Against the Odds: Ukodhiko Delivering Results Despite Budget Funding Delay

The member representing Isoko North and South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rep. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko was inaugurated in June 2023 at the commencement of the 10th National Assembly.

At the time he assumed office, the federal budget for that fiscal year had already been passed and was in operation, leaving him and many other newly elected first-time lawmakers, with little opportunity to influence or contribute to projects captured in that budget.

In 2024, the only budget cycle implemented since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, Rep. Ukodhiko, like most members of the House of Representatives, was allocated a Capital Projects nomination envelope of ₦200 million and a Zonal Intervention Project (ZIP) envelope of ₦113 million. This brought the total to ₦313 million to cater for a constituency comprising 24 federal wards and over sixty autonomous communities across Isoko North and South Local Government Areas.

Despite this modest allocation, alongside additional resources he successfully lobbied for, Rep. Ukodhiko ensured that available funds were directed toward projects and programmes with visible and meaningful impact across the constituency.

Within the 2024 budget framework and the supplementary interventions he facilitated, classroom blocks were constructed at Owodokpokpor Grammar School and Odueni Secondary School in Olomoro. School desks were also distributed to Ogu Primary School in Otor-Igho, Emiye Girls Grammar School in Oleh, Owodokpokpor Grammar School, and Alaka Grammar School in Ozoro, significantly improving learning conditions for both pupils and teachers.

A Youth Multipurpose Hall was constructed in Erawha-Owhe, providing a functional space for youth engagement, educational activities, and social events. In addition, medical equipment was supplied to Primary Health Centres in Otor-Igho, Okpe-Isoko, Isi-Emevor, Edherie, and Orie, strengthening primary healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

Beyond infrastructure, Rep. Ukodhiko implemented several empowerment programmes aimed at enhancing the welfare and economic prospects of constituents. These included business support grants for individuals trained in soap making, as well as financial support for traders and artisans.

Youth and women empowerment initiatives also featured skill acquisition training in air freshener and bleach production, car tracking, graphic design, tiling, and tailoring.

These programmes were complemented by financial assistance designed to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance among small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the constituency.

In the area of education, Rep. Ukodhiko has remained actively engaged in supporting students through targeted interventions. These include free JAMB registration, free Computer-Based Test (CBT) training, and the award of scholarships to eleven Isoko students.

Ten of whom are pursuing professional courses at Madonna University, while one beneficiary is supported from primary school through university level.

According to data from Southern Delta University, Ozoro, and Delta State University, Oleh Campus, his interventions have also contributed to increased student participation in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), easing financial burdens on parents and guardians.

Additionally, eleven constituents have secured employment opportunities in government agencies and private organisations through his facilitation.

In the agricultural sector, over 800 bags of NPK and urea fertilisers were distributed to farmers through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, while relief materials were provided to flood-affected constituents through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Additionally, 150 constituents benefitted from the Federal Government SMEDAN conditional grant transfer of 50,000 for indigent households through his intervention.

In 2025, the Federal Government increased the project nomination envelope for members of the House of Representatives to ₦1 billion, raising expectations nationwide. However, funding for these projects is yet to be released, delaying implementation in most constituencies, except for a few.

Despite these funding limitations, some projects included in the 2025 budget by Rep. Ukodhiko have already been executed by contractors with the capacity to pre-finance their work. These include the Otor-Owhe water rehabilitation project, training and empowerment of youths in fishery and piggery, and a free medical outreach featuring cancer screening and eye treatment.

Under the empowerment programmes, 50 beneficiaries in piggery received ₦500,000 each as agro-business support, while 50 fishery beneficiaries received 1,500 juvenile fish, six bags of fish feed, and ₦150,000 each.

Additional initiatives include youth training in bead, stud, and cufflink production, with ₦200,000 provided to each beneficiary for business support.

Ongoing infrastructure efforts include the upgrade of electricity supply in Owhe clan communities from 11kVA to 33kVA now fully completed and awaiting commissioning by BEDC as well as erosion control work at Fred Obe Street in Ozoro.

Rep. Ukodhiko has also nominated several impactful projects in the 2025 budget across Isoko North and South, targeting critical sectors such as education, infrastructure, youth development, and social welfare.

Once funding is released, communities across Isoko are expected to witness a new phase of development that will significantly improve living standards.

In March 2025, as part of activities marking his 50th birthday, Rep. Ukodhiko provided ₦60 million in business support to constituents as part of his corporate social responsibility. This included ₦500,000 each to 20 medium-scale businesses or startups, ₦200,000 each to 200 small-scale entrepreneurs, and ₦100,000 each to 100 petty traders.

Political observers note that Rep. Ukodhiko’s performance since his inauguration reflects a pragmatic and results-driven approach to representation maximising limited opportunities while consistently advocating for greater development for his constituency.

For many constituents, the verdict remains clear: despite funding delays, Rep. Ukodhiko has demonstrated commitment, responsive leadership, and a strong drive for the development of Isoko North and South Federal Constituency.

As discussions about the future continue, many believe that granting him another term would enable him to consolidate ongoing efforts and deliver even greater impact.

PROJECTS AWAITING AWARD AND MOBILISATION (2025 Budget)

1. Equipping of a Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre at Owhelogbo General Hospital.
2. Supply of Medical Equipment to PHCs in Irri, Otor-Igho, Aviara, and Otor-Owhe.
3. Renovation of Classrooms (Primary and Secondary Schools)
4. Construction of Internal Roads (Interlocking).
5. Erosion and Flood Control Works in Eniagbedi
6. Erosion and Road Improvement Works in Aviara
7. Road Improvements in Oleh
   Provision of Solar Streetlights across Isoko
8. Equipping of Skills Acquisition Centres in Isoko South
9. Construction of Lock-up Stalls at Ozoro Evening Market
10. Internal Road Construction (NBRRI Technology) in Oleh
11. Internal Road Construction (NBRRI Equipment) in Erawha
12. Construction of a Skills Acquisition Centre in Otor-Igho
13. Renovation and Equipping of Olomoro Town Hall
14. Road Construction and Rehabilitation in Emevor
15. Solar-Powered Borehole Projects
16. Construction of Ototie Street Road, Etevie Community, Ozoro
17. Technology Skills Transfer in Palm Oil, Cassava, and Pepper Processing
18. Transformer Installation in Selected Communities.

2025 Supplementary Projects

19. Construction of Modern Lock-up Stalls at Oghara-Iyede
20. Market and installation of solar-powered streetlights in Otor-Iyede
21. Construction of a Solar-Powered Water System in Okpe-Isoko and fencing/gatehouse at Oketa Mixed Grammar School, Ofagbe
22. Supply of empowerment and relief materials to youths and women (multiple lots)
23. Renovation and furnishing of a block of four classrooms at Urie Secondary School, Emede
24. Construction and equipping of an ICT/JAMB CBT Centre at Enwhe
25. Supply of science equipment to Umeh Grammar School and educational materials to Erowa Primary School
26. Supply of school materials to selected primary schools in Isoko North and South
27. Supply of hospital equipment to PHCs in Isoko North and South.

Written by IKODUDU KINGSLEY
A voter from Owhe Ward 6