By Kingsley Osuagwu
During the countdown to the last General election, I had a reservation of the candidates that would vie for the Senatorial seat of Imo north. Since after the seat was occupied by Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume I have never seen a powerful representation and purpose driven Senator among the lots that went after Araraume not until recently.
Sometime in the year I took a visit to the National Assembly complex to submit some letters and visit the office of distinguished Senator Patrick Ndubueze before leaving. After submitting the letters I went straight to the office of Ndubueze. I had a lot on my mind while in his office. As Sen Patrick came back from plenarysitting, I witnessed his quick response in attending to his constituents unlike previous ones that has occupied same seat. He was right on spot attended to a constituent who needed a follow up on a job search. Right infront of visitors the issue was trashed out and the sister who came worried left happy with the accessibility of the Senator and getting green light on her job issue. Also, everyone who came visiting were attended irrespective of class in the society. For the case of accessibility, the office of Senator Patrick Ndubueze is accessible to everyone which is one quality of a good Senator.
Going forward I took a tour to Okigwe zone and also the activities of Senator Patrick I observed that he has brought life to Imo North by attracting visible projects in the zone. Such has installation of electrical transformers, cables to the zone. Places that have not seen light can now smile with electricity. He has sponsored students to write WAEC and JAMB. Also paid school fees of many indigents in the zone. He has attracted rural roads too that has received attention and many more are on the process of receiving attention.
On the primary purpose that he was elected Sen Patrick has been very lively in the Senate. He has sponsored bills, moved motions. He is no push over in NASS. This is an important ingredient of a Senator that knows his job. Once you are very lively in the Senator you can easily attract projects to your constituents.
The people of Okigwe should be happy that a person of Patrick Ndubueze is serving them and that before his term elapse as a serving Senator there would be massive development. He has been in close rapport with the executive and currently no friction with any of the executive of the state. This alone can bring positive input to Okigwe zone. Over the years the interaction between the legislative arm and the executive arm have not been very effective thus reducing chances of development in the zone. But with what is playing out Okigwe zone would and has already been receiving attention from the Executive arm.
While appraising the efforts of Senator Patrick as a dogged Senator, I would also advise him to continue with his good works and also look into making Okigwe zone Agriculture hub of Imo state by attracting Federal and state government supports to the zone to help farmers to increase their yields. I would also wish to draw his attention and that of the state government on the electrical supply for the people of Agbaja in Ehime Mbano. For the past 16 years the people of Agbaja have not seen power supply. The people have been languishing in darkness. This is a cause of worry for the community.
Has Sen Patrick lived up to expectation? With what is on ground at the moment and the performance of Senator Patrick in his one year in office I can vividly say Yes, he has lived up to expectation and if he continues with the way he started he would be one of the best if not the best Senator that has served Okigwe zone.
I urged the good people of Okigwe zone to keep praying and supporting distinguished Senator Patrick Ndubueze while he leads the zone to the right path.
Kingsley Nduka Osuagwu, Writes from Agbaja in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State
