Anambra Rep Member Blames Poor Budget Funding for Slow Pace of Road, Constituency Projects Delivery

By Olisemeka Obeche

House of Representatives Member for Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, has blamed delay in release of funds for projects captured in the national assembly budget for the slow pace of delivery of his constituency projects as well as the ongoing Otuocha-Anam-Nzam-Ibaji federal road project.

Hon. Aniekwe made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists at his country home, Oroma-Etiti Anam, Anambra West Local government area of Anambra state.
Speaking on the long awaited Otuocha – Anam-Nzam-Ibaji federal road project, the lawmaker expressed satisfaction with progress of work on the project site, declaring that before the end of this year, the project would have reached advanced stage of completion.

He however, cited budget funding delay as cause of slow pace of the project.

“We are doing everything humanly possible to make sure that the road project is completed, but we have constraints when it comes to funding. And that is causing the delay. You know that road is a federal government project and funding is a major constraint and that is why it’s moving at a slow pace.

While presenting his legislative scorecards, Aniekwe listed numerous projects he attracted as well as constituents empowerment initiatives he had executed so far to include the completion of the Umudora Anam road, school infrastructure improvements, and the installation of solar street lights across all 25 wards in the constituency.

He also listed boreholes sunk in Nando, Inoma, Nsugbe and Aguleri, as well as empowerment programme that disbursed grants to 90 beneficiaries, distributed 28 motorcycles to youths and supplied laptops to students. “These interventions were designed to deliver tangible benefits and improve the quality of life of my constituents,” he said.

He, however disclosed that numerous projects he attracted for his constituency in the budget had not been delivered due to funding constraints.

“I would have done more for my people in Anambra East and west, but the major constraint is that the budget is not being funded. That is a very big challenge to us legislators, as most of these projects that I’ve done, many more are still in the budget waiting for funding approvals. I have so many empowerment initiatives for my constituents that are in the budget. Most of them, I went extra miles to secure”, he said, while expressing confidence that he would deliver on his electoral promises before the next election.

“I’m optimistic about the next election, because once this issue of budget funding is addressed, and I have the opportunity to deliver what I had attracted for my people, they will appreciate me more and stand solidly behind me to return to the green chamber.

The Rep member, also called for the dredging of the River Niger by the federal government to address the annual flooding crisis that had cause sufferings, heavy economic and ecological losses to residents of his constituency.

He stressed that annual flooding will continue to wreak havoc and impoverish residents of lowland areas like Anambra West for as long as authorities limit their response to emergency relief rather than committing to structural environmental solutions.

“Emergency relief remains necessary, but durable solutions must focus on environmental management and river control. Dredging the River Niger is the only long-term strategy that will prevent seasonal flooding while simultaneously creating real economic opportunities in inland water transport and fisheries,” Aniekwe said.

Anambra West, a low-lying riverine territory straddling the Niger floodplain, is among south-eastern Nigeria’s most flood-exposed areas, with seasonal floods routinely destroying crops, displacing families and disrupting trade. Beyond his dredging call, Mr Aniekwe said he had already pursued legislative advocacy, facilitated relief materials and brokered partnerships with emergency agencies to ease the immediate burden on affected communities.
The Rep member also begged the Anambra State Government to prioritise the Onono–Umuikwu Anam road, describing it as critical for agricultural evacuation and emergency access in riverine communities.

“That road has been in a bad condition for so long and it’s a state road, and it connects to Asaba as well. When completed, it will make it easier for our people that are coming home, as they will cross the River Niger through Onono instead of going through the long and stressful journey of traveling through the Niger Bridge, Onitsha and Otuocha. So my appeal to Governor Soludo is that remember that fixing the access road is very important and key to the people of Anambra West and we are waiting for him to fulfil that promise.

I’m optimistic about the next election, because once this issue of budget funding is addressed, and I have the opportunity to deliver what I had attracted for my people, they will appreciate me more and stand solidly behind me to return to the green chamber.