As the race for the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency hots up, one of the aspirants gunning for the seat on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Honourable Henry Ofongo is banking on his philanthropy to secure the party’s nomination.
Many factors; including political antecedents, the pedigree of the personality involved, previous contributions to the development of Southern Ijaw Federal constituency and beyond as two-time member of the Green Chamber, philanthropic efforts, and motions on critical issues to better the lives of his constituents at the House of Representatives are some of the selling points of the Igbomotoru-born seasoned politician and ranking member of the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Henry Daniel Ofongo.
His growing acceptance is not by any means a fluke. He has a lot going for him as he enjoys a huge reception in his expanding political empire.
The smooth political ride Henry Ofongo is having on his journey to the Green Chamber in 2019 is purely as a result of his achievements of yesterday.
Taking a memory lane for instance, being a Local Government Area that is below normal sea level, over eighty percent of the communities in Southern Ijaw were victims of the famous 2012 flood disaster; as houses, farmlands and individuals displaced. While the flood lasted, Honourable Ofongo literally relocated his office to Southern Ijaw to cater for the needs of the flood victims by providing relief materials such as food stuffs, toiletries, medicals and building materials after making a strong point on the floor of the National Assembly on the pains and agony brought to his people by the flood.
Amassoma is the only community motorable in the entire local government area and a population dominated by farmers, Honourable Ofngo saw the need for the construction of a cassava processing plants, fishing nets and storage facilities to preserve the farm produce.
Today, many communities (including Amassoma) have benefitted from such people-oriented projects.
As the Local Government that hosts the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe the Law Maker embarked on the finishing of lecture theatres to ensure that the students receive lectures in a conducive environment as well improve the aesthetics of the environment.
Despite its riverine nature, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area has no regional water project, hence, the last resort is to rely on the crude oil polluted rivers and streams, with the attendant consequences of life threatening ailments such as cholera, diarrhea among others. This regrettable situation necessitated the provision of solar borehole projects in Azazuama, Forupa,Igbomotoru and many more. This is quite a huge project; considering the fact that the Local Government has over three hundred communities, seeking the attention of a single law maker.
It’s not all about the basics of life but also empowerment programmes and this cuts across all strata of the society. For instance, wheelchairs were donated to the physically challenged to aid their mobility, medical outreach to the indigent, employment of graduates and other categories in Federal, State and in the Private Sector as well as skills acquisition programmes for youths and women to be employers of labour.
This is the unsung story of the Secret Philanthropist and Contemporary Politician par-excellence..Honourable Henry Daniel Ofongo.
For the people of Southern Ijaw, it’s their sincere appeal that let the Good Works continue and it is a call Ofongo gladly Answered.
