Senator Patrick Ndubueze: Three Years of Selfless And People-Centred Representation.

By Ethelbert Nwachukwu

The question that will immediately agitate the mind of such an observer is, where is the retinue of security operatives and hangers–on, over the years, associated with that office? Not for Ndubueze.

That tells the story of his approach to representation, his simplicity.

His detractors have often given this ordinariness a pejorative interpretation but that is what makes the man who he is.

I have been associated with the Umualumoke-born Civil Engineer/Economist and his senatorial ambition since 2013 and l can tell how disturbed he is about the developmental inertia associated with Okigwe zone. So, expectedly l have been anxious to witness his approach to the development of Okigwe zone if given the opportunity after losing to the Nigerian factor on three consecutive occasions.

This is one of the many reasons l respect the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma who did not allow the notorious Nigerian factor to deal another devastating blow on Ndubueze in 2023 and has been supportive of him since then.

Except for those who may have been blinded by their insatiable longing for cash from Senator Ndubueze, not a few persons will agree that the unassuming Senator has recorded unprecedented achievements within the past three years.

For the first time in the history of Legislative representation in Okigwe zone, a bill for the establishment of a Federal University in the zone was sponsored and pursued till its passage and signing into an Act by the President. The issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the site (which is the only hurdle left before takeoff) will soon be effected, the principal officers appointed, and the institution will resume in earnest.

Senator Ndubueze’s penchant for the performance of both obligatory and supererogatory functions is admirable. Rather than concern himself with his law-making responsibilities alone, the hardworking Senator would go out of his way to scout for projects that would lift his constituency. One of the results of such extra-legislative pursuits is the attraction of a 1/63 MVA Mobile Transmission Station (MOBITRA) from the Federal Government,  to assuage the feelings of his constituents who, for over twenty years, have been without electricity. With this equipment and accessories currently being installed, power supply will soon be restored and economic activities will pick up in the zone in less than no time. The contribution of the State Governor  Senator Hope Uzodimma to the realization of this project must be put on record. The State government injected over N1.5bn into the preparation of the substation yard, constructing internal roads, putting up structures, re-erecting perimeter fence and providing security.

With the University and the power project alone, the name of Senator Ndubueze has been etched in gold in the annals of Okigwe development history.

The long abandoned Ezinnachi Agricultural Silo facility has, through the instrumentality of Senator Ndubueze, been relocated for reactivation to a safer place in the same Community. This is despite attempts by Senators from neighboring states to corner the facility. The reactivation of this silo will facilitate the storage and preservation of otherwise wasted grains and other agricultural products within the South East zone.

Senator Ndubueze’s attraction of two Communications Base Stations with 10km coverage area and provision for seven networks from the National Communications Commission has been lauded by those in the telecommunications industry within the zone and beyond. It is expected that when completed, the facilities, currently being installed at Okigwe and Ehime, will reasonably improve GSM telephone connectivity and network reception in Okigwe zone.

Leveraging on his engineering background and his short-lived chairmanship of the Works Committee, the Senator ensured that numerous inter-connecting roads in the zone are captured in the 2024/2025 Appropriation Act.

Notable among these roads is the Umualumoke – Umualoma – Ikpem – Umuelemai road with two bridges which is currently under construction. Six other road projects captured in the budget have either been scooped for award or been awarded.

The Senator also used his strategic position as Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC to secure approval for the construction of some major rural roads including Mbakwe road in Obowo LGA which has been scooped under emergency procurement for award and subsequent construction.

In addition to the road projects, most of which will be awarded as soon as funds are released, Senator Ndubueze has facilitated many other projects targeted at making life worth living in rural Communities across the zone. Through his efforts, Umuduruegheaguru in Onuimo and Ikpem in Ehime Mbano which have been without portable water for decades can now boast of boreholes, and the people are happy. Other such projects include the reconstruction of Umualumoke, Okigwe and Okwe, Onuimo Health Centres, completion of the Federal vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, Umueze 1., Ehime Mbano which will soon be awarded, facilitation of the construction under the sustainable Development Goals, of one block of four classroom blocks in New Primary School, Mgboma, Alike Obowo and one block of four class room blocks in Urban Modern Secondary School, Okigwe.

Senator Ndubueze’s forward – looking approach to representation is manifest in his facilitation of over seventy pensionable employments in Federal establishments for youths in the zone.

Out of these, thirty-seven have started work while the others are waiting in the wings for documentation. Some of the beneficiary youths recently granted interviews expressing appreciation to the Senator. In a similar vein, he sponsored ten youths for training programmes in China, organized workshops for over one thousand women and youths in the zone and secured employment opportunities for four citizens of Imo North Senatorial zone extraction in Kuwait. The Senator also has one hundred and nineteen youths from the senatorial district in his payroll as political Aides.

The twenty-one youths who benefited from the Federal Ministry of Steel Development Boot Camp training programme in Onitsha are still full of gratitude for him.

A grassroots politician, Senator Ndubueze has continued to touch base with all strata of his constituents through constituency briefings and empowerments. In a monumental show of capacity, the Senator, in December 2024 distributed three hundred and twenty-five empowerment items encompassing mini-buses, tricycles, motorcycles, laptops, sewing machines, generators, refrigerators, etc to lucky constituents.

Thrilled by the sheer scale of the empowerment, the State governor who unveiled the empowerment items said, “with this level of empowerment and other achievements, I have no doubt that your people will return you to the Senate”.

 Was the governor prophesying? No, he was being realistic. The Senator also subsequently distributed over four thousand bags of rice and other items to the needy in the zone.

Apart from the celebrated Federal University, Okigwe Act, his two most notable Legislative propositions (out of the seven bills and numerous motions sponsored by him) are the Local Automotive Industry Bill and the Local content Bill ( Non-oil and Gas ) both of which seek to encourage local content in contracts and patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products.

Pray, which Senator/Lawmaker has recorded this level of achievements in Okigwe zone since 1999 and remained so humble? None.

The Senator never ceases to thank the State Governor for his guidance and support. This commendable humble gesture has been mischievously and misleadingly painted to mean boot-licking by some desperately Senate-hungry politicians. Such a pedestrian ploy to demean the Senator is already failing as his performance reputation continues to soar.

Unbiased observers and pragmatic politicians are aware that loyalty to and collaboration with your governor is the beginning of wisdom especially in the Nigerian political setting. To be at odds with your governor is to shoot yourself and, by extension, your constituents in the leg.

Senator Patrick Chiwuba  Ndubueze has lifted representation in Imo North Senatorial Zone to an all time high and by the time he completed two terms in the Senate, Imo North Senatorial zone would have assumed a pride of place in Imo State.