Those criticising the implementation of constituency projects by federal lawmakers are labouring in vain, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas gave the indication yesterday.
According to him, such projects will continue to feature in the legislature’s plans, especially at the grassroots.
He spoke yesterday in Lagos while inaugurating projects attracted by former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
The projects are the multi-storey 484-bed Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence for postgraduate students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka; the Surulere Campus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); Bode Thomas Police Station in Surulere; rehabilitated Randle Avenue road in Surulere and the Femi Gbajabiamila Mini-Stadium, also in Surulere.
These brought the number of projects already inaugurated since Tuesday to nine.
The others are a state-of-the-art conference centre at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; an ultramodern, multi-floor 80-bed general hospital; the dualised Babs Animashaun Road and Census Bridge; and the Sam Shonibare Community Development Centre, all in Surulere.
Gbajabiamila, who is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief of Staff (CoS) represented Surulere I Constituency in Lagos State.
He assured that the government would deliver on world-class education and quality healthcare.
He said the attainment of both objectives is part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which would save the country and make it “unbeatable in every sphere”.
Gbajabiamila unveiled the projects alongside Abbas; the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu; and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, among others.
The Speaker noted that in implementing constituency projects, members of the National Assembly identify the needs of their constituents and nominate projects within a threshold in the federal budget which the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) execute as part of their capital projects.
Abbas said legislative representation and constituency projects are two critical components of a democracy, especially in a representative system.
He said such initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents.
Abbas stressed 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.
“However, there has been a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the purpose and essence of these legislative interventions.
“Constituency projects are not mere items in a budget. They are the lifelines that connect the heart of our government to the heartbeat of communities”, he said.
The Speaker explained that constituency projects offer a unique opportunity for legislators to address the specific needs and challenges of their constituents.
“By tailoring projects to local contexts, we ensure that development is not just a concept discussed in the halls of the legislature but a reality experienced in the streets, villages, and towns across Nigeria.
“Furthermore, constituency projects best reflect participatory governance, given that local communities are involved in the decision-making process.
“This approach does not just build infrastructure; it builds trust, confidence, and a sense of ownership among the people”, Abbas said.
The Speaker said he was encouraged by the many success stories from constituency projects in the last two decades.
He added: “These success stories are not just achievements; they inspire millions of Nigerians at the grassroots level and show that the government cares about them.
“With greater transparency and accountability, constituency projects can be the most viable tools for developing forgotten sections of Nigeria.
“I intend to re-introduce a reviewed version of the Constituency Development Fund Bill to provide a legal framework for the management, disbursement, utilisation, and accountability of funds designated for constituency projects.
“I urge all legislators and members of the House of Representatives to emulate Gbajabiamila and renew their commitment to constituency projects”.
At the NOUN, Gbajabiamila stressed the value of education and healthcare.
He said: “Education and healthcare are the two things that can save a nation. If we can ensure access to quality healthcare for our people and ensure that everybody who desires a good education gets it, this nation will be unbeatable in every sphere.
“These two objectives, ensuring access to world-class education and quality healthcare for all our nation’s people are at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“And I want to reassure all of you here today that we will meet these objectives and exceed them in this administration.
“This campus of Open University will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fields accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“This building contains lecture rooms, laboratories, moot court, seminar rooms, offices, and many other facilities.
“I have facilitated the construction of over 250 roads, renovated schools, built hospitals, facilitated mini-stadia for community sports, provided free wi-fi in all public tertiary institutions in Lagos State, empowered thousands of youth and community members”.
