The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya on Sunday spoke on the challenges, gains and distractions in his first one year in office, describing his colleagues as wonderful people.
Igbuya described the first one year as tough.
โBefore
June 8, 2016, hopes were high. Some of us thought we were going to live
in the past. Past Speakers had enormous influence and resources to
assist the people. One year gone, the reverse is the case. We met
serious recession. Subvention was reduced. In three months,
things started getting worse. We started preaching the gospel of belt
tightening. My colleagues have seen reasons to adjust. The situation is
very bad, very difficult and tough. My colleagues are wonderful peopleโ.
Speaking with local and foreign journalists in Sapele, Igbuya said the House passed a good number of bills.
โWe
passed a good number of bills. Administratively, we achieved a major
feat. We were able to find solution to poor power supplyโ he said.
Demonstrating
maturity and total understanding of what politics should be all about,
Igbuya stressed on synergy between the three arms of government.
โCan
you achieve result without fund? No legislature can work without fund.
We donโt generate revenue. The executive does that. There must be
synergy between the three arms of government. People should be talking
about synergy, not independenceโ he said.
Empathizing with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Igbuya said the House would continue to make laws for the good governance of the state.
โI
feel for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. I wonder how he intends to achieve
some of his dreams. We are looking inward and bringing some laws that
can make Delta State generate enough revenue. Okowa means well for the
people. He wants to set a standard. Deltans should continue to pray for
this administrationโ
He commended the
leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for
positioning the party ahead of 2019 general election.
โThere is no faction in Delta State PDP. The reconciliation committee is doing very wellโ
โThe
resolutions of the South-South and South-East lawmakers are quite
clear. We asked our representatives in the National Assembly to oppose
itโ
Attributing the defective and harsh
socio-economic environment, lack of employment opportunities,
environmental degradation, lack of infrastructure, general
under-development and inadequate benefit of the resources from the
region to militancy in the Niger Delta, Igbuya advised President
Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with the people.
โMr.
President should dialogue with the people. What are the problems? He
should listen to the people. Power belongs to the peopleโ
the interest of peace, harmony and unity of Nigeria, Igbuya urged
Buhari to review the ownership structure of oil wells in the country.
โHow
many South- South people are owners of oil wells in the country? He
should allow 65 per cent ownership by the people of the Niger Delta
region.
โSapele
is developing. The dualization of Sapele Road from Amukpe roundabout is
ongoing.. Beautification exercise is ongoing. We are going to focus on
other roads in Sapele. We are trying to expose Sapele to the
international community. We are going to make Sapele a major centre for
foreign investors and touristsโ he said.
also described the death of Olorogun Felix Ovudoroye Ibru as a terrible
blow to the political class and Nigerians in general.
โOlorogun
Felix Ovudoroye Ibru was a man whose name spoke volume. He was imbued
with gratitude, generosity, virtue, vision, ideas, spirituality,
integrity and humility. He was, without doubt an architect first, before
any other thing. It was however on the political turf that he etched
his name on marble. Indeed, Senator Ibru left indelible prints on the
Nigerian political space. He contributed greatly to the growth of the
Nigerian State.
Together
with Chief Simeon Ebonka, they formed a strong partnership and set the
template for the development of Delta State. He also contributed a lot
to the uplifting of the Urhobo nation.
โIbru
death surely deprives the nation of one of its best minds. I however
take solace in the fact that the first democratically elected governor
of Delta State lived an inspired and fulfilled life by the manner he
deployed his professional expertise towards the development of Nigeria.
He will definitely be missed by friends, family, associates, colleagues
and all those whose lives he positively touched in one way or the other.
He will forever be remembered as one who came, and did his bit in a
very great and impressive way. He will also be remembered by Nigerians,
particularly Deltans as the man who reached the pinnacle of power but
refused to be intoxicated by it. I sincerely join the entire family of
Senator Ibru, his people at Agbarha-Otor and all patriots of Nigeria in
celebrating the life of a great Nigerian citizen. I also bid our great
leader and mentor a respectful farewell and a sweet repose.
โHis
death is a monumental national loss. It is very sad. It is very
painful. He was a great footballer and coach. He brought pride to Delta
State. He did the nation and the youth proud by standing out in the
crowd not only as a skillful player but a coach imbued with maturity. We
will definitely miss himโ
