PRESS RELEASE
The attention of the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Chief Augustine Akobundu, has been drawn to a Letter addressed to the Clerk of The National Assembly, from the law firm of Messrs Chijioke Udeagu and Co, requesting, on behalf of their clients, Right To Information Under The Freedom of Information Act (2011):
- Ordinarily, Senator Akobundu would not have bothered to respond to such inquiries having been duly addressed to the Clerk to the National Assembly but for the fact that his name and that of Abia Central Senatorial District which he represents was dragged into the said letter and leaked to the Social Media, and so that members of the public and particularly his constituents are not misled, hence the need to provide information that might help the inquisitors have a clearer picture.
- As an elected Legislator and Former Honorable Minister of the Federal Republic, Senator Akobundu understands the letters of the Freedom of Information Act, passed by the parliament and accented to by the Executive. He equally appreciates the role of constituents and, indeed, Nigerians in seeking information on how public funds are expended and their inalienable rights in demanding scorecards from their representatives.
- For the avoidance of doubt, we hereby put forward the following averments:
1. That Senator Akobundu was sworn into office on 15th November 2023, shortly before the Senate embarked on vacation and effectively resumed on 8th December 8th 2023. He has credibly discharged his legislative responsibilities for only seven(7) months so far.
2. That details of projects, whether Constituency or Capital captured through the efforts of the Distinguished Senator for the benefit of the hard-working people of Abia Central Senatorial District are all contained in the 2024 Appropriation Act or National Budget, which is a public document and could be accessed freely by members of the public.
3. That the office of Senator Akobundu does not execute projects, as his duties are primarily that of Lawmaking, representation and oversight responsibilities. The Senator can only push for and attract projects for the benefit of his constituency, but does not execute projects, as it is solely the responsibility of the executive through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies ; ( MDAs)
4. That Senator Akobundu's office is not aware of any fund meant for the Constituency that is paid to him or his office.
5. That Senator Akobundu had not received since assumption of office any palliative on behalf of his Senatorial District but is aware the N200,000 ( Two Hundred Million) Rice Palliative done through the Federal Ministry Agriculture last year which was handled before he got sworn in. He has not sparred any opportunity to ask where the palliative meant for Abia Central was.
6. That since Senator Akobundu assumed office It is on record that he has personally embarked on out-of-pocket interventions to better the lives of his constituents including but not limited to the following:
(1) Hosting of Town-hall meetings and provision of financial support to many constituents in December 2023
(2) Distribution of personal palliatives with items such as Rice, Vegetable Oil and direct financial support to Constituents in January 2024.
(3) Provision of Fully paid three (3) years scholarship/ sponsorship of 113 students at the National Teachers Institute.
(4) Constituted an implementation Committee and launched a scholarship portal for indigent students in tertiary institutions under the Akobundu Foundation.
(5) Concluded registration for the FREE six weeks per cohort ICT training for 1000 youths of the Senatorial District at the Akobundu Digital Opportunities Centre, Umuahia to be launched in September 2024
(6) Working in collaboration with NEPAD, Senator Akobundu last July, trained and empowered 100 constituents in tailoring and agricultural ventures and provided sewing machines and start-up grants to enable them to commence small businesses.
(7) The Distinguished Senator has also in the short period he has been in the Saddle, attracted numerous projects to the Senatorial District including Skill Acquisition Centres for the six Local Government Areas in Abia Central as well as Roads, Healthcare Facilities, Solar Powered Street lights and other Empowerment Initiatives which are soon to commence.
Finally, we wish to appreciate the hard-working people of Abia Central Senatorial District and indeed all Abians for their support and to reassure the people that Senator Akobundu will as has been his character transparently and equitably make know whatever belongs to the people of Abia Central even as he continues to work for the best interest and good of the Senatorial District, State and the Nation.
Uche Nwosu
SA Media
Office of the Senator
Representing Abia Central
09:08:24
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