Why I invest in road infrastructure, education as a lawmaker – Kalu
Sen. Orji Kalu (APC-Abia North) says he invests in road infrastructure and education as a lawmaker and formerly as a governor because such makes him tick in governance.
Kalu made the assertion in a statement made available to the newsmen on Sunday, saying that he has a burning desire to serve the people.
He said that concentrating on such sectors, including health, agriculture, and sports, among others, makes him deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
The former Senate Chief Whip said he was convinced that investment in these sectors would provide opportunities for people to be meaningfully engaged.
“To achieve these goals, I embarked on massive road construction in urban and rural areas and introduced free education from primary to secondary schools.
“I made educational pursuits at the Abia University (ABSU) affordable, made the institution very efficient, and paid salaries regularly.
“I ensured that our mothers and children received proper medical attention by making drugs available and accessible,” he said.
Kalu added that such intervention in the health sector necessitated the establishment of the Abia University Teaching Hospital ABSUTH, Aba.
” I distributed improved seedlings to farmers to improve agricultural produce.
“I also invested heavily in sports to discover talents and properly engage youths with the Enyimba Football Club of Abakaliki as the flagship,” he said.
Kalu said that as a senator, he has constructed over 60 rural roads and built and equipped over 70 new schools across Abia North Senatorial District.
“I distributed free textbooks and other educational materials to students across the district, as well as sponsoring the Universal Free Education Bill at the Senate.
“It is my belief that only sincere investment in youth development and education would tackle most of the challenges affecting Nigeria.
“This is because the skills acquired through learning will provide more career and employment opportunities to our youth and women,” he said.
Kalu said that such opportunities would enable them to be more effective in their jobs and compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
