By John Ntekim
The aims of this ink flow are to:
- Congratulate the Member Representing Okobo State Constituency at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on the organisation of the much yearned for Okobo Constituency briefing and empowerment programme held on Wednesday, 26th April, 2017
- Offer an unbiased evaluation of the effectiveness and results of the said event, judging from opinions and reactions expressed by various sources and filed by this writer within the past four (4) days.
- Categorically assess in a mathematical model, the weaknesses and achievements recorded at the constituency briefing and empowerment programme, with consciousness of the people's expectations.
On Wednesday, 26th April, 2017, Okobo people thronged Government Primary School, Okopedi in response to an invitation sent across by the Member Representing Okobo State Constituency, Hon. Felicia Bassey for the first ever constituency briefing session which resulted from perturbation, orchestrated by some active citizens who are driven by the new level of consciousness of constituents which had visited the land.
This indeed was a mega step and a progressive pace set by the honourable member who has by heeding public yearning, expanded the shoes of representation of the Okobo people, especially as representatives who will emerge after her turn will have to stay above the lifted bar.
On this achievement, Hon. Bassey deserves to be applauded.
Congratulations Okobo State constituency!
Congratulations, Hon. Felicia Bassey!
However, following the desire of every concerned Okobo citizen (in government or governed), for sincere facilitation of the Okobo project, it is undoubtedly imperative that we evaluate each conscious step made as we approach an envisaged satisfactory phase of having ourselves counted as a battened part of Akwa Ibom State and indeed, Nigeria. Hence, discussing the weaknesses and strengths of the recently held constituency briefing and empowerment programme in Okobo cannot be eluded.
Ordinarily, common understanding of the words "constituency" and "briefing", as well as "empowerment" suggests what is expectated of a constituency representative on such occasion to a layman.
So, the 'layman's assessment approach' (whatever it means) is adopted in discourse of matters arising from the April 26th Okobo Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme.
First, it is noteworthy that the duties of parliament and parliamentarian(s) are mainly classified as representation, lawmaking and oversight functions.
It is therefore unblemished and faultless to measure the effectiveness of the Wednesday ceremony in this light, while presenting a thought on the 'empowerment' aspect of the same event.
Aside the areas stated above, it is also a common believe that at an event as sensitive as a constituency briefing, where a legislator goes home to render account of stewardship to constituents, discussing the future of such society by having constituents express themselves and furnishings their representative with facts about their challenges, fears and insecurities cannot be sidestepped by a representative who means well and sincerely envisages improvement.
Accordingly, the rating of Okobo Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme rests on the following baselines:
- Representation
- Lawmaking
- Oversight functions
- Empowerment
- Envisaged improvement
• REPRESENTATION
In this regard, it is shameful to state, although necessary to mention that the conscious Okobo population was disappointed once again.
Yes! Only a primitive thinker would argue that there could be a constituency briefing without a people's representative subjecting him/herself to public assessment.
Okobo people made a decision in 2015 and have since been waiting to see or hear the positive results of the decision they took, only for the 'messenger' to arrive home with incommensurable gifts, get a microphone and engage in praise singing for the State government, dance and return to the state capital without feeding the people with answers to questions that are begging to be answered.
Going through the printed address presented by Hon. Felicia Bassey on the said occasion, one would wonder if indeed Okobo people are being represented anywhere in government.
I wish to inform categorically, the Okobo masses didn't get briefed on how their image and challenges have been managed and presented before the People's Assembly.
This suggests therefore that it is either Hon. Bassey has been lagging behind in discussing her primary constituency before Akwa Ibom State or, she ignored this aspect of her responsibility (deliberately or otherwise) during the constituency briefing. Howbeit, the established case is that she is found wanting in this direction.
• LAWMAKING
Notably, the current state legislature has a handful of intelligent and eloquent members who have in about two legislative years made immense contributions to the development of the state and her government.
The homecoming of the member representing Okobo State Constituency has so far left constituents in a greater state of bewilderment than what it were before her vist.
They now have reasons to ponder on the contributions of their mouth piece in this direction.
Various questions are left unanswered in the minds of the populace.
-Do we participate in building Akwa Ibom?
-Does our representative concentrate on politics so much so tha her essential functions are forgone?
-How many bills, motions or issues of urgent public importance have been received by the Assembly,
courtesy of our seat occupant?
-How many of these bills, motions or issues of urgency (if any) have direct bearings with us as her people?
These and a few more questions remain pending as this aspect of Hon. Bassey's sojourn at Udo Udoma Avenue was completely ignored.
