The
member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa, Rt. Hon. Fred Agbedi on Saturday said
that the legislature lacks the powers to control funds appropriated for
constituency projects.
Agbedi
who spoke during an interactive session with community leaders at his Zonal
Intervention Project for the empowerment of 30 beneficiaries from his
constituency noted that the constituency projects were solely controlled by
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS).
According
to Hon. Agbedi,, the impression that
members of the National Assembly have access to constituency project fund was
erroneous adding that the executive arm of government has over 90 per cent
control of such projects sited in the constituencies.
He
said that the legislators had limited powers and control which did not include
the award of contracts and payment but could only monitor and supervise
projects within their constituencies by collaborating with the implementing
MDAs.
“As
the elected representative of the people of Sagbama/Ekeremor my job is to
ensure that whatever is for our people gets to them.
“I
will keep working hard to attract projects and I need to enlighten the
community leaders that we are not given constituency project funds.
“We
only have monitoring roles to ensure that when contracts are awarded by the
MDAs the projects are executed at the designated places within the
constituency.
“Today
we are here to witness the handing over of 30 motorcycles to the 26 wards
within Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency and I will keep fighting to get
more projects and empowerment schemes for our people.
“The
important thing is to keep up the efforts of touching as many lives as possible
and not necessarily to spotlight the people that have received help because it
may negatively affect their psychology and dignity.
“What
we are doing here for 30 people across 26 wards is not much but it is something
and efforts are ongoing for more.
“My
pledge to the people is that whatever is meant for them will be brought home to
them; that is the pact that I have come home to fulfill,” Agbedi said.
The
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the empowerment scheme which saw the distribution
of 30 motorcycles was in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals,
Nigeria office.
Responding
on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Court Ayagbo, who applauded the lawmaker
said that the poverty alleviation scheme by the SDGs was a welcome development.
He
said that he would deploy the motorcycle to commercial use for daily income to
his family.
Community
leaders, chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party from Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal
Constituency witnessed the ceremony.
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