Score Card: Senator Frank Ibezim one year stay at the Red chamber

 X-raying the undeniable achievements of Distinguished Senator Frank Ibezim in one year at the national Assembly by Kelechi Uzoma. 

I have taken it upon myself to rate the performance and achievements of Senator Frank Ibezim in his one year stay at the Red chamber of the national Assembly.

Senator Frank Ibezim was sworn in on the 27th of April, 2021, to represent the Imo North Senatorial district otherwise known as Okigwe zone after so many litigations from and within the Senatorial district but God showed himself and didn't allow the plans of the wicked ones to prevail over the chosen one.

This is the more reason why I am here to give you the summary of my factual findings and exploits of Senator Frank Ibezim has made within his first one year at the Red chamber of the national Assembly.

I don't think I can achieve this noble objective without tracing the challenges he encounters before his emergence as the lawmaker that represents the good people of Okigwe zone at the national Assembly.

As you are aware, the late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu unfortunately  died December 2019,  and it took about One year and five months for his replacement to take place which is the reason why Senator Frank Ibezim is in his one year in office.

The implication is that for this long period of time, including about five months that late Uwajumogu stayed out due to litigations before joining his colleagues,  Imo North had no representative in the senate hence no input into the 2021 Budget.

Consequently, there was nothing on ground for the Okigwe zone constituency before the arrival of Senator Frank Ibezim. As you know, it is the provisions in the budget for every constituency that determines whatever dividend this constituency receives.

Because of these challenges, Okigwe zone suffered three  tragedies of loss of our senator, lateness to the senate and nothing in the budget for the take off of Senator Frank Ibezim. 

With God on his side and the  combined goodwill of our Governor and the Honourable Minister of state for Education, Barr Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Senator Frank Ibezim was properly aligned and introduced to the Ahmed Lawan  senate leadership, which he gave his all to sustain the relationship which enabled him to secure some committee positions that have translated into lifeline achievements and dividends for Okigwe zone senatorial district.

This is one of the many reasons his colleagues supported every of his motions and bills. favourable resolutions arising therefrom, sponsorship of two bills, one at the second reading stage while the other has been  read first.

It is a fact known that Senator Frank Ibezim has attracted five key Federal Government Intervention Fundings of palliative and strong economic significance to Okigwe zone people.

These interventions are the Bank of Industry N30,000 Survival Funds which not less than 400 persons of Imo North benefitted, N60,000 Special Public Works Program of which not less than 300 persons received, N500,000 Covid 19 Relief loan, with over 200 beneficiaries, N60,000 Job Security Stipends and N100,000 National Directorate of Employment loan,which started hitting the accounts of our people in the month of December 2021, 350 persons have already confirmed receipt  and these last two schemes  are still  on going to cover not less than 600 persons respectively.

Admittedly, not less than 1000 persons of his constituents have benefitted from these intervention programs which have alleviated the pains and boosted the economy of households, families and communities in Imo North Senatorial District.

As one in love with foundation education, Senator Frank Ibezim flagged off the program of Classroom Libraries in our Primary Schools in the country using at least 18 Primary Schools in Okigwe zone as pilot.

 He have also motivated Teachers through Cash Prizes, to elicit their commitment and passion towards this project.

Senator Frank Ibezim has facilitated Federal Government Employment of so many of his constituents, apart from obtaining their appointment letters, not less than 300 persons are programmed to undergo documentations for various federal jobs in Aviation, Ministry of Education, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Road Safety and National Task Force among others.

I view this and with a sense of fulfilment because the human capital development profile of Okigwe zone will enjoy a quantum leap when all of  these jobs are fully consummated.

The Imo North lawmaker through his six Constituency offices opened in each of the LGAs of Okigwe zone, has effected the training of our women and youths in different enterpreneurial areas to make private sector drive our economy.

While he's preparing for the take off of the construction of Okigwe Power Transmission Sub Station which his first motion catalyzed, Senator Frank Ibezim has been able to facilitate the  construction of a Solar Power Plant for Ehime Mbano and Ihitte Uboma LGAs and another, targeted for Okigwe North is on the way.

The football loving youths of Okigwe zone are not left out as arrangements are in place to ensure their exposure to the international football market through my Football Academy.

It is my strong hope that this year will record a huge landmark for Imo North Senatorial District from the input of Senator Frank Ibezim in 2022 Budget.

I challenge all the doubting thomas in Okigwe zone to confirm these Verifiably  12-POINT  UNDENIABLE ACHIEVEMENTS Below :

1) Sponsored  Two Bills At Different Stages Of Passage, Moved And Supported  Motions Of Zonal, State And National Significance.

2) Attracted Five Federal Government Intervention Funds Which Benefitted People Variously  Across The 6 LGAs Of Okigwe Zone.

3) Established Constituency Offices Which Have Employed Officers And Given Training To Constituents On Different Areas Of Entrepreneurship.

4) Secured Federal Government Jobs(Employment) To Quite A Number Of His Constituency Members And Contracts To Others.

5) Donated Classroom Libraries To 18 Primary Schools, Motivated Teachers With Stipends, As A Pilot Program To Its  National Spread and Sensitized The Pupils/School Community Against Drug Abuse Particularly The Methamphetamine Hydrochloride Called  Mkpurummiri In Igbo Parlance.

6) Attracted The Installation Of The First Solar Power Plant For Use By Okigwe South Component Of Imo North At Ihite Uboma LGA While That For Okigwe North Is Being Worked Out.

7) Launched The Senator Frank Ibezim Football Academy For Support To Talented Football Enthusiasts Of The Constituency Which Engagements Already Started.

8) Gave Different Levels Of Financial Support To Constituents And Partnered with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to visit with support the Amauzari Community, Market and Victims Of The Flood Disaster.

9) Donated Transformers And Boreholes To Some Communities.

10) Participated With Strong Inputs To The  2022 Budget(Appropriation)  And Different Oversight Functions Respectively.

11) Facilitated The Visit Of The Inspection Teams Of  The EEDC, NERC, NDDC  and TCN   To The Okigwe Power Transmission Sub Station Site, Down To Ohiya, Umuahia Power Station.

It is on record that the NDDC is currently drawing a direct line from Ohiya, Umuahia Station to Malaysia Market, while EEDC takes it up through Ihitte Uboma to the Open University at Ezeoke Nsu in Ehime Mbano decongesting Obowo for service to its sorroundings while the commitment of the  TCN is secured to expeditiously  install a full capacity mobile Power Transmission Station at the Okigwe Power Transmission Sub Station site, along the Okigwe- Umuahia area of the Enugu- PorrHarcourt Express Road,  to serve Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Arondizuogu and part of Orlu to free the Egbu Station to effectively serve Owerri axis.

This breakthrough in power supply by Ibezim is a historic milestone deserving our applause.

12)Partnered with  the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to sponsor  a 6- Day Free Medical Outreach in  18 Centers in Imo North Senatorial District.

I am of the strong opinion that if he could achieve this much and solving the agelong power supply problems in Okigwe zone, he deserves to return to the Senate to consolidate the achievements and use his ranking status to do more for Imo North Senatorial District.

There every wisdom in this objective stand and I'm convinced that Okigwe people  of positive civilization won't depart from this informed reasoning.

Let the justice that is meant to serve all guide Governor Hope Uzodimma, APC delegates and Okigwe zone stakeholders in making the right decision.