By Jude Atupulazi
With five motions, three bills and five big projects in the first 12 months of his representation of his constituents of Aguata Federal Constituency, Hon Dom Okafor of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, says his constituents have not seen anything yet.
Okafor made this known last Sunday, June 30, during the showcasing of his report card at a town hall meeting he convened at Orthon Palace Hotel, Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA of Anambra State. It was tagged, ”Aguata Federal Constituency Stewardship Report, 2024”.
Okafor who addressed a mammoth crowd of party faithful, stakeholders and members of other parties, said the event afforded him the opportunity of a direct interaction with his constituents and stakeholders, with every important segment being represented.
He urged the attendees to give honest feedback to afford him to know their needs.
Recounting his journey so far, he said he had sponsored a NEEDS ASSESSMENT investigation before his inauguration which was aided by his experience as Rotary President.
‘I sent my people to the 14 towns that make up my constituency to find out their needs,’ he recalled, noting how he set up a 14-man committee after his election to provide a data base of the various communities which he had been using for his various interventions.
The lawmaker also recalled how he became a member of the Ecological Fund in order to better address the erosion problems of his area and urged his people to seek solutions to problems rather than asking for cash, as he explained the representative process.
He also disclosed how he had intervened and helped many people to solve their problems and urged his people not to hesitate to reach out to him; even as he noted his desire to teach them how to fish, rather than giving them fish.
His motions in the Federal House include: motion for intervention in gully erosion ravaging his area; motion on urgent need to conduct National Population/Housing Census for effective national planning; motion on deteriorating security in FCT; motion on urgent public importance on plight of depositors and customers of financial institutions; and motion on need to investigate security breach leading to the escape of Binance Executive from the custody of National Security Adviser.
His bills include that for an Act to establish National Research Institute for Traditional Arts, Culture and Medicine in Igboukwu; Bill on National Population Commission and Bill on Federal Polytechnics Act Cap F17.
 He said his empowerments cut across parties.
Okafor also disclosed doing such projects as installation of 3-in-1 solar light in Umuona; construction of 3-in-1 classroom block in a school in Umuona; ongoing construction of Amaehulu Town Hall Road in Igboukwu; establishment of constituency office in Ekwulobia and technical survey of all erosion sites in Aguata Federal Constituency.
This was just as he enumerated some of his empowerment programmes among which were empowerment of 50 constituents from all the 20 wards in Aguata with digital skills; empowerment of 100 women from all the wards with vocational skills and seed capital; distribution of fertilizers across the wards; distribution of various sizes of rice; yam seedlings; free petrol; sensitization and free registration of Aguata residents; enlisting of two constituents in ongoing police recruitment and another two into NSCDC and FCDA; invitation for interview to Aguata candidates who sat for Teachers’ Recruitment Exams and who met the cut-off mark; and sponsorship of Aguata Harmony Football Tournament among youths in all 14 communities in Aguata.
Stakeholders, including those in opposition parties, hailed him for scoring a first by holding a town hall meeting.
Yiaga Africa, a non-profit organization aimed at deepening democracy, commended what it described as the enthusiasm of Okafor, noting that Yiaga provided a platform for representatives to meet with their people.
Dr Sam Oguche, Coordinator, Yiaga Africa Centre for Legislative Engagement, said Yiaga was interested in ensuring a fair electoral process and sent out monitors to observe elections.
He said they were watching how Okafor met the demands of his constituents and looked forward to a deeper legislative engagement.
The event was attended by royal fathers, Presidents General, lawmakers from the constituency, among others.
