The member representing Aninri, Awgu and Oji River federal constituency of Enugu State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, has made a huge mockery of his constituents by sending 4 cartons of 70 gram Noddles with a quarter of a bag of rice and 2 additional halves of a quarter of a bag of rice as palliatives for the poor in each of the communities that make up the three local governments in the constituency.
Each of the local governments is made up of over 20 large towns comprising of more than 100 communities.
The poorest of the poor which these items are expected to be shared to are suspected to run into 200,000.
Ejike Ude, a community head in Amokwe, Amoji-Nenwe in Aninri local government area of Enugu state appreciated the gesture, but wondered how many among the poor that can actually benefit from the items.
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“At least our representative, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, has been able to do something. But this is too poor. Tell me, who among the poor shall we give this to. This man has been in the house for years. This is unfortunate,”Mr Ude lamented.
This same package is expected to go to all the many clans and communities in Uhueze, Emudo, Amoji and Agbada in Nenwe town as well as the many other communities in Oduma, Ndeabor, Mpu and Okpanku in Aninri local government area.
“Then think of all the other communities in Awgu and Oji River local governments which have many more communities than Aninri local government,” Osita Animba, an indigene of Emudo said.
The noodles were clearly marked “Covid-19 palliative from Rt Hon. Toby Okechukwu” an indication that the items were given by the member representing the federal constituency.
“The noodles, if you can zoom very close, you can see Covid-19 from Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu. I guess the quarter bag of rice is from Ekweremadu. Firstly, I must commend them for having the zeal to do something for the poor amongst us. However, considering the length of time they have spent in the National Assembly, I believe they can do better,” Matthew Okafor an indigene of Ezere in Awgu local government said.
“If these are coming from our Representatives at both the red and green Chambers, then it is a shame, scam, selfish, ridden with vendetta, greed and corruption. How far can these items go for a family of ten? Shame!!! I don’t want to be convinced that these items came from the sources mentioned. Vanity, all is vanity,” John Uzoigwe, a teacher at Oji community school complained.
The palliatives which are intended to cushion the harsh realities orchestrated by the new Coronavirus pandemic, drew the irk of many of the constituents of Aninri, Awgu and Oji River federal constituency.
In a letter-like comment, Monday Okafor, wrote, “Dear politicians, this is the right time for you to support your community/constituency not waiting till 2023. If they all die of hunger now, there won’t be anyone left to vote for you. For your support to the community should be much more than what the private individuals do. Without them, there won’t be you, appreciate their magnanimity in choosing you and support them in terms of need.”
One of those who shared the palliatives to the communities who pleaded for anonymity was not also happy about the poor nature of the items presented to the constituents.
“We are presenting to our community what those who dominated public purse presented to those who sent them there, not only in Nenwe but, in all other communities in Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency.”
Toby Okechukwu, who is also the Deputy Minority leader in the House of Representatives, is in his third term as a member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency in Enugu State.
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He knows he is going out and will be quarantined politically, hence they are conserving.