The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji Thursday went on an inspection tour of three mini stadiums he attracted to the people of his immediate constituency and beyond.
The Speaker’s first port of call was the mini stadium at Isieke which construction has reached an advanced stage.
Reacting to the quality of work at the site, the Speaker said he was impressed with the quality of the job done so far even as he advised the engineer to make sure that quality was not compromised for anything.
Indigenes of Isieke community, pupils and students of Isieke Primary School and Isieke Secondary School, where the project is located, all came out in their numbers to welcome the Speaker with some carrying placards with inscriptions appreciating him. The Speaker used the opportunity to interact with the scholars and advised them to take their studies seriously while also making effective use of the facility when it is completed.
In their remarks, the respective school heads thanked the Speaker for choosing their schools located in one large space as the site for the stadium promising to help keep it clean.
They also thanked the Speaker for his promise to give the schools a major facelift so as to make it more conducive for both students and staff.
Addressing leaders and people of the community, the Speaker narrated how the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has been of immense support to him in executing the projects and urged the community in particular and the people in general to greatly appreciate the Governor.
Assuring them that more of similar projects would be replicated across Umuahia, the Speaker urged the beneficiaries to ensure proper use of the facility and protect it from vandals.
From there, the Speaker proceeded to St Stephen’s Primary School in Urban Ward 2, Umuahia, where another mini stadium is being constructed. The Speaker got full assurances from the engineer handling the mini stadium that he would deliver an impressive edifice within the time agreed.
The Speaker and his entourage then left for Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA, for the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony of another mini stadium project he attracted to the community.
Before arriving the mini stadium site, the Speaker respectfully did a stopover at the country home of Elder Statesman, Chief Tony Ukasoanya. The Speaker said he came to see the foremost Chief as his mark of respect for him.
The Speaker was then accompanied by Chief Tony Ukasoanya and top stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Umuahia South Local Government Area to the mini stadium project site.
At the site, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji again reiterated Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s full support and backing in the realisation of the projects attributing it to the excellent working relationship between the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government which has continued to yield more dividends of democracy for the people.
The Speaker further said that the project was borne out of the love he particularly has for the people of Umuahia South as other parts of the State and announced that the three clans in Umuahia South, namely, Olokoro, Umuokpara and Ubakala will have one mini stadium each.
The Speaker then announced to the excitement of the teeming crowd that the Ubakala mini stadium upon completion will be named after Chief Tony Ukasoanya.
Chief Tony Ukasoanya in company of the Speaker thereafter performed the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony.
After the ground breaking ceremony, the Okezuo Abia Women Group, Umuahia South Chapter, led by their Leader, Hon Kelechi Aguiyi, treated the Speaker to a warm reception.
Chief Tony Ukasoanya, Hon Benson Humphrey, the Executive Chairman of Umuahia South LGA, Hon Jerry Uzosike, Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Pastor Emeka Inyama, Chief Max Ndukwe Adindu, Mr Roland Gbaruko, Chairman of Abia Angels Football Club and other top party faithfuls, community leaders and youths in Umuahia South joined the Speaker to the event.
