The Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday, attended the Irindi (new yam) festival of Alayi Autonomous Community in Bende LGA, Abia State.
Igbere TV reports that the event which was held at Amankalu Village, was well attended by Traditional rulers, distinguished guests, men, women, youths and Children of the community.
Speaking during the event, Sen. Kalu assured that Alayi Bridge which is currently in deplorable condition will be captured in 2020 budget.”
“I have heard what you people said about the bridge and road, I will ensure that they are included in 2020 budget, by Dec 2020, the road will be completed”.
“Money will not be collected from anybody in order for the roads and bridge to be fixed”.
Kalu said he has ordered for the measurement of the Bridge so that everything will be included during the preparation of the budget which will start in October.
On free education, Sen. Kalu frowned at the rate which parents are forced to pay for the children’s school fees which ought to be free of charge.
He noted that when he was the governor of Abia State, education was free of charge both in primary and secondary schools.
Sen. Kalu, however donated a huge amount of money to parents who cannot afford to send their children to school and promise to do more.
Speaking during the event, the president general of Alayi Development Union, Mr. Elijah Kalu, thanked Senator Kalu for honouring their invitation despite the short notice. He further revealed the process that birthed the new yam festival.
According to him, it’s a long aged tradition passed down by their forefathers to their generation which according to him will also be a continuum.
He urged the people of Alayi to maintain peace and unity hence the celebration which is centered at thanking God for creating yam and giving them the opportunity to see the new yam.
Also speaking, HRH Kalu Agba, says reason why yam is being celebrated is because in Igbo land, yams are being known as the head of all seed. He noted that before the celebration, none of the Alayi will dare to eat the new yam not until after the festival.
“We have mechanism that we used to monitor our indigent to prevent them from breaking the rules. No one eats the new yam until it’s been officially celebrated”, he added.
The traditional ruler also reaveled that Alayi has 10 villages and all will celebrate the new yam festival irrespective of religion because it has nothing to do with voodoo.
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