By Matthew Onojighofia Omonade
Permit me to extend fraternal greetings to you, my leaders, party faithful, brothers and sisters from Ughelli North Constituency 1, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
As we enter into another election year, please be reminded that May 29, 2022, will make it twenty-three (23) years of uninterrupted democracy in our dear State and Constituency. Recall that in 1999, while canvassing for our votes, several electoral promises were made by various political gladiators. The promises were all in the direction of a better life: freedom from want, hunger and destitution. They promised to build roads, hospitals, schools and eradicate corruption. It was repeated consistently that our State, judging from the quantum of natural resources which the Almighty blessed us with, would become an ‘Eldorado’ (heaven on earth).
Let us not shy away from the fact that, even after twenty-three (23) years of plethora of promises, our State and Constituency are a mess, total mess! What we have is a traumatized and sick State. Let us not pretend about the fact that our roads are in a deplorable state, our hospitals are ill-equipped, there are no jobs for our people, and our lives and properties have become completely unsafe.
It has been twenty-three (23) years devoid of any scintilla of vision for a sustainable and bright future for our children. Twenty-three (23) years of maladministration, underdevelopment, insecurity, hopelessness and shameless embezzlement of public funds for the personal aggrandizement of a very few, insatiable and greedy individuals who have vowed to tie Delta State to their apron strings.
The paradox, however, is that there is no shortage of information on what is going on, who is doing what and what needs to be done. The problem has been the will and the consistency of will to get it done. We cannot continue to put square pegs in round holes and round pegs in square holes and expect a different result.
The essence of politics and governance is primarily for the mobilization of resources and altruistic distribution of the dividends of democracy for the good of all. It is for this reason that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made security and welfare of the people the primary and sacred purpose of government.
Indeed, there can be a government without a Legislature, but there can never be a democracy without a Legislature. In order to meet the socio-economic needs of the people and to ensure good governance, it is imperative to practice checks and balances amongst the various arms of government. An effective Legislature is essential to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, as well as economic and social development. The Legislature is the heart of governance and is entrusted with the task of ensuring that State Governments fulfil their functions in the best interest of their citizens, and in this case, Deltans. It is for this reason that the Constitution empowers the State House of Assembly to make laws that facilitate peace, order and good governance in Delta State.
At the risk of sounding immodest, it is undeniable, that the failure of the Executive arm of government over the years can, to a large extent, be attributed to the fact that the Legislative arm we have had over the years in Delta State have not been very effective.
I believe that Ughelli North Constituency 1 deserves a new Representative with fresh ideas, right intellectual sagacity, impeccable character and integrity to inject life and vigor into the Delta State House of Assembly.
Driven by my burning desire and unquenchable passion to serve the good people of Ughelli North Constituency 1 and on the strength of the preceding paragraphs, I most humbly wish to declare my intention to pick the gauntlet to contest for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the seat of the Delta State House of Assembly election to represent the good people of Ughelli North Constituency 1.
God willing, once elected, the areas where my energy shall be focused on will include, but not limited to, the following:
Repeal The Delta State Governor And Deputy Governor Pension Rights And Other Benefits Law
The current Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and other Benefits Law is outrageous and anachronistic in terms of the humongous and mindboggling pensions and other entitlements due former Governors and their Deputies.
While other States in Nigeria, like Zamfara State, have repealed their Pension Law for Ex-Governors and Deputy Governors on the ground that it is anti-people and amounts to unfair mismanagement of public funds, Delta State Government, under the 8th Assembly amended that of Delta State to include persons who were Governors in acting capacities.
We must accordingly put a stop to this mindless fleecing of State finances under the guise of pension to former governors. My first task in the House will be to work with my colleagues and the Executive, to initiate the process for repealing the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Law.
