For the umpteenth time, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has proven to be a leader who doesn’t just listen to the plights and needs of her people but talks less and brings solutions.
Amidst the ongoing persecutions, one would have thought Senator Natasha would focus solely on fighting for her political survival like the average Nigerian politician, but she chose to be different.
While her adversaries were busy sponsoring campaigns of calumny against her and deploying schemes to extinguish her light and stop her return to the hallowed chamber, Distinguished Senator Natasha was busy fighting for her people and ensuring that the senatorial district is well captured in the 2025 budget.
For the first time in Kogi Central, a senator has not only listened to the cries of market women but has also taken steps to address them. The ongoing construction of smart markets in Kogi Central, influenced by Senator Natasha, is coming at the right time.
The lawmaker understands the maximum support she enjoys from her constituents and continues to influence projects that will positively impact their lives, despite the several attacks being sponsored against her and the failed recall attempt where locals were deceived into participating as a form of empowerment.
The construction of smart markets in Okehi and Okene local government areas is only the first of numerous constituency projects that will be executed for the benefit of the people in 2025.
The smart markets aren’t just about building shops, the scope of the smart markets in each location includes:
40 open market stalls
40 closed shops
Toilets
Water supply
Car parks for loading trucks
Solar grid
Sockets in shops and stalls
Street lights for security, amongst others.
The lawmaker recognizes the fundamental roles played by market women as socioeconomic drivers in rural communities, from job creation to revenue generation to ensuring food security, and has pushed the government to support and build conducive, functional, and safe spaces for them.
The lawmaker had earlier disclosed that Okehi’s location will be at the existing Ihima Central Market, Oboroke, “The existing Oboroke market has a large expanse of land, and with the collaboration of the market union leaders, we agreed to build the new market right there. This will give all market women access to the amenities that will be provided.
“Okene’s location shall be a brand-new market in an entirely new area because both Obehira and Bariki markets are fully saturated and have no land for expansion. Hence, we graciously secured a fantastic flat land right beside the new Okene General Hospital in Okuanatahu, Okene LGA. Opposite the market is where our proposed fire service station will be constructed,” she said.
Senator Natasha will surely be remembered for her love for her people, a woman who, amidst all persecutions, still stands tall, fighting for what will benefit the larger masses.
– Isah Bala writes from Kogi state.
