The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR has extended his warmest greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Senator Victor Umeh (Ohamadike) on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.
The Governor on behalf of the government and good people of Anambra State, wishes Senator Umeh a happy birthday and more prosperous years ahead.
Meanwhile, Ohamadike distinguished himself in the 8th Senate where he served as Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, member Committee on Finance; Trade and Investment; Land and Housing; Petroleum Resources (upstream); Culture and Tourism; Environment and Land Transport. He sponsored the motion, “The Urgent Need To Include The Eastern Rail Lines In The Nigerian Railway Development Project”, supported the proposed minimum wage for workers, advocated for immunity for the legislature and the judiciary, and restructuring of the nation.
Umeh strongly opposed the exclusion of the South East and South-South in the constitution of the board of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on 11th December 2018 and urged the Senate to step down the consideration of the report on the screening of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees pending when the lopsidedness in the appointment would be addressed to reflect the Federal Character principle provided in 1999 constitution as amended. His observation was noted and transmitted to Buhari who amended the EFCC board to reflect Federal Character. He also intervened in the Federal Government’s planned downgrade of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu on 23rd October 2018.
Senator Umeh sponsored a motion on the exclusion of the South East from the National Defence and the National Security Councils and argued that the exclusion of the zone was inappropriate and a flagrant violation of the provisions of the 1999 constitution, Senate concurred and urged Buhari to do the needful in the national interest.
Accordingly, Senator Victor Umeh on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, moved a motion on, “The Urgent Need To Control The Erosion Ravaging Onitsha – Oba Section Of The Onitsha – Owerri Federal Highway in Anambra State”.
He noted with dismay the devastating effects of ravaging gully erosion and landslides on Onitsha – Owerri Federal Road, between Electrical Parts Market and Metallurgical Training Institute; Obosi (Idemili North LGA) and Oba Junction near Rojenny Games Village in Idemili South LGA – along Onitsha – Owerri Federal Highway, all within Anambra Central Senatorial District of Anambra State. He stated that if the menace of the gully erosion and landslide, is not urgently controlled those sections of the road will be completely cave in, thus leading to total disconnection of the highway with attendant severe consequences and cutting off vehicular movement to Imo, Aba, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River States adding that the highway is a gateway to business activities and other relationships between the Western States and South East and South South States, noting that the magnitude of the menace is beyond the control of the State Government.
Umeh urged the Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to commence repairs and reconstruction of the affected parts of the Onitsha – Owerri Federal Highway and particularly the sections between Upper Iweka Roundabout in Onitsha – Oba in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State which span 6 kilometers. He further urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to join in the detection and prevention of erosion menace on the highways.
It is hoped the Federal Government will once more respond to his plea to affect repairs on the affected roads, and modernise the South East railway lines as it responded in the EFCC board, National Security Council membership, Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu upgrade.
Dominica Nwabufo
