Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Lawmaker lawmaker representing Onicha East Constituency in the Ebonyi State Assembly, Hon. Celestine Ogba Ifeanyi, has described the Ebonyi state Assembly as the most peaceful and productive assembly in the country.
Hon. Celestine who made this known in an interview with SpringNews, opened up about his remarkable journey amidst challenges and achievements in his first year in office.
He highlighted his focus on “constitutional projects” aimed at transforming his constituency, including rural electrification initiatives, school renovations, and crucial healthcare registrations.
Despite facing legal battles over his mandate and navigating the complexities of opposition politics, he remains steadfast in his commitment to delivering impactful change for his constituents.
Addressing the recent political developments, Hon. Ifeanyi spoke candidly on reasons he joined the All Progressive Congress (APC), emphasizing his desire for inclusive governance and alignment with the state’s developmental agenda under Governor Nwifuru.
Below are excerpts for readers delight
Can you introduce yourself
I’m Hon. Celestine Ogba Ifeanyi, member of the Ebonyi State Assembly, representing Onicha East Constituency.
Kindly outline your achievements as a lawmaker representing Onitsha East Constituency
In my first year in office, I’ve focused on “constitutional projects” that benefit my constituents. These include rural electrification through solar installation, renovation and equipping of Amankwo Community Primary School, registration of constituents for health insurance, and acquisition of an ambulance for emergency services. I’ve also supported education by registering students for WAEC and providing bursaries. Additionally, I’ve engaged in youth empowerment programs and supported local traders with financial assistance.
What are some of the bills you’ve sponsored?
I haven’t sponsored any bills personally, but I’ve participated in debates and made submissions on various bills, including the Ebonyi health insurance scheme, EBRORA, and the small and medium-scale enterprise bill.
What challenges have you faced in the house?
My challenges include distractions from legal battles over my mandate, navigating the political system as an opposition party member, and managing high expectations from my constituency. So within this first year, I was able to put myself together, clean up my table, and believe me, in my second year in office, the work is about to start because I am now ready.
Did these challenges influence your decision to defect to the APC?
No, my decision was driven by a desire for inclusive governance and to support the governor’s people-oriented administration. I want to be part of the decision-makers within the state; I want to be a lawmaker; I don’t just want to answer a lawmaker; they are two different things, so these are the reasons that informed my decision.
If the Labour Party, which gave you their mandate, were to withdraw it, what would be your reaction?
Whichever action they take, there is a reaction to it. It is a constitutional matter; they have their own constitutional backing to take whatever legal action they want to take, and being a lawyer, I’m also a constitutional person, and I also have my own constitutional backing to take whatever action I take or might have taken. It is a constitutional matter; it is not something we will discuss here; it is only the court of competent jurisdiction that has the final say.
How would you rate Gov Nwifuru’s performance?
I score him high, considering his achievements in pension payments, worker welfare, health, and education. He has shown marvelous leadership, and we expect more from his administration.
That’s why people like me don’t want to be a distraction to him, because when he hears that somebody like the honorable Ogba is not in the same line-up with him, he will say, What did I do to Ogba?I want Ogba to come over. So we want to have the same mind, a focused brain, foresight, and direction for where we are going without distraction.
That’s how I could score him for now, and we are expecting that by the second year or even before the end of this tenure, Ebonyi will not be the same, because there is one thing the governor does that is marvelous.
I will say that there are dead souls in Ebonyi State, and though they are living, some elements of our lives are already dead. That place is where he went, and water, and make sure we come back to life. Like clearing the backlog of pensions and arrears, it is marvelous; worker welfare is another important area.
You cannot talk about governance without the civil service. If you have a very good civil service that is comfortable and well taken care of, then you will have a healthy society. Within one year, his administration and his achievements have touched everyone.
In the area of health, we have a lot to say. We have general hospitals that were empty, but now we have staffed up, even though we need more, like I keep saying. Before, they were empty, but now we have workers, doctors who are residents there, and also nurses, and he has also empowered them for effective discharge of their duty.
It is not about paying their salaries promptly, but he augments them; he also improves their mobility to make sure they go to work when due and discharge their duties effectively.
Also, in education, I’m so lucky that two of the schools are located in my constituency, one in my immediate community; it is three per local government, and my own constituency got two; it is something that makes one very happy.
Also in the area of education, at the last convocation that happened at the Ebonyi State Permanent Site, I was there myself. Like the wrongdoings or mistakes of the past administration towards the institution, he cleaned it up, he reduced students school fees, he augumented the monthly subvention being given to the school, and so many other things.
In empowerment, we saw for ourselves the distribution of two million naira each to 500 Ebonyi indegents to support them in businesses and so many other things he is doing.
He is a father figure in the state, and we believe he is going to do more. We pray God will strengthen him, and we hope he doesn’t look the other way. He should continue to focus on the direction in which he is moving.
What is your experience like in the House of Assembly?
It has been peaceful and productive, allowing us to achieve much for the state. Our cordial relationship with the executive branch has enabled progress, unlike in some other states where conflicts hinder development.So my experience so far as a legislator within one year is nice, good, and peaceful.
Can you say that the current state of Ebonyi Assembly has done much due to its non-controversial state?
The simple answer to that question is yes. People’s expectations and reality sometimes don’t come as expected. To the layman on the street, it is expected that the Ebonyi state assembly should always be at loggerhead with the executive arm of government.
It is like saying that in a family, for a family to progress, mummy and daddy must be quarreling, and then you will know that they are doing something positive for the children. It makes no sense.
So let people stop expecting quarrels to fight and rather let them look at the cordial relationship existing between the legislative and executive branches, because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that bears the brunt.
So should the legislative arm, which is the state house of assembly, be at loggerheads with the executive branch of government, they won’t make progress, and most of the things we fall about won’t be in place, so they should thank us that we are working, and they should thank the governor that he is implementing what we have approved in the house.