By Emeka Ahaneku.
Come 6 June 2014, the Imo State House of Assembly led by Rt.Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu would have exhausted three out of its four year tenure. In the past three years, Imolites has witnessed what one could call; ?three years of strong and proactive representation??, during which important bills and motions totaling above 200 were passed. Within this period, there is no doubt that each and every lawmaker had an intense question and answer session by themselves and of course, with their constituents.
?From this intra and inter personal interactions, one can safely conclude that a lot has been achieved by our representatives. Therefore, as they begin the last lap of their tenure in earnest for the last session, they are expected to focus more on issues and areas that are of utmost concern to their constituents. Also, issues that concern the generality of the State and most importantly, the Rescue Mission Government for the good governance of the State.
?Given that we are in a democracy where freedom of expression is a matter of right we are sure to have various commentators each carrying out his own assessment the way he or she deem fit. From whichever angle they come, what is expected of a good house or executive as the case maybe is to pick up the valuable pieces of advice and integrate them into future blueprints.
The Imo state House has had its own fair share of this public firework. Interestingly, much of what it has received has been on the positive side. And this many argue is strong proof that in spite of all odds the Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu lead House was able to surmount them to post an impressive end of 3 years result which, undoubtedly, raised its rating in the eye of the masses.
Most of us agree that environment naturally affects performance. The belief is that a conducive environment produces superlative performance even as an unfavorable ambience produces deleterious outcome. The current IMHA has proven wrong this widely held position how? Somebody may ask. On assumption of office it was glaringly clear to the lawmakers and even those that attended their swearing in, that they had no environment to work in. The whole place stinks and overflowed with dirt that even a member Hon Luke chukwu had to raise alarm. But rather than succumb to the pathetic situation it found itself the house decided to forgo members pleasure?s and comfort and ploughed its initial take off fund in to creating that ambience needed for quality and result oriented representation. The result of that initial decision was instantly visible and somehow, restored the faded glory of the sprawling edifice built by Dee Sam Mbakwe.
?In this regard,???particular mention must be made on the total overhaul, renovation and reroofing of the gigantic structure that housed the legislative arm by this administration. Except those who have not had cause to come to the legislative arm of government to witness the mess it turned into. Yet this notwithstanding, nobody in the past ever thought it wise to give it a new lease of life.
?But, the current house leadership realizing the image boasting status of the structure gave it a deserved face lift.
??In like manner an idea for a??VIP lounge was carved out .The idea here was to provide a state of the art lounge for important visitors as well as venue for the house executive sessions. Obviously Hon uwajumogu came up with this wise decision in a bid to demystify the office of the speaker which hither to was held in awe by everybody including law makers. Before this dispensation the office of speaker usually played host to executive session and reception of important personalities. This situation meant that the speaker must be present and also preside over such meetings. If he fails to turn up for such meetings, automatically such meetings do not hold. This made the speaker to be the be-all and end ?all.
??But, Hon uwajumogu would have none of that. The space has to be opened and the only way was to demystify that office. Of Cause that strategy has worked wonders having imbued a strong spirit of comradeship in the lawmakers. As it stands today, any principal officer can preside executive session or receive VIP?S in the absence of the speaker. This to me is what is meant by the expression, government is a continuum.
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During the period in focus the IMHA equally excelled in oversight duties. In tandem with the Rescue Mission road revolution scheme the house empanelled the Hon Stan Dara led state / local government project monitoring team and empowered it to visit all the 27 councils of the state. Fully aware of the place of rural development in the developmental blue print of the government the committee swiftly swung into action and toured the nooks and crannies of the state. A daunting tasks no doubt but the team nonetheless, executed it with precision.
?????As at this moment the good work done by the house committee could be seen in the massive road revolution in the state. There is hardly any council of the state that has not taken delivery of at least 15 kilometers of asphalted road. Some like Ngor_okpala and owerri North are believed to have overshot their own share of the road project. Statistic on the whole show that with in the two years this government has been in power over 400hundred kilometers of road has been asphalted.??This impressive performance notwithstanding, the government has consistently declared that its target is 1000 kilometers of road in four years. To cynics this may sound incredulous but those who have been opportuned to listen at close quarters to Gov okorocha insist rather strongly that the target has being surpassed.
Ask the opposition about the IMHA and especially about its leadership and they come out smoking. They would tell you the legislature is docile and pliable. On further probe, you will discover rather bemusedly that their major grouse against the legislature is that is does not engage the executive in brawls. Again some argue that because members do not dance naked in public nothing what while is taking place in the chambers.
Luckily, for the IMHA majority of the Imolites know that a great deal of work propelled by patriotic zeal to contribute their quarter to turning around the fortunes of the state is taking place. Of cause the existence of mutual trust and confidence between it and the executive ensures the quick assent of its bills. Because the government of the day is proactive over 99.9% of this bills signed into law have been receiving accelerated implementation. Notable here are the Four-Year Rolling???Budget, lmo Free Education Law, and Community Government Louncil CGC Law and over 200 life changing bills and motions. No doubt, more of this people centered bills are sure to be passed, signed and expeditiously rolled out for the sustenance and consolidation of what has been archived this past three years.
?Within the chambers itself it has been one glorious tale of unity of purpose.???Without doubt the house speaker Hon uwajumogu had been instrumental in the enthronement of this atmosphere which has pervaded the chamber for three years now. Like I pointed out earlier, the deliberate decision to open up the leadership space in the main entrenched this culture.
?Besides, the non ?partisan policy adopted by the law makers has made the house the envy of other legislative chambers across the nation. Personally, this particular feat taking cognizance of the tumultuous electoral process that brought them into power should be applauded.
?At inception both the ruling party and the major opposition had almost equal presence given rise to wide spread fears that crisis would become the order of the day. Well, nobody can blame those that nursed this fear if objective assessment is made of our legislators? antecedents nationally and in the state since 1999.Acrose the country no week or month passes without one crisis or even, open war raging in one chamber or the other. To make matters worse, most of these warring legislators usually belong to one party.
????IMHA dared to be different and to the consternation of many they have so far waded through the thick and thin of lawmaking in peace.??Just as he has instilled serious feeling of oneness among lawmakers, Hon uwajumogu has bravely stood his ground against attempts of using the house to destabilize the state. As he has always argued every election year presents us with the opportunity to settle political scores. Those the people do not want are voted out and those they want voted into power. Immediately this process is concluded every other effort should be channeled into giving good governance to the electorate.
????Certainly this mindset is a positive one indeed. Giving the chance the average Imo politician in his utter selfishness is ready to do political battle all year round and for four years. Of course this culture if allowed to fester would portend grave danger to our democracy. In particular the electorate would be denied democracy dividends. And everyone knows the danger inherent in this kind of clearly undemocratic scenario. That is why the speaker and his colleagues have elected to face serious business of governance so that Imo could be taking to the next level. From which ever perspective one may view these decision it stand within reason that it is all for the good of the state and in fact, it?s long suffering citizens.
Overall the IMHA has acquitted itself very well since its inauguration. No doubt, they have collectively and individually experienced challenges, the good news is that they have contributed in moving Imo forward. in the remaining legislative session there is no doubt that I.molites would want to see them deliver more dividends of democracy in partnership with the executive.
