- Facilitates construction of Classroom Blocks, palliatives, NEMA relief materials, loans/grants, others
Two years into his first tenure as member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South/Udu federal constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives, Rev. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, has rendered account of his stewardship, expressing satisfaction that, among other things, he has successfully restored power supply to more than 10 communities that have been without electricity for more than 10 years.
Waive disclosed this on the occasion of the presentation of his stewardship in the past two years as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives during a Town Hall meeting which took place at the palace of the Olomu monarch, HRM Richard L. Ogbon Oghoro Ogoni I, the Owhorode of Olomu kingdom.
The event attracted royal fathers from Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu areas including Presidents-General from different communities, representatives of men, women groups and youths drawn from the entire federal constituency.
The national lawmaker disclosed that, as a first-timer in the Green Chamber, he was privileged to become the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, adding that although his responsibility spreads across the entire country, he ensured that his constituency benefits from the opportunity.
Waive further disclosed that his effort during his first two years, culminated into the restoration of power supply to several communities in the constituency, adding that his intervention and interaction with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC’s management facilitated the improvement of power supply to several communities.
He said: “While my responsibilities (as deputy chairman of House Committee on Power) cuts across the entire country, I have ensured it benefts our constituency. Thus, within this one year, I have ensured restoration of electricity to various communities that have been cut off the national grid for several years.
“These include Ujevwe, Okolor, Agbowiame, Erhurwareh, Ovwodokpokpor-Ogor, Okobaroh’s Palace, JFM Radio, etc. I also played prominent roles in restoring electricity to Afiesere, Ofuoma, etc.
“I began negotiations on the DSC Township and Aladja Community debts with BEDC awaiting the offer of both communities. I have intervened successfully in several individual and area electricity issues. The 15MVA in Ughelli which was in a waterlogged area and couldn’t function properly has been relocated to a better place. The direct result of this is improved power supply in Ughelli.”
The national lawmaker stressed that he continued his effort towards ensuring that several other communities which have been off grid for upward of seven years were reconnected during his second tenure including the installation of some solar-powered street lights in several communities.
“In addition to benefiting communities during my first year in office, the following communities that had been off national grid for over seven years were reconnected as a direct result of my efforts. These include Okolor, Ekrota and Okperhenre in Udu Local Government Area as well as Otor-Edo and Owhawha in Ughelli South Local Government Area. Okwemor, Otegbo and Egbo-Ideh communities are set to be reconnected.
“Waive also gave account of his effort at facilitating the supply and installation of transformers at Agbarho town, Iwhremarho Aro town, Uduophori Street Otovwodo town, Imoniyame – all in Ughelli North; Otokutu town, Usiefrun town and Okwagbe in Ughelli South as well as Orhuwhorun town, Ujewu town, Udu road and Ovwian.
“I also facilitated the supply and installation of solar street lights at Agbarho market/palace road, Agadama town. Obi Ayagha town, Otu-Jeremi town square, express junction in Ovwian and Orhuwhorun roundabout”, he said.
Reeling out more of his achievements in the first two years of his tenure, Hon. Waive disclosed that he has constructed 12 classroom block in Esophe primary school in Ughelli, 6 classroom block in Agbarho Grammar School, Agbarho; renovation of block of 6 classrooms and block of 4 classrooms at Evwirhe Primary School, Aladja.
Other outstanding achievements of the national lawmaker include distribution of palliatives during the Covid-19 lockdown last year, facilitating NEMA supply of relief materials to victims of herdsmen attack in Ughweru, facilitating of loans/grants to 300 persons from the constituency, empowerment of 300 persons with vehicles, sewing machines, motorcycles, generators, grinding machines, refrigerator and laptops.
Waive also disclosed that he facilitated employments to some qualified graduates in the constituency.
He also reeled out the numerous bills and motions which he has moved in the Green Chamber including oversight functions including the Federal Medical Centre, Ovwian Establishment Bill, Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Otu-Jeremi Bill which has passed second reading, among others.
Fielding questions from The New Diplomat shortly after the Town Hall meeting, Mr. Sunny Sawore, described the achievements of Waive as unprecedented in the history of representation in the federal constituency. According to him, the people of Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu federal constituency have not had it this good, praying that God should protect the lawmaker to do more for the people.
“Hon. Waive has demonstrated effective representation to the people of the constituency. We have never had it this good. We have seen the difference between PDP representation and what we are enjoying from the APC administration.
“It is our prayer that God will continue to strengthen Hon. Waive so that our people can enjoy more benefit of democracy”, he said.
