By Eze Victor
The House of Representatives has taken a major step toward addressing long-standing infrastructural and agricultural imbalances in Nigeria’s Southeast region, as lawmakers move to establish a new River Basin Development Authority to be headquartered in Ebonyi State.
The initiative, championed by Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, seeks to correct what he described as “a historical injustice” that has left the Southeast with only one River Basin Authority since the 1970s.
Speaking during the grand finale of his two-year stewardship and constituency project commissioning at Ngbo Central School, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Eze revealed that the proposed agency — the Ebonyi–Enugu River Basin Authority aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote irrigation-based farming, and expand access to clean water across the region.
“We have been marginalized for too long. I currently have a bill before the National Assembly to correct this imbalance,” the lawmaker said.
“When established, this authority will generate jobs, boost food production, and tackle water-related challenges in our communities,” he further stated.
Eze disclosed that preparations are underway for a public hearing on the bill, and he urged Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru to participate actively, emphasizing that the state’s involvement would help underscore the urgency of the initiative before President Bola Tinubu.
Beyond the River Basin project, the lawmaker used the event to highlight his broader development agenda, particularly in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
He announced that 64 students from his constituency are currently on full scholarships under his education support scheme, with all fees fully covered.
He also revealed that the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Study Center in Ngbo has now been upgraded and approved as a degree-awarding institution, opening new opportunities for tertiary education within the area.
“When you give a person education, you empower them,” he said.
In furthering his educational initiatives, Eze disclosed that he has sponsored a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Environment in Ohaukwu Local Government Area — a move he said would complement national efforts to tackle environmental challenges through academic research and innovation.
On health and welfare, the legislator listed numerous constituency projects completed over the past two years, including free medical screenings, distribution of essential drugs, and agricultural empowerment programs featuring hand tractors and borehole installations.
He emphasized that all medical items provided must be distributed free of charge, warning against extortion.
Eze also commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for supporting food relief initiatives in the constituency through the distribution of rice and other palliative items to vulnerable residents.
Reaffirming his commitment to participatory governance, the lawmaker explained that he has consistently made copies of the national budget available to community leaders for review and input, ensuring that constituency projects reflect the “people’s charter of needs.”
“It is not for me alone to decide what to do. It is for you to tell me what we need,” he said.
He further revealed that one of his motions before the House seeks the creation of additional state constituencies in Ohaukwu Local Government Area to accommodate its growing population, noting that the motion has already been passed and forwarded to INEC for verification.
Eze expressed appreciation to his constituents and to Governor Nwifuru and his wife for their continuous support, pledging to maintain transparency and accountability in his service delivery.
“Every year, I will gather my people to present my stewardship report. This is democracy. I welcome your feedback and suggestions on how we can do better,” he stated.
The lawmaker concluded by reaffirming his determination to attract more federal presence to Ebonyi State and the Southeast region, promising to return next year for the presentation of his third-year performance report.