It is thought that the constituency briefing session would have offered the best opportunity for renewal of trust in our representative. But, did that happen?
•OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS
This aspect has its accompanying question tags contained in the last six (6) paragraphs above. As the saying goes, "you cannot put something on nothing." If representation and lawmaking were not treated, what then is left?
• EMPOWERMENT
Indeed, Hon. Bassey deserves to be applauded in this regard. At the event, shortlisted people from across the ten (10) political wards of Okobo State Constituency were assisted with motorbikes, clippers, customised exercise books, ten hairdressing kits, financial capital (ranging from N20,000 to N100,000), ten sewing machines, a computer set, amidst other items. Meanwhile, a cooperative scheme was instituted with each Ward given a mini bus.
The only popular condemnation this aspect has received is what public opinion refers to as the giving out of six saloon cars to six successful politicians, while widows and orphans received no attention (a case I would pretend not to understand because I don't feel concerned).
Although, such is not completely new in our political history as i recall that Okobo people had such an impressive experience when Chief Peter Linus gave out five cars to five persons in 2008, while he was still a serving Member of the House of Representatives.
Notably, Chief Umoh also facilitated the training of some Okobo indigenes in special computer courses, as well as other areas of skill acquisition, aside sponsoring a scholarship programme for some cadets of Okobo origin at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
It is also recollected that during his tenure as Member Representing Okobo State Constituency, Engr. Asukwo Odiong held a briefing session for the Okobo chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), where he donated a car to the then Chapter Chairman of the party, with motorcycles to other executive members.
I discussing empowerment of constituents, Hon. Felicia Bassey has performed.
• ENVISAGED IMPROVEMENT
There are issues which currently constitute challenges to the people of Okobo, including the land dispute between Okobo and Uruan local government areas over Esuk Inwang, the dilapidated state of educational infrastructures and other public facilities across the area, the dangerous gully erosion at Ekeya which serves as a death trap and continues to claim lives, the moribund state of government owned health care facilities, as well as the fates of Utine-Nduong and Ataobong roads which His Excellency Udom Emmanuel promised intervention as a governorship aspirant, to mention a few.
Shockingly, during the constituency briefing, there was no interaction between Okobo constituents and their representative which would have addressed some of these biting issues and further prepared Hon. Bassey as the people's messenger to engage the government and thereby, attract attention to pressing issues at home.
But this never happened. Instead, what was supposed to be a people oriented event was turned into an Akwa Ibom PDP festival, where the honourable member engaged in announcing the strength of the governor and his readiness to return to the hilltop mansion, come 2019.
More so, rather than discussing the future of the people she represents, our MP was promising Essu Nlap Oro (a socio-cultural youth organisation in Oro nation) 1,000 wrappers when governor flags off his reelection bid.
Is this what was bargained for?
Even as a politician, there are times when one must shun unnecessary politicisation and reflect on the well-being of his/her people, after all, politics itself is about the people.
The attitude of those I refer to as the 'political hallelujah singers of Okobo extraction', who continue struggling to hide raw facts about Okobo from the face of the state's leadership, constitutes serious setbacks for us and undermines our true image as a decisive people.
While others crave for opportunities to inform the governor of the problems of their people whenever he makes a visit, Okobo is pitifully suffering and smiling as the state governor could be forced to believe all is well and therefore relent in his efforts as giving us due democratic dividend.
No! We got it wrong! We are not certain if such top faces of the Akwa Ibom State government will appear again in Okobo up until 2019 gubernatorial tussle begins.
So, we should have exploited the governor's presence to our benefit, rather than playing 'surrenderers' to boost ego.
How did we get here?
NOW, LET'S GO A BIT MATHEMATICAL
As I round off this piece, having evaluated the impacts and weaknesses of the April 26th Okobo Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme, for future guidance, here is an impartial calculation of marks scored by Hon. Bassey at the event, with consideration of expectations and actual performance.
N/B: Given 100% as the total marks to be awarded, all aspects discussed above carry equal marks.
i.e Representation (20marks), Lawmaking (20marks), Oversight functions (20marks), Empowerment(20marks) and Envisaged improvement (20marks).
Going by public reaction and individual assessment, our dear honourable member scored:
- Representation = 7%
- Lawmaking = 1%
- Oversight Functions = 0%
- Empowerment of constituents = 18.5%
- Envisaged improvement = 0%
TOTAL: 26.5% of 100%
REMARK: Course failed. Please, more effort is required. Okobo MUST sit up.
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John Ntekim hails from Odu Clan, Okobo L.G.A
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