Abia Lawmaker Decries Pressure On Legislators To Deviate From Constitutional Role
The lawmaker representing Ikwuano State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi, has decried the current trend whereby legislators are expected to provide infrastructure for their respective constituencies in addition to the constitutional duty of making laws for good governance.
Nwabuisi, a member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), expressed this view when he appeared as a guest of the Abia Media Forum (AMF), an influential platform of top journalists of Abia State origin.
The AMF periodically features leaders of thought at its virtual interview sessions, during which they are grilled to present a scorecard of their performance in public office, or their vision for the State, going forward.
The forum had at various times interacted with the Executive Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Enyinnya Abaribe, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Hon. Samuel Onuigbo, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, among others.
Indeed, not a few residents blame the lawmakers representing their constituencies for lack of infrastructure and social amenities in their areas.
But Hon Nwabuisi, during the interview session, regretted the trend, arguing that it is an expectation that constitutes a distraction for the lawmakers.
He said: “Quite unfortunately, our constituents now judge our performance by the quantum of projects we bring to our constituencies. To that extent, the legislator is under pressure to provide infrastructure for his constituency, failing which he or she will not be voted again,”
He continued: “It is unfortunate that this trend is continuing, which is a distraction from the constitutional responsibility of the legislator to make laws for good governance. I say it’s unfortunate because we don’t have any budget for constituency projects, unlike our seniors in the National Assembly. Unfortunately, that’s the trend now.”
According to Nwabuisi, the closest that legislators do get involved in projects is to the extent of oversight functions, which is to ensure implementation of budgets appropriated for specific projects.
Nonetheless, Hon. Nwabuisi has done his best to make life more meaningful for his constituents – the people of Ikwuano State Constituency.
As samplers, Nwabuisi is on record to have trained no fewer than 150 persons in Aqua Culture and Heli Culture; trained about 125 women in various vocational crafts; drilled water borehole at Nchara Oloko; reactivated the boreholes at Amaba-Oboro and Oboni-Upa-Usaka.
He also renovated a school block at Ariam Eluelu, Ehim-Ibere and Ikwueke-Oboro.
Nwabuisi is also credited with attracting a new school block in Isi-Ugwu Amizi Oloko.
On capacity development, Nwabuisi is known to have extended scholarships to Ikwuano indigenes in secondary school and university, as well as facilitating employments for some in ABSU and MOUAU. He is also known to have paid medical bills, rents and provided welfare packages for some of his constituents in times of need.
And during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nwabuisi stood by his people, supporting them with palliatives to cushion the impact of the lockdown.
Having faired this much, and hoping to do more for his people, Nwabuisi argued that it is only natural that he seeks a re-election at next year’s general election.
Indeed, Nwabuisi fielded questions on sundry issues including the just concluded governorship election in Osun State, insecurity, and more.
