By Ehichioya Steve Odion
Following the ugly trend going on about the Ossiomo power plant, it has become imperative to find out whether the elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly are carrying out their constitutional oversight functions as representatives of the people.
It is very disheartening to see set of people who enjoy all privileges in terms of remuneration and other allowances and yet completely abandon their duties for personal benefits. With this present Ossiomo debacle it simply shows they have failed in their duties. At least by now Edo people they claim to represent expected them to quickly come out to address this very important issue bothering on improving the economy of the state and people's well being.
If I may ask are the members claiming ignorance of the establishment of Ossiomo power plant in the state or that the executive did not brief them of the role the state government played in attracting such project to the state? How can we have people sent to represent the different constituencies be indifferent to challenge as they went there on their own.
Edo people cannot forget in hurry the ignoble role they played in the illegal removal of the 2023 elected local government council Chairmen. Where a letter of suspension of the elected local government chairmen was sent to the Edo State House of Assembly by Governor Monday Okpebholo and the same house deliberated on the matter same day and equally approved the suspension of the local government chairmen as recommended by the Edo State government.
Ordinarily, should that be the procedure where we have rules that guide a proper state legislative house that is expected to perform its duties decently and responsibly. But today what do we see, they carry out their functions as if they are not representing anyone in the house.
If I may also ask, is it every thing brought to the house by the governor you must approve with speed as if the members are in the apron string of the executive? Another good example of their recklessness was the day the former deputy governor Philip shaibu was impeached, that was the same day Marvelous Omobayo was equally sworn in. This means members take directives from the executive without scrutiny.
If the Edo State House of Assembly do not know the roles they are expected to play or they do not understand what is clearly stated in their duties, there is need then to go for regular seminars where they can be grounded on their duties as legislators and represent the people in the manner deem fit.
Even the lame man in the street knows that their main duties is oversight on all government activities. Yet they pretend about it and completely close their eyes to it and look away. Do you then call this a representative or self serving?
I think time is running out for the people of Edo State to rise up and ask questions to know whose interest they are representing. It is becoming clear by the day that they have completely abandoned the people and have failed in their duties as true representatives of the people.
The biggest problem I'm seeing in these present house members is that they appear ignorant about the enormous power given to them by the Nigerian Constitution. In Nigeria's governance structure, we have the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary with different functions given to each of them. Therefore, everyone begins to wonder why a part of an arm of government will willingly succumb and collapse it structures or activities into another. This is shameful in the eyes of the law and Nigerians as a people.
I think with this Ossiomo Plant issue it is an opportunity to call them out for explanation, because we cannot continue to pretend as if all is well. So many things are deteriorating in the state due to the nonchalant attitude of these House members not showing enough concern in matters effecting the people and failing in their oversight functions. I think enough is enough.
The only areas you see them show more interest and become active is political gatherings and other social events where they try to show off with their so called supporters who are ignorant of what is really expected of them. Meanwhile, their duties is oversight where they are expected to protect the Interest of the people. How long can we allow this unacceptable attitude in them to slow down the progress of development of the state due to their non performance and selfish interest?
Even in recent times have you heard anything concerning the acting local government chairmen who are supposed to be supervised by the house of Assembly? Edo people have been eager to know how much each local government is getting as federal allocation. Is it not the duty of the house members to brief the people about the happenings at that tier of government?
Nothing is being heard again because the executive hasn't asked them to do anything.
The only popular activity in the house is regular competition in defection by members to the ruling party where they hope to protect their interests more. It is on record that a formidable house of Assembly is the one with a formidable opposition that brings checks and balances. But today what do we see, they forget completely the party that suffered to bring them to the house and begin to pursue their interest at the detriment of the people that voted them in. In another election this same persons without shame will go back to the people to vote for them for another tenure. What do they actually take the people for?
It is therefore expected that people in our various State Constituencies call their representatives to order with a charge to do what is right for the people instead of the current obvious subservience to the whims and caprices of the executive and stop being a rubber stamp as well. There are so many things they are elected to do for the people, not sinking of borehole and sharing of rice during festive periods.
Post a Comment