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By Raymond Ozoji, Awka
John Nwokoye, the immediate past lawmaker who represented Awka-North state constituency in the just concluded 7th legislature of Anambra state, says Awka-North is the only local government area in Anambra State without a road until Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo intervened.
Nwokoye, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent in Awka, hailed Soludo’s developmental approach, saying that if not for Governor Soludo, Awka-North would have remained an outcast ostracised by previous administrations.
He said, “Yes. I said Awka-North is the only local government in the entire Anambra State without access roads especially to its headquarters in Achalla.
“There is no access road in the entire Awka-North until Soludo came in and heard our cry and intervened.
“We cried always to previous administrations but none responded except Soludo who is currently constructing the 27 kilometre Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbenu-Ugbene-
“So we are happy he is remembering us. He is the only governor that remembered Awka-North despite the fact that we are not in the same political party.
“I must give kudos to him for listening to the cry of Awka-North through me because I made motions on that road. I led peaceful demonstrations on that road and the governor heard our cry.
“So I must give kudos to him even though the governor’s political party used the road as a campaign tool against me and I lost my second term bid.
“I told my people that it is better they sacrifice me than sacrificing that road because that road is more important to the people of Awka-North than my representation. That road will bring massive development and also attract investors to Awka-North.”
Nwokoye also recalled that he made a bill in 2021 called Anti-Open Grazing Bill which he said was signed into law by ex-Governor Willie Obiano to checkmate the activities of Fulani herdsmen in agrarian areas like Awka-North council area.
Nwokoye opined that it would be most beneficial to the people of Awka-North and other local government areas, should the current governor implement the anti-open grazing law to the fullest especially as it created opportunity for the setting up of ranches to forestall indiscriminate grazing.
He said another noticeable achievement of his as a lawmaker was the moving of a motion for Anambra state to flag off farming season in May/June every year which he said is yielding positive results.
He said he also moved a motion for Anambra state to be considered an oil producing state in 2020 and today, according to him, Anambra has been declared an oil producing state by the Federal Government.
Nwokoye also disclosed that he instituted physical projects in all the 10 communities of Awka-North and that several persons are also in his scholarship scheme.
He said he is still very much in good stead to serve his people, if they so wish to send him to the House of Assembly again.
