By Chisom Nwankwo JNR.
ONE of the major components of democracy is opposition. Opposition is vital because it helps to put those in power at check and affords the electorate opportunity to make choices during elections. But in some cases the opposition lacks credence and in minority when an elected political office holder performs exclusively and positively well to the expections of the electorate. The few opposition at this point in time will only be scratching for what to say. In most cases it becomes envy especially when the predecessors of such a current office holder failed woefully during their tenure.
This exactly captures the case of Hon. Chris Nkwonta and the people of Ukwa Federal Constituency of Abia state. The people have never had it so good with Representation since the inception of the present political dispensation in 1999.
Between 1999 to 2007, Nonye Macegbu from Ukwa west represented the people of the constituency and was succeeded by Hon Uzoma Abonta who spent sixteen years in the Green Chambers.
But the emergence of Hon. Chris Nkwonta In 2023 to represent the people of Ukwa Federal Constituency brought a beacon of hope to the people of the constituency and within two years in the Green Chambers, the result of his performance and achievements are overwhelming dwarfing the opposition and bringing smiles and rekindling hopes to the people of Ukwa Federal Constituency.
Although Hon. Chris Nkwonta had been a philanthropist whose generosity had positively impacted on the lives of many in different areas before he ventured into politics but his present position afforded him greater opportunity to touch more lives and turn around the fortunes of his people for good.
Between June 2023 to September 2025, Hon Chris Nkwonta, who is currently the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has sponsored many bills which includes, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency ( Establishment etc) Act. ( Amendment) Bill 2023 HB674. A bill For an Act to Repeal the violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and enact an Act to eliminate Violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and other related matters HB774.
He also sponsored the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria Act ( Amendment) Bill 2023 as well as the Federal Polytechic Ohanso, Abia Establishment Etc Bill 2023. The Environmental lmpact Assessment Amendment Bill 2023. Employment Racketeering (Prohibition) and related offences Bill 2023. Digital Rights and Freedom Bill 2023. Sea Fisheries Act Amendment Bill 2023 and Mandatory Employee Shareholding in Private Sector Companies and for other related matters Bill 2024.
Hon. Chris Nkwonta has also moved many motions within the time under review. They include, urgent need to complete rehabilitation of the Enugu- Umuahia- Aba- Portharcourt Dual Carriageway, section 1V ( Aba – Portharcourt). The urgent need to seek Pharmacists intervention towards Ending Medicine and Drug Shortages Crisis in Nigeria. The urgent need to address the challenges of the Rubber Research lnstitute of Nigeria and her Sub – Sections including the Rubber Research lnstitute substation, Akwete.
Hon. Nkwonta also moved motion of urgent need for the rehabilitation of Obehie – Azumini- Ukanafun Highway by the Federal Government. Urgent need to remove Underwater Wrecks and abandoned ships littering the nation’s waterways in order to ensure safe waterways in the country. Motion on the need to Amend the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives to include the Committee on South East Development Commission amongst the standing Committees under Order 20. The urgent need to call on the police to halt the collection of Five Thousand Naira( N5, 000) from motorists for the issuance of Motor Vehicle lnformation Certificates. Need for compulsory routine medical examination of lawmakers as preventive measures against untimely deaths.
Many other motions also moved by the parliamentarian are, matter of urgent public importance brought pursuant to (Standing Order Eight, Rule 5). Brutal killing and subsequent disregard for constituted authority by the Chinese company; Messrs lnner Galaxy Steel Company Limited at Umuahala, Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia state. Matter of urgent public lmportance ( Standing Order Eight, Rule 4) urgent need to unravel the circumstances behind the attempt by the Process & lndustrial Development Limited (P&1D) to seize US$11Billion from our Foreign Reserve. Motion on the need to support the various Roads and lnfrastructure Projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and the need to prohibit Professional Bodies from unduly interfering with Nigerian University Standardisation Policies.
Hon. Chris Nkwonta has presented over twelve petitions within this time under review including a petition from a youth of his constituency from Umorie Asa, Ukwa west local government area of Abia State as presented by Engr. Ogbonna Nnamdi Chikaodinaka(ksc) Onwuka Chikere, Light Ogbonna, Good luck Nwankwo and Chibueze Nwachi against Inner Galaxy Steel Company Limited located at Umuahala, Ukwa west local government area, Abia State over cases of industrial slavery of youths, environmental pollution and neglect of social corporate responsibilities. Petition written by Mr. Kingsley Otuechere Taribo with AP No 222240 and insptr.Ubi Usani with No 244828 over wrongful and unjust dismissal from service: an appeal for the review of our case and our reinstatement as officers of the Nigerian Police Force if found not culpable.
Also a petition written by Mr. Ukaegbu Chimezie Emmanuel, HRM Eze Obinna Nwagbara, HRM.Eze Ikeagwuchi Ekeke, Sir Marc Wabara for themselves and on behalf of the 0il and Gas Host communities of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia state. and petition titled ” Cases of brutal killings and shooting of Asa people by the Chinese and their agents at lnner Galaxy Steel Company Limited, Umuahala, Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia state and petition on the illegal killing and murder of Mr. Precious Chiedozie James assassination attempt on the life of Chief Enyeribe Henry James, Nurse Vivian Ogbuja and Obinna Francis Oberenwa constant threat of life, intimidation, abduction, arrest and continuous harassment of our constituent in Owaza community by men suspected to be D.S.S( Director Of State Security Service) Port – Harcourt zone among other petitions.