Fight Against The Unjust Exploitation Of Deltans, Particularly My Constituents By BEDC
I am not oblivious of how Deltans are being unjustly exploited by BEDC through outrageously estimated electricity bills. I am a victim of same. I am also aware of how BEDC has completely abdicated its responsibilities in the satisfaction of its customers in Delta State. For instance, it is the duty of BEDC to provide transformers, electricity meters and other related electricity materials. But what we have been experiencing over the years is that BEDC waits for well-meaning individuals or communities to buy these items, while it in turn continues to milk our people and keep on piling estimated bills on hapless Landlords running into hundreds of thousands and millions of naira.
In view of Bill No. 33 recently passed by the National Assembly, which now allows States to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national Grid and for related matters, we shall leverage on same to take such steps that will address the menace of BEDC.
Delta State Security Trust Fund
In view of the fact that no meaningful economic activity can thrive in the face of insecurity, and in order to improve on the security architecture in Delta State for the protection of the lives and properties of Deltans, together with my Colleagues, I intend to sponsor a bill for the establishment of the Delta State Security Trust Fund and for other connected purposes.
The objective of the Trust is basically to provide/raise funds for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment and such human, material and financial resources shall be found necessary for the effective functioning of all Federal, State, Local Government and other Security agencies operating in Delta State, and part of the funds shall be reserved for the training and retraining of security personnel.
A prototype of this Bill has helped improved security tremendously in Lagos State.
Internally Generated Revenue
Working with my Colleagues, I intend to review and push for amendment of the extant Delta State Consolidated Revenue Law and other tax Laws in Delta State to help tighten up loose ends, so as to prevent internally generated revenue (IGR) from going into private pockets and see how they can be improved upon to ensure improved tax generation and accountability. This will in turn help take care of our social amenities, schools, roads and empower our constituents.
For example, in 2015, when Governor El-Rufai became Governor of Kaduna State, the highest that had been achieved as IGR was 13 billion; however, through conscientious and collaborative efforts between the Executive and State House of Assembly, the Kaduna State IGR has increased to over 67 billion naira annually.
Youth Empowerment
I do not believe in the aphorism that: “the duty of a legislator is to make laws, nothing more, nothing less!” I shall embark on massive youth empowerment programs throughout the nooks and crannies of Ughelli North Constituency 1.
Educational Support Program
Education is fundamental to growth and development. It is the key to reducing poverty, fostering economic growth and social development. Like I have always done, I will provide necessary educational supports to indigent constituents.
Altruistic Distribution Of The Dividends Of Democracy
I strongly believe that the quest for peace, prosperity, security, human capital and infrastructural development and above all, good governance in our great State, requires that the Executive and Legislative arms of Government must, while maintaining their independence, synergize to bring about or engineer the policy making and implementation process that will engender good governance and guarantee the altruistic distribution of the dividends of democracy to all Deltans. To this end, I will use my position as Legislator to liaise and lobby Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State Government to attract infrastructural and human capital development to Ughelli North Constituency 1.
Oversight Function
Legislative oversight function is an important legislative duty in the promotion of public interest.
We will ensure that the Government accounts for its activities. Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government must also be accountable in their activities to the public. This I promise to do for our people!
Consultations
I shall constantly engage in consultations with my constituents and I will be open to suggestions and contributions from my constituents in areas that directly affect us as a people.
I will also ensure that all of or at least 90% of my Legislative Aides will not relocate to Asaba, but will reside in their individual Wards, so as to accord our Constituents the opportunity of assessing us anytime.
To further achieve my goals, I intend to open a Constituency Office in Agbarha-Otor Kingdom being the headquarters of our Constituency to be manned by my Legislative Aides and myself occasionally, which shall be open from Mondays to Saturdays, to receive complaints and recommendations from members of Ughelli North Constituency 1, which will be brought regularly to my attention for prompt and immediate action.
I shall honestly and humbly represent you with utmost sincerity of purpose. As your Legislator, I will not mortgage my conscience for filthy lucre and earthly possession. I will strive for that which is noble and of good report before God and in the court of history.
You will hear my voice boldly on the floor of the House. This I can assure you.
As I hit the campaign trails, I yearn for your continuous support, prayers and encouragements.
Accept the assurances of my absolute loyalty.
I am not too young to serve!
MATTHEW ONOJIGHOFIA OMONADE, ESQ.
