Politics
Assembly Tasks Fayemi On Deplorable Road
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has called on Governor Kayode Fayemi to urgently provide palliative measures to the deplorable Isinbode-Ekiti and Omuo-Ekiti Road and the abandoned bridge linking Itapaji with Iyemero.
The Assembly made the call through its unanimous resolution yesterday at its plenary sitting presided by the Speaker, Mr Funminiyi Afuye in Ado-Ekiti.
Mr Oluwajuwa Adegbuyi, (Ekiti East Constituency 1) moved the notion with the title: “Urgent need to fix Omuo-Isinbode Road, in Ekiti East Local Government Area’.
He lamented the sufferings of the people of the area.
According to him, the people living in that area have resorted to the use of motorcycles, (popularly known as Okada) as a means of transportation from Omuo-Ekiti to Isinbode and vice-versa in the last three years.
Adegbuyi said, “I want to call the attentions of the House and the Ekiti Government to the plights and sufferings of my constituents, whose main access road has finally been cut-off by erosion.
”Our people, instead of plying this road to convey their agricultural products in less than five minutes will have to now go through a 360 degree circle to Omuo-Ekiti in hours to conduct their economic and social activities,” Adegbuyi said.
Other contributors to the motion which included the speaker, Mr Funminiy Afuye, Mrs Teju Okunyiga,(Gbonyin) and Mr Olajide Akanle,(Ekiti East 11) described the axis as a very important commercial part of the state.
They called for government’s urgent intervention, which might be palliative pending when it would award the contract for its construction.
Mr Olutoyin Lucas, who is representing Ado Constituency 1, speaking “Under Matters of Urgent Public Importance’’, called for strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations by motorists in Ekiti, and particularly, within Ado metropolis.
The House through its resolution also said, henceforth, road users should obey and observe traffic rules and regulations to guard against arrest and stringent punishment.
Also, another member, Mr Stephen Aribisoye(Ikole Constituency 11) relying on Order 8, Rules 45 of the House, called for the completion of the abandoned bridge linking Itapaji Ekiti with Iyemero-Ekiti.
He said, “At present, there are two cars inside the ditch, whose accidents were caused because the bridge was abandoned.
” Government and its agents should erect speed breakers at both sides of the bridge and ensure that the funds needed to complete the project should be included in the reviewed 2019 budget. “
NAN reports that other business of the day includes: the passage of the Ekiti House of Assembly Service Commission, (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Also, the House screened and confirmed Mrs Bunmi Agunbiade as a member of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission.
Also, the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Bill 2019 passed through the first reading.
NAN also reports that the speaker announced the constitution of 30 Standing Committees for the House.
The Assembly thereafter adjourned sitting until Wednesday, June 19.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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