UMUAHIA NORTH: The Ikuku Long List Of Secret Projects Files Are Out

UMUAHIA NORTH: The Ikuku Long List Of Secret Projects Files Are Out

Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, popularly known as Ikuku, is a legislator whose years in public office were marked by extensive constituency projects, youth empowerment programmes, infrastructure development and legislative initiatives across Umuahia Central and beyond.

A compilation shared by his media aide Ikechukwu Okorie, titled “Ikuku Did All and Will Do More,” highlights projects and interventions attributed to the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, spanning water supply, roads, education, sports, electricity, healthcare, youth empowerment and lawmaking.

Water Projects Across Communities

A major component of the projects listed is the provision of drilled and reticulated water schemes across several communities and public institutions.

The projects include water schemes at World Bank Estate and Primary School, Finbarrs Road, Umuagom, Amaokwe Ugba, School Road Primary School, Amuzukwu Mbaraukwu, Orie Ogwu Okwulaga Afaraukwu, Amuzukwu Girls’ Secondary School, Ohobo Afaraukwu, Methodist Primary School along Umuwaya Road, Umuobasi Ugba, Union Primary School Afaraukwu, Ugwunchara Primary School, Mission Hill, War Museum Junction, Afara Correctional Centre, Holy Rosary Girls’ Secondary School, Agbama Housing Estate and other locations.

According to the compilation, these projects were designed to improve access to potable water for residents, schools and communities.

Investment in Sports Infrastructure

The former Speaker is also credited with constructing mini-stadia in various communities and schools.

Among them are 1,000-capacity mini-stadia at St. Stephen’s Urban School II, St. William’s Memorial Secondary School, Afugiri, Umuabali Primary School, and opposite Santa Crux Secondary School, Olokoro.

Other facilities include a 1,500-capacity mini-stadium at Ubakala Primary School, as well as facilities at Ikwuano Local Government Headquarters, Ariam Usaka and Isieke Community Model High School, Isieke Ibeku.

The projects, according to the document, were intended to provide young people with spaces for sporting activities, recreation and talent development.

Roads and Rural Connectivity

Road construction and rehabilitation also feature prominently in the list of interventions.

The projects include the Uchenna Junction–Afara Technical School road, Amuzukwu internal roads, Amuzukwu–Umuokoo Road, Asaba Street–Junior Girls–Bishops Court–Umueze Road, Bende Road–Orie Ugba Road and Amuzukwu–Umuezeagwu Road.

Other projects listed include the Umuwaya–Mbaraukwu link road, Michael Okpara Road in Ofeme, Ariam Usaka link road, Okwuta Ibeku road, Agbo–Ubani Market internal link road, Umuagu–Umuakanu rural link road and several roads connecting communities in Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Ibeku, Ofeme, Ohuhu, Olokoro, Ubakala and other parts of Abia.

Particular emphasis was placed on the Mbom–Afarata Ibeku link road, which the compilation describes as a strategic route connecting several communities to Ubani International Market and reducing the need for residents to pass through the town before accessing the market.

Education and School Infrastructure

The record also highlights the renovation and construction of school facilities across the constituency.

Schools listed include Ugba Primary School, Urban Mission Hill Nursery/Primary School, Union Primary School Afara, School Road Primary School, St. Stephen’s Primary School, World Bank Primary School, Amuzukwu Girls’ Secondary School, School of the Blind Afara, Urban Primary School II, Ugwunchara Primary School, Umuwaya Primary School, City Nursery/Primary School, St. Michael’s Primary School, Methodist Girls’ High School, Afara Technical School and Amuzukwu Primary School.

The projects reportedly included classroom construction, renovation and perimeter fencing.

Electrification and Transformers

According to the compilation, numerous communities also benefited from electricity projects and transformer installations.

The locations include Isieke Ibeku, Mbaraukwu Amuzukwu, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Umuobasi Ugba, Nkata Ibeku, Ubakala Street, Uwalaka Street, Igbo Street, Umuguru Ipube Ubakala, Amaoba Ikputu Oboro, Amaogwugwu Ohuhu, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuizu Okwulaga, Umuda Isingwu, Agbama Housing Estate, Umuosu Umuegwu Afugiri, Umuajiji Isieke Ibeku, Amizi Olokoro, Umuagu Emede, Umuezeareota Amuzukwu, Ahiaeke Ibeku and several streets within Umuahia.

Healthcare and Social Intervention

In healthcare, the compilation lists free eye and medical outreach programmes across the immediate constituency, as well as the World Bank Health Centre project.

A six-room convenience facility and water borehole were also reportedly provided at Obioma Quarters, Umuagu.

Youth Empowerment and Human Capital Development

Youth empowerment forms another significant part of the record.

The document states that more than 500 youths were trained, while another 1,500 underwent ICT training in areas including website development, graphic design, digital marketing, computer appreciation and mobile application development.

Other empowerment interventions reportedly included scholarships for indigent students, start-up capital for young entrepreneurs and the distribution of work equipment such as generators, barbing kits, grinding machines and hairdressing equipment.

Vehicles and tricycles were also reportedly distributed to youths and community leaders, while several Toyota Sienna vehicles were said to have been given to beneficiaries.

The compilation further states that more than 100 indigent students from Umuahia Central State Constituency received university-level scholarships, while more than 300 youths were reportedly placed on his payroll during his tenure as Speaker.

Renovation of Abia Assembly Complex

One of the institutional projects attributed to Ikuku is the renovation of the Abia State House of Assembly Complex, which the compilation describes as being transformed to a world-class standard.

Legislative Achievements

Beyond physical projects, the record highlights several legislative initiatives passed by the 7th Abia State House of Assembly under Orji’s leadership.

Among the laws and bills listed are the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission Law, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, Abia State University Teaching Hospital Management Board Bill, Consumer Protection Agency Law, Orientation Agency Law, Security Fund Law, Diaspora Commission Law, Water and Sewage Development Law, State Audit Law, Judiciary Fund Management Law, Commission for Disabled Persons Law, Industrial Cluster Establishment Bill, Watershed Management Bill, Education for Employment Agency Bill, Tele-Health Care Agency Bill, Food Banks Bill and the Female Right of Inheritance of Property Law, among others.

The legislative agenda, according to the compilation, covered governance, security, healthcare, education, economic development, public procurement, disability rights, environmental management, infrastructure and social protection.

Recognition and Awards

The former Speaker has also received several recognitions, according to the document.

They include the Champion Newspapers Most Outstanding Speaker of the Year 2021, Abia Online Media AGM/Bloggers Week Man of the Year 2021, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu State Council Best Speaker in the South-East recognition in 2022, IGBERE TV Leadership Excellence Award for Best Speaker, the NUJ Distinguished Friend of the Media Award, Vision Africa Radio Personality Award, The Sun Newspaper Public Service Award 2020, and the Fellowship Award of the Nigeria Society of Engineers in 2022.

He was also honoured by the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria with an Award of Excellence/Pillar of Democracy for leadership and good governance.

According to his media team, the compilation presents the former Speaker’s record as a foundation for a renewed phase of service and development.