Aguma : Quality Representation In NASS

It is often said that the best way to know a man is when he is given a position of trust. Many people have barely managed to pass this acid. In the case of Hon Igochukwu Nnamdirim Aguma, the member representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives, he has not only proved that he is a man for all seasons, he has demonstrated beyond any doubt that one can both be a servant and a gentleman.

Since Hon Aguma first became Commissioner for Sports in 1999 during the tenure of Dr Peter Odili, he has consistently proved that he is a grassroots man, who will always remember his people, while working assiduously towards contributing his quota to the good of humanity.

In all the assignments he has been given, Hon Aguma has worked with an uncommon determination, passion and the will to surmount all obstacles that may impede his vision and delivery of service to his people.

The first of such service was when Dolphins Football Club became the first Rivers based team to win the FA Cup in 2001 in far away Lagos. Not many had given Dolphins a chance but the team proved book makers wrong by bringing the trophy home.

Immediately after that, Port Harcourt became a constant reference point as far as sports was concerned in Nigeria as the Garden City hosted several local and international competitions.

In 2003, when he won the election to represent Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1 in the House of Reps, he simply transferred his charisma to the National Assembly where he immediately asserted himself as a lawmaker that has come to make a difference and make Nigeria better.

He joined forces with other progressives to chart a course of development for the nation .Quite naturally; Hon Aguma never lost the sight of where he came from as he daily sought the cooperation of his colleagues in order to draw attention to the plight of Niger Delta and Rivers in particular.

It is not surprising that he has participated in several debates on bills and motions. He has been a member and chairman of House committees, where his experience and unquestionable patriotism have helped shaped various motions and bills.

Presently, he is the chairman of House Committee on Gas Resources, in addition to being a member of House Committees on Youth and Social Development, Sports, Poverty Alleviation and, Housing and Habitat.

The House Committee’s jurisdiction on Gas Resources covers gas and allied matters generally, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, natural gas and its derivatives and annual budget estimates.

As the House Committee Chairman on Gas Resources, Hon Aguma also co-superintended over Joint Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committees on Gas Resources and Justice in the bid by the House to amend the Associated Gas Re-injection Act No. 99 of 1979 Cap 25 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The Federal Government had proposed 2011 as the new terminal date for oil exploration and production companies operating in the country to stop gas flares but the proposal was met with stiff opposition by all the multinational oil firms, who ironically operate in the oil fields in partnership with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The disagreement came on the heels of revelations that as much as 2 bn cf of gas is flared across the Nigeria’s vast oil fields and that the country loses an estimated $ 4 mm daily as a result of this continued waste of what would have been a major source of revenue.

In explaining, then Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Odein Ajumogobia, had disclosed that going by the plans of the Federal Government, 2010 should be the beginning of the drastic reduction of gas flares and that oil companies should begin to cut down considerably on the quantum of gas flared, while allowing a transitory period of another one year for the country to achieve zero flares in its oil fields.

Ajumogobia said that since the earlier deadline of 2008 could not be met due to excuses on the part of the oil firms, the Federal Government was putting in place the enabling environment for the nation to get it right this time.

Six oil firms namely Shell, Chevron, Agip, ExxonMobil, Total and Addax were present at the public hearing and in separate presentations they reeled out projects, programmes and proposals from their respective firms geared towards ending gas flares in their operations. They were however unanimous in their opposition to the 2010-2011 transitory period proposed by the Federal Government and preferred 2013.

They also gave the common excuse that funding was the major challenge faced by the oil firms in executing projects that will encourage gas utilisation and extinguish the gas flaring.

However, in his usual patriotic manner and deep concern for the Niger Delta that has been reeling under the effect of gas flares, Hon Aguma, expressed dismay with the position of the oil firms and accused them of ganging up to hold the country to ransom. He argued that all the firms should be prepared to henceforth work under a strict regulatory framework where laws are enforced and legislative oversight functions strengthened to produce positive results.

Another major highlight of his stewardship at the House of Representatives was when he was made the Chairman of the House Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of the Operations of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Hon Aguma discharged the assignment without fear or favour, for which he has been severally commended both at home and abroad.

He is also the co-sponsor of the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill. He however does not share the popular view that the bill was borne out of ulterior and selfish motives, arguing that the bill has precedence in the prac¬tice during the Second Republic where members of parliament were also members of the National Executive Committees (NEC) of their respective political parties.

While debunking speculations that President Goodluck Jonathan was behind the Bill, he pointed out that the arrangement of that era enabled federal lawmakers to articulate and profess their party policies and manifestoes in a near fanatical manner because they were involved at the formula¬tion stage.

He also said that there were no relationships between the 2010 Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the purported quest for “Right of First Refusal” by federal legislators, arguing that it was the height of mischief for some people to paint a noble legislation in a bad light just because the bill may reduce the grip of governors on the political parties. He said that contrary to speculations, the bill was not meant to give federal legislators undue advantage in seeking re-election to the National Assembly.

According to him, the attack on the bill was uncalled for because some of the political parties in the country including the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), already have such provisions in their party constitution.

It is not all about legislative duties. Hon Aguma has also brought democratic dividends to the people of his Constituency. For example, through his efforts, more than twenty one (21) roads have been constructed in various parts. He has also empowered widows and youths to help them eke out a means of livelihood.

It is imperative to note that through his intervention, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has started doing community projects in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

As a man committed to responsible representation he has also ensured provision of classroom blocks, library, scholarship, among others to the people of his constituency, in addition to assisting non-indigenes that also voted for him during the general elections.

Without doubt, Hon Igochukwu Aguma has justified the confidence reposed in him by the delegates and people of his Constituency and it is only natural that he is given another opportunity to partner with other progressive elements in the National Assembly steer the ship of Nigeria to greater heights beyond 2011.

Ige, is a Port Harcourt- based journalist.

Olalekan Ige