On Education intervention, Hon. Chris Nkwonta has over 100 students in tertiary and secondary schools on his scholarship payroll while the parliamentarian has successfully paid bursary to 224 undergraduate students across the twenty wards in Ukwa East/ Ukwa west Federal Constituency for the 2023/ 2024 academic session in various institutions of higher learning.
On Electricity intervention, It is on record that prior to his assumption of office as member representing Ukwa Federal Constituency, Hon Chris Nkwonta facilitated the restoration of Light in Ukwa east local area in collaboration with the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie lkpeazu and a few others with the sum of forty- three Million Naira (N43, 000,000.00) whereas the then Governor donated Twenty Million Naira (25,000,000.00), six million Naira came from others while Eighteen Million Naira(18,000,000.00) was provided by Hon. Chris Nkwonta.
However, within the period under review of Hon Chris Nkwonta’s stint at the Green Chambers, He has rehabilitated and commissioned Ukwa Electricity Feeder, Ohanso Power substation and Ohambele Power Substation with the sum of Twenty- Eight Million Naira (28,000,000.00). Provision of Solar Street lights in selected areas in 20 wards across Ukwa Federal Constituency. Credit must be given to Azuakolam Stanley who generously donated N13m and Chuks Adiele who brought in N1m.
Hon Chris Nkwonta’s benevolence and legislative prowess cuts across all sectors of human empowerment and well being of his people. On the Health Sector, his interventionist delivery is undeniable amongst his people. He facilitated the siting of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Annex to Akwete in Ukwa east local area of the state. It is noteworthy that he also donated his 24 room hotel in Akwete free for the take-off of the medical centre while other financial commitments are in progress to fully operationize the medical centre. Work on this medical annex will commence as soon as the implementation of 2025 budget begins in earnest as recently promised by the fed government.
Hon. Chris Nkwonta believes on his people especially those on Agrarian support and he has made tremendous Agricultural intervention impacts on his people. HON. Chris Nkwonta distributed over 750 bags of of fertiliser to farmers in his federal constituency and distributed food items including rice and beans of over 500 bags
and also distributed over 2000 cartons of noddles, 2500 cartons of vegetable oil and other items as part of his welfare package to his constituents. Currently work is ongoing in Ikwueke West for the establishment of Cassava Processing Mill which is aimed at encouraging our cassava farmers to focus on planting and harvesting while the processing from start to finish will be handled at the mill. Once this experiment is successful, another mill will be sited at Ukwa West for the benefit of the farmers.
It’s also on record that Hon Nkwonta has declared interest to to establish an all inclusive skill acquisition center at Ukwa East where 50 plots of land has been freely donated by the owners of the land. This project will commence as soon as the implementation of 2025 budget commences.
0n infrastructural interventions, Hon. Chris Nkwonta In collaboration with NDDC and other relevant stakeholders has facilitated the rehabilitation of Obehie / Azumini road which work is currently ongoing.
In addition, Hon. Chris Nkwonta facilitated the following projects, Solar powered borehole in Umunteke(completed) , Ukwa west and Akwete in Ukwa east completed, Umuorie, Ukwa west, Borehole at Obeaku Health centre and an ongoing same project at lkwuorie in Ukwa east local area Area.
Hon. Nkwonta is also constructing classroom blocks at Umuiku primary school in Ukwa West as well as in Akwete town school in Ukwa east local area as well as the renovation of Hostels in police secondary school Obeaku, Ukwa east local area and has also attracted the rehabilitation of the Ohanso/ Obunku/ Obohia 2KM road.
Hon. Chris Nkwonta has also been very active in all his oversight functions and delivering legislative functions both for his people and the nation.
Loved by majority of his constituents and having their interest at heart, Hon Chris Nkwonta has also in Skills Acquisition trained 100 youths and women in Bead making, marketing and Cosmetics across the twenty wards of his Federal Constituency as well as empowering over 100 youths and women with farming materials.
Hon Chris Nkwonta’s landmark and scorecard, however reached an epicentre on Saturday, December 28, 2024 when thousands of his constituents besieged his country home at Akwete Ndoki in Ukwa east local area Area of Abia state when he executed a landmark empowerment program never witnessed in history in Ukwa Federal Constituency. Beneficiaries received 100 sewing machines,50 ladies motorcycles, 50 men motorcycles, 200 Grinding Machines, 10 Keke NAPEP, 10 Mini buses and different cash gifts.
What else do you want from your representative. Barely two years and little additions and we can see this. Only fools doubt Proofs. You can’t compare our past wasted years with our present fortune. Away with naysayers and envious expired politicians
Chris Nkwonta remains our best bet. You can’t beat it. He still has time to complete his first tenure and more democratic dividends will be attracted to our people unlike the past 24 years where the constituency fielded candidates and we ended up in ruins, regrets and backwardness.
Let’s continue to support Hon Chris Nkwonta to do more for our people.
