By Bello Mathew O. (MATTO of Akoko)🖊️
Moderated by MOYEN
February 23rd, 2020.
A society whose agitation is “effective governance cum representation” must also take responsibility of proper and timely assessment cum evaluation of its representative(s)/Government’s performance for future decisions making.
Foremost, let me quickly clarify the doubt of the public/the readers that, somehow & somewhat, without expectation or planing, I have earned my access to Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo BTO. Others see it as a man given privilege and chance “but” I see it as a right, laced with honour though. This is to establish the fact that, this appraisal/article is not to gain any special recognition or favour from the MHR. God favour, man only manifest that. The decision of who we elect or appoint to our public sectors should be taken beyond the bar of political divide, loyalty to one, and partisanship. Appraisal of performance/antecedence is also requisite not denying recognition cum consideration to every other existing settings and traditions, I acknowledge.
It is not open to question that, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Chairman House Committee on NDDC has driven the political sector of Akoko North Federal constituency into profound restructuring.
In the past Two (2) years and months as a member of 9th assembly of House of Representatives, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has moved steadfastly to promote political restructuring and vigorously build democratic politics in the Federal Constituency (Akoko North) and beyond via Effective legislatures, Infrastructural development, inclusive government, and Security and safety to lives & properties.
It become difficult for anyone (including the blinds and deafs) to deny the fact aforesaid except that’s coming out of political divide.
How ever, we must acknowledge the fact that, Akoko North and Akoko land at large is a land blessed with intelligent and golden sons and daughters like Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo (BTO) that will perform excellently and laudably if given same chance. Although, the same chance and opportunity was given to his predecessors but we cannot utterly totally say that their given mandate was to no any legislature, dividends and accountability at all. To their best capacity and capability they’ve served but none of them can match BTO’ by any facts and factors. That’s by the way.
Let’s go back to the intention of this article which is “appraisal of BTO’ performance in the green chamber after Two (2) years and months”. I take the assessment firstly from the angle of:
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
From my own school of thought, I describe “Infrastructure” as the critical pillar among the pillars to economic structure. Infrastructure also impacts directly on human development, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, as such, the development of infrastructure should
be a fundamental concern of both governments and citizens/representatives and constituencies.
Public infrastructural development is fundamental and sacrosant in the delivery of key public services. This can be ranged from roads/transport to social infrastructures such as health care facilities, and Agriculture (farms) to power generation, and water.
What has BTO done to this facet of development?
The construction of not less than 500KM span, accumulatively, asphalt laid road within the federal constituency, facilitated in his capacity as the Chairman Committee, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The people of the Federal Constituency have came to the limelight of public, to share how that has drastically reduced the stress and cost of transportation within and around the Constituency, on them. That in not up to three years in the green chamber.
Drilling of boreholes (both hydraulic and solar powered) strategically situated within Akoko North. He has also facilitated transformers via lobbying.
Most captivating in the infrastructural development discussed above is that, most of the project are via lobbying and attraction. It takes someone’s humility and his love for his people couple with his hard earned influence/personality to lobby and attract development cum democracy’s dividends to his people. It’s a rare virtue of a leadership. It is describe “leadership from servantship”. Such leadership style is requisite and should be hold dearly and safeguard jealously against oddities in our societies/system and should not be traded cheaply.
Let’s assess and evaluate BTO’ performance in term of;
EFFECTIVENESS IN LEGISLATIONS
In this regard, there is a need to intimate ourselves with the constitutional House Committee(s) in the green chamber and their ranking. Among the constitutional House Committee(s) in the house, the highest ranked House Committee is “Committee on Appropriation” followed by “House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC”. The NDDC House committee is currently chairman by Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji Ojo.
It should be recalled that, BTO is a first timer in the 9th national assembly until 2023 and as such set the record straight as the first time Rep member to chairman the prime Committee (NDDC) since its manumission, without denying fact, it takes one “extra effectiveness” to earn such position among many more qualified members.
Mores so, NDDC is a commission that has nine (9) States under its governance. BTO is caught across these nine States with effectiveness and efficiency is delivery of his legislative duties.
