House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu of the APC, representing Bende Constituency (Abia State), has been asked by his Labour Party rival in the 2023 poll, Mr Iheanyi Chinasa, to update his constituents on the current execution status of federal government projects in the constituency.

Chinasa noted that Hon Kalu had claimed to have facilitated some of the projects for execution in the constituency. He particularly cited the ₦7 billion Amewu and Methodist gully erosion control projects, stating that these projects have not yet been completed.

Chinasa added that these two erosion control sites are included in the budget, and, as their representative in the House and Deputy Speaker, Hon Kalu owes his constituents explanations regarding their progress.

Insisting that Hon Kalu should press for the execution of the Bende constituency projects captured in the national budget, especially those he claimed to have facilitated or attracted, Chinasa, who is now Governor Alex Otti’s Abuja Liaison Officer, said Kalu should provide clarity on their progress, noting his position as a Principal Officer in the National Assembly.

In addition to the gully erosion control projects, Chinasa requested that Hon Kalu take his constituents and journalists on an inspection tour of ongoing and completed projects in the constituency. He stated that he was making this request on behalf of himself and other constituents.

It would be recalled that Hon Kalu, on 3 October in Aba, during the commissioning of some roads by President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Works Minister, Engineer Dave Umahi, commented on the state’s financial performance, rating monthly earnings at between N38 and N40 billion.

Chinasa emphasised that his request for Hon Kalu to update his constituents was not politically motivated, but a civic duty to demand accountability from elected representatives.

He said, “This is beyond politics. I am a citizen of Bende. The Deputy Speaker has provided a list of projects approved for our constituency. Now, I want those on his list verified by an independent body to ascertain their status.”

Chinasa also urged for an independent media audit to verify the claims, indicating that, should the Deputy Speaker be unable to provide the necessary update, he could personally sponsor the verification exercise.