Help, our representatives are selfish

I have consistently maintained that many people, especially politicians, have no regard for the people. This is quite noticeable in many communities, especially in the southeastern part of the country. Of special interest to me is Ugwulangwu Ezeokechima, a neglected community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Perhaps, the reason for the neglect […]

I have consistently maintained that many people, especially politicians, have no regard for the people. This is quite noticeable in many communities, especially in the southeastern part of the country. Of special interest to me is Ugwulangwu Ezeokechima, a neglected community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Perhaps, the reason for the neglect is that the politicians who represent the people, both in the state and national levels, know that no matter what they do against the community, they will receive no opposition or condemnation. Instead, some members of the community will sing their praises and even pour vituperations on anyone who dares ask questions as to why the community is marginalised, neglected and treated with such level of despicability.
Recently, I posted on Facebook, the staggering amount of money allegedly spent on three federal projects meant for the community by our political representatives. In that post, I did say that three years after the alleged completion of the projects, Ugwulangwu people have never benefitted from any of them. My worry is that the community seems not to be worried about the failed or abandoned projects, which would have drastically reduced poverty among the people had they been completed and put into use.
Here is another clear evidence of the marginalisation and rejection of the people of Ugwulangwu. Out of the 30 people who were trained under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) from the Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo (Ohanivo) federal constituency under the leadership of Hon. Linus Okorie who represents the constituency in the National Assembly, only one person from Ugwulangwu was offered such an opportunity, whereas other communities that make up the constituency had at least two candidates each. Hon Okorie is an indigene of Onicha in Onicha Local Government Area, one of the communities that make up the constituency.
In the NDE skills acquisition training, 8 people from Onicha benefitted. They include Chinenye Agbafor, Joy Okoro, Okechukwu Nkiruka, Nnenna Faith Onicha, Nnenwogo James, Okafor Osinachi U, Ebere Okike and Onu Mercy Chinecherem.
Other communities in the constituency have two beneficiaries each, but Ugwulangwu has one, namely, Chinedu Patrick. Such level of injustice is simply nauseating, to put it mildly. But I give kudos to Hon Linus Okorie for initiating and executing such project.
Also, in the provision of employment/career support for the youth of the constituency, it is doubtful if more than one person from Ugwulangwu benefitted. If there is any other person, the community is yet to know.
 This is the level of neglect, rejection and marginalisation against us, yet we seem to be content with our situation. But whether we like it or not, we must understand that no politician will treat us any better until we learn how to demand for respect for our community. If as a people we cannot rise up against this kind of marginalisation, humiliation, neglect, oppression, subjugation and injustice, then something is fundamentally wrong with us.
I am convinced in my spirit that Ugwulangwu can attract the same level of attention and respect Uburu, Okposi, Onicha, Oshiri and other communities command if we do the right thing. And now is the time. But that depends on the attitude of our people.
A community where inhabitants appear to be satisfied with whatever they are given or any how they are treated can hardly attract respect or attention from any politician. My worry is that the youth, whose future is being trampled upon, have not seen any justifiable reason to speak out. It is an act of cowardice for men to keep quiet in the face of tyranny. This is the right time to come together and fight for our right. 
Igwe Okoronkwo is an indigene of Ugwulangwu