The member representing Nnewi North State constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor has handed over a renovated house to a widow, Mrs. Eberechukwu Igwilo at her Umuzu Mbana, Otolo, Nnewi home.
The renovated house was burnt down few months ago following a power surge, affecting a major part of the building including the sitting room and the bedroom.
It will be recalled that Hon. Okafor has in the last one year, focused on projects that had a ripple effect on the masses especially the downtrodden, some of which were mostly based on the recommendations of his constituents.
Speaking on the genesis of the project, the lawmaker said, “On the morning of Thursday 9th July, 2020, I got a distress call from one of my constituents, who informed me that a house belonging to one of my constituents in Umuzu Mbana Otolo Nnewi, Mrs. Eberechukwu Igwilo, was gutted by fire.
“Although close neighbours helped in putting-out the fire which was caused by power surge, a major part of the building was affected, especially the sitting room and bedroom room which resulted to the loss of most of her properties.
“During my visit to the scene of the incident, I learnt that the poor victim, who has five (5) kids, lost her husband, Late Mr. Jude Igwilo, in 2011. I was further moved to pity when I saw that a major part of the house was already getting dilapidated, while the roof was filled with holes, planks were used as the ceiling. The pit toilet and bathroom was in a sorry state, the kitchen was not also different from others. Obviously, Mrs. Eberechukwu Igwilo who has been surviving through the help of neighbours, needed more help.”
He explained that despite the deficiency of funds and the difficulty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, he took on the project which according to him was in line with his commitment to his constituents.
“By the grace of God, I embarked on the total renovation of the house in the month of August. While greater part of the house was re-roofed, I installed new windows and doors, rewired the entire compound, tiled the house, re-roofed the kitchen, built a modern toilet and bath, painted the entire house, the kitchen, the toilet and bath. Every item befitting of a comfortable home was purchased including set of cushion chairs and a centre table, curtains, flat-screen LED TV and GOtv with a year subscription.
“During the handover, today, in the knowledge that Mrs. Igwilo has virtually no means of livelihood as she cannot sustain her family wellbeing with her present business of roasting corn, I empowered her financially to enable her start-up a business that will take care of her family, especially the education and feeding of her kids. I believe that she will put the money into judicious use”, he added.
While appreciating God who he said had continued to give him the enabling grace to discharge his responsibilities as a representative of the people, though daunting, yet a fulfilling task, he equally commended every member of his constituency for looking out for one another noting that “you make it easy to identify these projects.”
He concluded by saying, “To my constituents, I promise to continue to use every available resource in the service and development of our constituency, Nnewi North. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.”
Photo: Front view of the burnt house renovated by member representing Nnewi North State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor.
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