Senator Kenneth Eze, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and representative of Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, yesterday hailed the ongoing road infrastructure projects across the country and described the 10th National Assembly as the most productive legislative body in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Speaking during a media interaction in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Eze eulogized the federal government’s efforts in road development, particularly the extensive work on the East-West Road. He commended the engineering firms Julius Berger and RCC for their execution of complex infrastructure under challenging terrain conditions.
“If you go to that road, you'll be proud of what is going on there. We’ve gone there for oversight. See the kind of technology that’s been deployed. That terrain is very difficult, but the roads being constructed— some of them rigid pavements stretching 100 kilometers are clearly built to last," he said.
He dismissed criticisms suggesting stagnation in federal infrastructure delivery, contrasting current efforts with previous administrations’ performance. “You can’t have roads failing before contractors even leave site. That’s a thing of the past. This administration, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing things differently,” he noted.
Addressing the broader democratic landscape, Senator Eze acknowledged that Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress. Reflecting on the significance of June 12 and the country’s political evolution, he said: “We must not forget where we came from. The annulment of that election and the military era were part of our learning curve. Even in America, there have been allegations of election malpractice. No democracy is perfect, but we are improving.”
He highlighted technological innovations like card readers and electronic accreditation as pivotal reforms in combating electoral fraud. “Snatching ballot boxes is now almost useless—who’s collecting it if you haven’t accredited human beings?” he queried.
Turning to legislative achievements, Senator Eze said the 10th Senate has recorded an unmatched level of productivity. “No previous Assembly has matched our output within such a timeframe,” he declared, citing the number of bills passed and signed into law under two years. He described the current Senate as the “third decorative Senate,” working closely with the executive under the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“It is not our job to fight the executive. Our constitutional duty is to legislate and perform oversight. If the executive is doing well, we have no reason to quarrel. We only advise where necessary and they listen," he said.
On his representation of Ebonyi Central, the senator emphasized his community-rooted mandate. “I was called by the people to serve. I didn’t lobby for this position. That’s why I take the job seriously,” he stated.
Eze listed several of his legislative contributions, including a bill to establish a specialized vocational polytechnic and another to convert a general hospital to a Federal Medical Centre in Onueke, Ezza South local government area of the state. He noted that his polytechnic bill had become a model for other constituencies. “My vocational polytechnic bill has now been adopted by other constituencies across the country, all using my template,” he added.
In defense of regional equity, he recalled raising a motion in the Senate after discovering that the Southeast had been excluded from a ₦380 billion presidential agricultural intervention fund. “Many would have overlooked it, but I stood my ground. Now a corrigendum is being processed to allocate funds to the Southeast. That’s what it means to represent your people effectively.”
Eze also highlighted his participation in international forums, where he has represented Nigeria before global leaders. “It shows the trust placed in me and the recognition of our efforts,” he said.
At the constituency level, the senator touted what he described as an unprecedented empowerment initiative in Ebonyi Central. “It’s been adjudged by many, including our state governor, that Ebonyi Central has never had it so good. And we’re just getting started,” he said.
Senator Eze reaffirmed his dedication to public service. “It’s not about being the richest. It’s about having the heart to represent your people in all areas—legislative, political, economic, and social. We will continue to do more,” he pledged.
