My Scorecard To Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency

BY RT. HON . AHMED TIJANI DAMISA 

To the glory of God, today Saturday, 4 March, 2017  is exactly a year after I was sworn in as Member, House of Representatives to represent the good people of Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency in Kogi State for the second term in the National Assembly.

The journey has been full of ups and downs, full of challenges, travails and triumphs in litigation cases that began from the Tribunal to the Appellate Court as well as the High Court. But looking back now, we thank God that we have more cause to rejoice than to regret.

In spite being a Legislator with no budgetary resources, it is important and incumbent on my people to scrutinize my performances against my promises. Few months after being sworn in, I launched three different schemes such as Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Scheme; Women and Youth Skill acquisition Scheme on domestic product; Vocational Training for Youth which had over 300 persons in our constituency trained and empowered.

As part of my electoral promises to ensure that Ajaokuta Steel Company is revitalized, I sponsored a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Institute of Steel Development to be situated in Okene. The proposed Institute will serve as a panacea for the revival of the company, which will in turn aid the diversification of our economy. And I am determined to do all the needful to ensure that the Bill scale through.

However, I’ve been able to use my office in establishing another phase of relationship with some ministries and agencies of government to bring benefits to my people. Sometime in November last year, I paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to appeal for the dualization of Lokoja – Okene road and his response was in affirmation.

I equally visited Mr. Ernest Mupwaya of AEDC to find a lasting solution to the epileptic power supply to Ebiraland which is already yielding result by the provision of prepaid meters to our people. By the time every house in Ebiraland has its own prepaid meter, there will be constant supply of power.

Within the year under review, I’ve given scholarship to over 100 students. However, I was able to influence the employment of over 10 qualified members of our constituency in various strategic places of work at senior cadre as list below:-

1. Central Bank of Nigeria

2. Petroleum Equalization Fund

3. National Biotechnology Development Agency

4. Bureau of Public Procurement

5. University of Nigeria Nsuka

6. Federal University of Abuja

7. Federal Medical Centre Lokoja

8. Kogi Internal Revenue Service

As for my legislative contribution, I was able to present five private Bills and two of the Bills have sailed through second reading. The Bills are as follows:-

1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Nigerian Entertainment Trust Fund to spark job creation and economic growth.

2. A Bill for an Act to establish a training organization in Okene to be known as the Nigerian Institute of Steel Development to provide prompt advisory service on materials, construction practices, interpretation of codes and creating an environment for better usage of steel by acquiring and disseminating knowledge about the best practices.

3. A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian College of Mining Technology to provide for instruction and research in such branches of mining and quarrying for the advancement of learning and dissemination of knowledge in such branches.

4. A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Character Commission Act to provide for the representation of each Senatorial District of the Federation in order to ensure total inclusiveness of job seekers in the federal civil service.

5. A Bill for an Act to constitute a National Agency for Minority Communities to serve as a recommendation making body for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the Federal Government or the State Governments.

In the days to come, we propose to establish Ebira–Textile & Garment Promotion Centre in Okene as well as to establish Technical Skills Acquisition Centre in Magongo. However, we propose to launch Widows’ Economic Empowerment Scheme and Petty Traders Empowerment Capital Scheme in our Constituency.

The good relationship we enjoy with the state governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is a plus to all we have achieved and set to achieve. On this note, we pledge our allegiance to him and urge him to remain resolute in ensuring that all his electoral promises are pursued with undiminished pertinacity.

My people, I thank you once again and promise to continue to strive hard to meet your yearnings and aspirations. By the grace of God, I will never fail. God bless!