Dear Senator Natasha Uduaghan,
I wish to commend you for the recent commissioning of boreholes and the empowerment program for your supporters, which you named as your “first-year achievements in office.” Your efforts remind me of the empowerment program by our former Senator, Senator Deen, who empowered many of his supporters with cars. You have truly tried to support your followers; even if some may end up selling the resources, you have done your part—it’s now up to them to use these tools to better themselves. After all, if someone receives a sewing machine without the interest or skills to be a tailor, they are likely to sell it.
Please know that I am in no way diminishing your efforts. Why would I? I would be among the happiest if I received one of the tricycles; I would be more loyal than you could imagine. In fact, I hope for an opportunity to be empowered with a car by our party, but would that alone make thousands of people you represent see you as the best when many aren’t benefiting? Only those who benefit directly would celebrate; some might even say you weren’t elected just to distribute fridges.
You also did excellent work in AAAMCO with the refurbishment of classrooms there. However, many of the schools previously renovated by past legislators in Kogi Central are now in disrepair. I have repeatedly raised this with the state government, as we lack a culture of maintenance.
One question that crossed my mind when I saw one of your boreholes in Onyiukoko Ward, Okene LG, was this: where are the 25 boreholes that Senator Ogembe installed across the five LGs in Kogi Central when he was in office? Are they still functional?
Senator Ogembe, who installed those 25 boreholes, also raised a motion in the Senate for the resuscitation of Osara Dam, recognizing that boreholes alone cannot meet our community’s long-term water needs. In my view, he made a strategic choice, as boreholes cannot reach every area, and in some parts of Ebiraland, like Okene-eba, drilling for water is extremely challenging.
As a lawmaker, you do not have the same power to execute projects as the executive branch, but you represent our collective voice in the Senate. Therefore, on behalf of your constituents, I urge you to revisit Senator Ogembe’s motion regarding the revival of Osara Dam. He is a member of your party and is reportedly on good terms with you. I encourage you to discuss this with him to understand why the motion did not succeed. If needed, you could sponsor it as a bill. Reviving Osara Dam would not only provide us with potable water but would also benefit the local economy and reduce unemployment.
It would be wonderful if your second year in office could be dedicated to the “Resuscitation of Osara Dam,” building on your first year’s efforts to show gratitude to those who supported you. Let this next phase be for the broader community.
– Engr Ira Habib