Beyond BTO prime position in the green chamber, he has so far his sojourn in the house made presentation of legislative bills (repealing, enactment and re-enactment) that are masses centered and development driven.
BTO’ performance in;
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE (HEALTH FACILITIES & EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES)
The availability of proper healthcare and sound education for the citizens is necessity but not enough without affordability. Both the former and latter remain the responsibility of the Government/political representatives.
Without compromising the truth, BTO has exemplified the above in his Two years and months in the green chamber, without looking back.
What has he done?
The facilitation of Ten (10) Tricycle ambulances, Two (2) ambulance buses plus hospital equipments such as; refrigerators, generating set, and mattresses to improve healthcare in the Constituency.
Free medical and surgical outreach for the people of Akoko North.
BTO’ annual mathematics quiz competition,
BTO’ annual 1000 free jamb and coaching
Building of classroom blocks within the Constituency schools.
Equipping the school’s ICT(s) and libraries. All these are to improve education and make it affordable.
SECURITY AND SAFETY OF LIVES AND PROPERTIES
Insecurity cum insurgency is major among crisis facing our country (Nigeria) now. Meanwhile, security and safety of citizen’s lives and properties become a constitutional duty, for our government. How well BTO has performed&performing in this facet?
Recently, the good news of approval of the national assembly to a “bill” requesting for establishment of another Police Area Command Office in Akunu Akoko, Akoko North East was announced to the good people Akoko North. A bill sponsored by BTO in his concern and bid for the security of his people lives. It is a laudable and commendable legislation towards securing lives and property.
JOB OPPORTUNITY AND EMPOWERMENT
While some developments and investments are subjected to the “test of time”, facilitating and given gainful jobs and empowerment to citizens is a lifetime cum transgenerational development our government/representatives should adequately invest in. This also play a pivotal role in curbing criminal and unrully acts among the citizens. There is a common public fact that goes does “an idled mind/hand is evils workshop/tool”.
I chose to be blunt in this regard, by saying that, BTO’ priority to this agenda is very far below expectation. Public comments and complaints were also taken to this. How ever, it is not enough to discredit a credible representation because we must also acknowledge the fact that Jobs are become scarce in a system/country (Nigeria) where government agencies are the major employer but not in countries where industrialization is grounded. I encourage and look forward to BTO priotizing Facilitation and giving gainful jobs and empowerment (business capital) to a reasonable numbers among the graduates and qualified people within the constituency. On this, I like to intimate MHR with how some of our passionate young ones do apply for Nigeria Military and forces (Navy, Airforce and Army) but to no any assistance and failure. Hence, I recommend it to the MHR as well, as a well-known lobbyist of development to kindly look into lobbying slots for these the applicants from the Constituency when time for application. The Nigeria Navy Recruitment is currently ongoing and numbers of the young ones in the Constituency have applied, for your information distinguished MHR.
Lastly before driving into conclusion, let’s assess BTO’ performance in term or;
INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT/REPRESENTATION
Without manipulating one’s sincerity, BTO score excellent in term of inclusion of his people in his representation and government. This can be measured with the appointment of his about 200aides working with him who are on his monthly salary payroll. Also, he has nominated among the young ones around him for both state and national gainful appointment. Many among the elders, political holders not excluding the traditional rulers have gained their access to winning one or two viable contracts from BTO. All these together measure adequate inclusive government/representation.
Conclusively, BTO’ representation is democratically unprecedented. There are many different waves/forces from the public to BTO’ second term but may the will of God prevail over that. How ever, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo remain the Member of the 9th assembly of House of Representatives, representing Akoko North Federal constituency double as Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC until 2023 general election. Up till date, BTO has not officially declare his second term ambition but there is believe and over 90% assurance he will contest. I therefore look forward to a nonstop effective representation and development going on in the constituency, from the distinguished Honourable. I will do more good to this appraisal by keeping it on record, for review and due conclusion come 2023 as God willeth.
May Akoko North continue to be Great!