From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday, received the award plaque for winning the “Overall Best Constituency Projects and Human Relations Award” for 2022 organised by the Senate Press Corps.
The senate correspondents had in June honoured Kalu with the award in recognition of his efforts in executing massive developmental projects and promoting healthy communication synergy among his colleagues, constituents and workers within the National Assembly.
Answering questions from journalists after receiving the plaque, the former Abia State governor said his goal was to mitigate rural-urban migration through the provision of basic amenities for rural dwellers.
He said the migration of youths from rural to urban areas in search of greener pastures could be discouraged by enhancing the livelihood of rural communities through the provision of basic public utilities, cottage industries, among others.
He also stressed the need to create avenues for rural dwellers to generate income within their communities, citing the example of the recent deal he signed with PowerChina in Abuja, for the establishment of five Agro-Industrial parks, worth $500 million.
On his re-election bid, Kalu expressed confidence in his scorecard , noting that the people will vote for him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of massive infrastructural developments sited in their localities in the more than three and a half years of his representation at the senate.
He said he was his own rival as no other candidate could match his popularity and acceptance by the people.
“Election is coming and I’m not shaking because I know I am with the people. The people are there. The election in Abia North I can tell you people frankly it is Orji Kalu versus Orji Kalu , there is no other candidate and that is the truth. It is only one party in our area and that party is the All Progressives Congress (APC) and people will vote 98 per cent APC in that senatorial district. I can bet anybody with money.”