapha, called the attention of the federal government to the plight of the people in Isiukwuato, many of whom, have suffered personal losses from the flood, that had ravaged their communities.
The Senate Chief Whip, who despite delivering the said  letter personally to the SGF,  had also visited the heads of government parastatals and agencies, saddled with the responsibilities of erosion control projects across the country."

What else is the claim except that The people of the areas being affected by erosion had written to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu  “As always, Kalu immediately wrote a letter to this effect,  which he personally delivered to the SGF. He also followed up with meetings with heads of government agencies  in charge of erosion control projects across the country."

By interpretation according to AbacityBlog. The erosion project was made possible by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. Is this not so much controversy already ? . I think it is for a project whose successful completion is yet to be realized , and who knows on whether or not the project will not be abadoned just like other project that were attracted , and funds were released only for the contract fund to be diverted  and siphoned into individuals coffers.

My take is that it is too early to start wasting energy debating on who attracted the project when such energy can be utilized and chanelled towards realizing the project . After which we all can go back to question who attracted the project .