The Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, has clarified that lawmakers do not receive or handle cash for constituency projects, stressing that all such projects are executed strictly through federal government agencies.
Okolie made the clarification during an interactive session with the Aniocha/Oshimili Youth Forum, where he addressed persistent public misconceptions surrounding constituency funds and explained the actual process of project execution at the federal level.
According to the lawmaker, constituency projects are nominated into the national budget by legislators, after which they are assigned to relevant ministries, departments and agencies for implementation.
“At no point is money paid to a legislator,” Okolie said. “Once projects are captured in the budget, government agencies award and supervise the contracts.”
He explained that the value of constituency projects varies widely, ranging from ₦200 million to over ₦3 billion, depending on the size of the constituency and the nature of the projects approved.
The lawmaker noted that when he assumed office in 2023, the budget for that year had already been passed, meaning the projects and contracts contained in it were initiated by previous representatives. As a result, his role at the time was limited to engaging contractors and agencies to ensure execution of already-awarded projects.
He disclosed that his office formally wrote to several agencies and contractors, many of whom had already been paid, to compel them to commence work on stalled projects, particularly road infrastructure within the Oshimili axis of the constituency.
Okolie said the 2024 budget was the first in which he actively participated, but implementation suffered setbacks due to delays in fund releases by the Federal Government. He added that similar challenges affected projects captured in the 2025 budget, as contractors were reluctant to return to site while outstanding payments remained unsettled.
However, he expressed optimism that the situation would soon improve, noting that the Federal Government has begun clearing arrears owed to contractors, a development expected to trigger the resumption of stalled projects across the constituency.
The lawmaker listed several projects initiated under his watch, including classroom construction and renovations, solar-powered street lighting, water projects and cultural infrastructure in various communities.
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He further explained his preference for infrastructure projects over empowerment programmes such as tricycles and motorcycles, which he said often benefit only a small number of individuals.
“Infrastructure like schools, hospitals and pavilions serves everyone in the community,” Okolie said, announcing plans to construct a hospital in Ichibo, where land has already been provided by the host community.
Despite this focus, he said his office has undertaken some limited interventions, including building and furnishing classrooms in Ogwashi-Uku and Washoku, as well as supplying desks and chairs to schools in Oshimili South.
Okolie also disclosed that he deliberately avoids close dealings with contractors once contracts are awarded, opting instead to allow agencies to carry out their duties independently while his office monitors progress through supervisors.
He said the meeting was convened to give constituents the opportunity to hear directly from him and better understand the realities of constituency projects and legislative work.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, the President of the Aniocha/Oshimili Youth Forum, Comrade Chiedu Stanley, commended the lawmaker for the explanation, describing the engagement as enlightening.
They called for sustained grassroots engagement and clearer communication to enable constituents better appreciate the challenges and processes involved in federal project execution.
