CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS TAILORED TO ADDRESS GRASSROOT NEEDS -SPEAKER 03-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has inaugurated the Surulere Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, facilitated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
A Statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker also inaugurated a 484-bed Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), equally facilitated by Gbajabiamila when he served as the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.
Speaking at the separate events during the inauguration, the Speaker faulted the criticisms against the Zonal Intervention Projects popularly called constituency projects, saying they are successfully addressing the needs of Nigerians, especially at the grassroots.
According to the speaker In implementing constituency projects, members of the National Assembly identify the needs of their constituents and nominate projects within a threshold in the annual budget of the Federal Government.
Dr. Abbas noted that legislative representation and constituency projects are two critical components of a functioning democracy, especially in a representative system of government like Nigeria’s presidential democracy.
“These specific initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents, he stated.
He explained that for many Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, it is through constituency projects that they see the most direct and tangible manifestation of the government and democracy.
The Speaker emphasized that the projects offer a unique opportunity for legislators to address the specific needs and challenges of their constituents.
He lauded Gbajabiamila’s efforts in securing funding and support for several projects, including schools, hospitals, and countless infrastructure developments in his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency and beyond when he served as a member of the House.