Member representing Ezeagu state constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Chima Obieze said he remained committed to uplifting the welfare of members of his constituency.
Obieze, a ranking member of Enugu House of Assembly, has sponsored many people-oriented bills, and undertook many humanitarian and infrastructure programmes, aimed at uplifting the lives of the people of Ezeagu local government.
The programme monitored by Oghe Social Development Association (OSDA), showed that Obieze’s legacy spanned across legislative interventions, humanitarian projects, infrastructure, scholarship and youth empowerment.
For instance, the lawmaker who reclaimed his seat through a Court of Appeal ruling, sponsored Criminal Code Amendment Bill aimed at removing the statute of limitations on prosecuting child defilement cases.
According to a news report, “This ensures that survivors can seek justice regardless of when they come forward.”
What this means that there is no time lag in prosecuting criminal offense in child defilement case.
Related to this is Ransom Payment Criminalisation Bill, which prescribes 15 years imprisonment for anyone caught paying ransom to kidnappers. The purpose is to reduce the profitability of kidnapping.
Hon. Obieze in his quest to protect privacy of individuals, sponsored a Motion Against Indiscriminate Phone Searches.
This bill prohibites unauthorised searches of citizens’ phones by police or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers. He told his colleagues it is gross human rights violation.
The most impactful motion by Hon. Obieze is the Enugu City Development Bill.
The bill establishes a new City Management aygency, which allows inclusion of low-income residents in housing plans.
But it is not through legislations that Hon. Obieze’s impact is felt among his constituents. He undertook humanitarian activities and community outreach, which impacted positively on the people.
Free transport services every Christmas seasons for Ezeagu citizens had been at the centre of Hon. Obieze’s humanitarian activities. He has donated over 20 buses to convey members of constituents back home free of charge, which has has sustained over the years.
He has distributed food, cash and clothing to widows across all 20 wards of Ezeagu local government during festive seasons, and as well undertook medical outreach to the people.
When Academic and Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) went on strike to protest unfair job environment, Obieze donated the sum the ₦1 million to ease the financial burden suffered by Ezeagu members of the associations in the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
To further show his love to education, the lawmaker provided scholarships to over 50 students from Ezeagu local government, covering WAEC, NECO, JAMB, and tuition fees, and as well, organises annual mock exams for SS3 students and pays the registration fees of top-performing students.
Since the world is embracing information technology, Hon. Obieze ensures that members of his constituents are not left behind.
In this wise, he partnered with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to send youths to coding, graphic design, and business boot camps in Abuja and Enugu.
He is not neglecting agriculture, hence he provided over 70 Ezeagu youths with the sum ₦3.5 million each under the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP).
Hon. Obieze facilitated the construction of motorised boreholes in underserved areas like Awha and Obinofia, and has installed solar lights in villages such as Akama Oghe, thus improving safety and security of citizens at night.
He upgraded classrooms and basic healthcare centres with the assistance of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and state Millennium Development Goals (MDG) funds, and advocated road grading and erosion control measures in Umuana, Olo, and Iwollo zones.
Chima Obieze is often praised as one of the most accessible lawmakers in Enugu State.
He maintains a strong online presence, and is available at his constituency office, and attends local events with or without media coverage.
Constituents described him as approachable, principled, and deeply invested in the well-being of the ordinary citizen.
