The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has appealed for a stronger working relationship between his office and the Abia State Government to drive development across Bende Federal Constituency and other areas of the state.
He expressed concern that certain officials of the Abia State Government allegedly prevented contractors from executing a health centre and school projects he facilitated for Bende, describing the situation as a setback for grassroots development.
Kalu made the remarks during an interactive session with journalists at his country home in Bende, where he questioned the rationale behind blocking federally attracted projects meant to benefit residents.
“It has gotten to a level in Bende where we went to build a health centre and we faced resistance. Why should a Federal Government–attracted project be denied the people?” Kalu asked.
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In reaction, the Abia State Government, on Wednesday, the 28th of January, 2026, countered the claims through the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha. The state government alleged that the Eluokwu Community School in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area, was pulled down on the directive of the Deputy Speaker.
Ukoha stated that the school had already been identified and assigned to a contractor for conversion into a smart school under the Abia State Government’s education upgrade programme, adding that its demolition was carried out without prior engagement with the appropriate state authorities.
He further disclosed that the Abia State Government had earlier provided land to the Deputy Speaker to enable him execute a federal housing project he attracted to his constituency.