In Nnewi, Anambra Lawmaker Builds Modern Toilet Facility For Traders

By Izunna Okafor

Barely two months after building a three-bedroom bungalow for three childless widows in Nnewi, Anambra lawmaker, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor has once more put smile on the faces of his constituents, as he built a world-class modern toilet facility for traders in Eke Amangwu, in Umudim Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area.

The lawmaker who represents the good people of Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly said he was surprise to discover that the market still had no toilet facility 30 years after he was going there as a primary school child, despite being the major/indigenous market of Umudim Nnewi.

Speaking shortly after the commissioning of the project, Hon. Okafor, whose speech reads 'Why I Built Modern Toilet Facility For Eke Amangwu Traders' recounted his experience his experience at the market, and further noted that the facility was both a necessity and a promise fulfilled.

He said, "As a young boy in my primary schools days, I used to join my grandmother, Late  Mrs Elizabeth Nnabuike to sell 'Ogiri' (Locust bean) in Eke Amangwu Market. In those days, due to lack of toilet in the market, open defecation was one of the ways traders and customers respond to call of nature. Some who could not find a corner to ease themselves will have to rush back home.

"Last year, during my electioneering campaign, I visited the market to meet with one of my women leaders, I felt disappointed when she told me on phone call that she was not around the market because she had to rush home to answer the call of nature. This means that the market had remained without a single toilet facility for the past thirty (30) years. I left the market promising myself that I will build a standard public toilet for the use of traders and customers of the market.

"Eke Amangwu is the major/traditional market of Umudim Nnewi, for a market that has been in existence for decades servicing thousands of the residents in the community, there is no reason for the continued absence of a functional toilet facility in the market.

"I am delighted that this project which has been opened today for use will stop unhealthy acts around the market. I believe the facility will put an end to exposure to human waste which causes diseases.

"This project is also in fulfilment of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks to ensure that there is public convenience in every public place to eliminate open defecation by 2030.

"I urge the management and leadership of the market to maintain the facility and treat it as their own personal property.

"My appreciation goes to the Almighty God for His grace upon my life. I thank in a special way, Architect Tony Okonkwo for providing the land where this toilet was built and promising to connect the toilet to his borehole for constant water supply."

While assuring the people of his continuous quality representation, the lawmaker said, "I express my gratitude to the Traditional Ruler of Umudim Nnewi, His Highness, Obi Benneth Okafor (Amaukwu) who commissioned the project, the Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon. Chike Agwuncha and other personalities for their presence.

"I will continue to work tirelessly towards ensuring that the welfare of my constituents remains my priority. God bless you, all."

In their reactions, some of traders in the market who were visibly elated, appreciated and heap praises on the lawmaker for the yet another laudable gesture. They also rained prayers of blessings on him and his political career cum activities, even as they urged him to sustain his quality representation of his people in the state house, which he has already entrenched.

Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor is one of the most 'active' members of the Anambra State's 7th Assembly, not just in quality representation, but also in quality legislation which is the basic function of any lawmaker.

Aside the projects he has completed and commissioned in his constituency, the bright and quintessential lawmaker has also sponsored a plethora of bills and moved many motions at the floor of the State House, including: bill to establish Anambra State Youth Development and Empowerment Commission; motion on the deplorable state of road infrastructure in Nnewi, motion on tackling flooding in Nnewi, the Anambra State Information Technology Bill (ICT), among others.

He has also facilitated some special interventions, on such areas as: excessive electricity billing in Nnewi, the100-Foot Road Erosion Site, decongestion of prisons in Anambra State, among others.