The senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, has assured his constituents of sustained and effective representation, promising to deepen legislative accountability, attract development and ensure that the voices and aspirations of the people remain central to his mandate.
Ikpea gave the assurance on Wednesday at the Edo Central Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting held at the Uromi Town Hall, Uromi, with the theme, “Deepening Legislative Accountability, Development Dialogue and Inclusive Participation.”
The meeting brought together political leaders, traditional rulers , community representatives, youths, women and other other stakeholders to deliberate on the duties and functions of a lawmaker.
The senator said the town hall meeting was designed to provide a direct platform for engagement between the people and their representative.
He stressed that legislative representation must go beyond sitting in the chambers of the National Assembly to include regular consultation, accountability and tangible interventions capable of improving the lives of constituents.
According to him, “Stakeholders’ meetings are very critical for us as legislators; otherwise, the people will not be aware of what we are doing and how the three arms of government operate.
“Senators are not tied to road construction, as we are lawmakers, and money for constituency projects does not come to us as senators.
“It goes to the relevant MDA, and the MDA will spread the money to the local governments according to how you want it. I will continue to engage with the people with a view to knowing their priority projects so I can lobby for them.
“It is only in this kind of meeting that you can ask the people to give you their needs analysis. I have asked them to go to their various local government areas and bring their needs analysis so I can put them into my template, and from that template, I will execute my projects,” he assured.
Ikpea further assured the people of Edo Central that he would continue to deploy his position in the Senate towards attracting meaningful projects, supporting human capital development and pursuing policies capable of improving their socio-economic well-being.
The Chairman of the occasion and APC leader in Edo Central Senatorial District, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.), commended the initiative, describing the meeting as essential to strengthening democratic
governance.Giving a summary of the various lectures, Esekhaigbe said: “We have been made to know, by the various speakers, the differences between legislative duties, executive duties and the judiciary.
“We came to know that Senator Ikpea came in at a time when constituency funds had already been allocated to the MDAs.”
The meeting was hosted by the Deputy APC Senatorial Chairman for Edo Central, Chief Abuya Iduozee.
Speakers at the event included a former member of the House of Representatives for Esan Central, Esan West and Igueben Federal Constituency, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, who spoke on “The Constitutional Duties of a Legislator.”
Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives for Esan North-East and Esan South-East Federal Constituency, Mr. Friday Itulah, examined “Budgeting and Implementation versus Constituency Projects.”
Itulah urged stakeholders and constituents to understand the legislative process and distinguish between the responsibilities of lawmakers and those of the executive arm of government.
Dr. Pascal Ebhohimien spoke on “The Political Future of Edo Central,” while the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) addressed participants on the devastating effects of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Also, speaking , an APC chieftain in the senatorial district, Elder Sam Eboigbe, expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the senator despite his short stay in office.
He maintained that the large crowd and the calibre of dignitaries who attended the meeting reflected what Ikpea stood for.
“We are happy with what he is doing for the people. In fact, he has tried. His eight months at the Red Chamber are enough to perform a miracle or magic,” he said.
He, however, appealed to the lawmaker to continue to attract more people-centred projects to the senatorial district so that constituents could benefit more from his representation.
Other stakeholders at the event stressed the need for greater investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, employment creation, infrastructure and security across Edo Central.
They expressed optimism that sustained dialogue between the senator and his constituents would strengthen accountability.
As part of his engagement with the constituents, Senator Ikpea gave out N2 million each to the five local government areas in the senatorial district.
He also asked all market women in the area to meet with him with a view to empowering them.
