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Yussuff Lasun, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has advised electorates to monitor the N100 billion worth of constituency projects earmarked for the 109 senatorial districts and 360 federal constituencies in order to know those who are working for them.
He said execution of constituency projects by legislators was not a bad idea but advised Nigerians to be worried about their abandonment or non-execution adding that constituents should endeavor to engage their representatives to establish the state of their constituency projects.
Yussuff, gave the charge while receiving the award of ‘Doyen of Constituency Projects’ from the House of Representatives Press Corps, which honoured him for the large number of projects he has executed since June 2015.
“What I always tell people is that constituency projects are not bad in itself, but our constituents have to monitor every project that is allocated to their constituency and engage their representatives to ensure that such projects are duly executed.
“I will therefore advise all Nigerians to monitor their lawmakers and the projects earmarked for their areas; and by so doing, they will be able to ascertain what their elected representatives have attracted and are bringing to them”, he stated.
The deputy speaker informed that the construction of the Ojutu Bridge along Erinle River on Osogbo – Ilobu – Ifon – Ogbomoso road in Osun state, which was abandoned for about 100 years, whose construction is being facilitated by him has reached 45 percent completion level.
Lasun who advised journalists to join active politics and contribute their own quota due their wealth of experience and exposure ion the society, expressed optimism that Media practitioners have vast knowledge of the societal problems as well as potentials to proffer solutions and help government resolve some of these knotty issues.
“Journalists should also join politics and play active roles. I believe with their knowledge on issues in the society, they will contribute positively,”
He expressed happiness at the award given him by the House Press Corps saying journalists covering activities of the House were in a prime position to know what every lawmaker was doing.
Yussuff also commended the ingenuity of the Corps and the time the planning committee committed to assessing each lawmaker including their constituency projects, explaining that the award would spur him to do more and “it will also make other lawmakers to improve their legislative activities”
“I’m proud to be honoured because the press is the bastion of democracy and is whatever you write on us that is believed by people. I am most happy that this ward is coming from the House Press Corps that reports our activities; it means you have been closely each and every one of us. With this award, I am wired to do more and I believe other lawmakers will also sit up”
“I’m happy that you have taken time to access us and see what we are doing here and at our constituencies. I will find an auspicious time to take journalists to my constituency on a tour of my constituency projects,” he promised.
Earlier, chairman of the House Press Corps, Mallam Muhammed Umar Puma said the choice of Hon. Lasun Yussuff as ‘doyen of constituency projects’ was arrived at after a careful assessment, which placed him ahead of all other lawmakers in the execution of projects in the 8thAssembly. He urged the deputy speaker not to rest on his oars but continue to work for the benefit of his people.
Puma also urged other lawmakers in the House to emulate the hard work of Hon. Yussuff, in fighting for the execution of sustainable projects in their constituencies to enable their constituents enjoy the benefits of democracy.
The chairman listed some of the verifiable projects executed by Hon. Lasun Yussuff in his Federal constituency (Irepodun/Orolu/Olorunda/Osogbo), to include: Distribution of N10,000 each to 600 aged women for petty trading in Ilobu in 2014, distribution of N10,000 each to local women traders and artisans across the federal constituency in 2014, building of ICT & Vocational Training Center in Ilobu, 2012; ICT and Vocational Training Building, Oke Ima, 2012 and distribution of 106 motorbikes in the constituency to boost transportation and securing jobs for young unemployed between 2011and 2014.
Others are: construction of solar fitted, motorized and pumping boreholes (24) in Erin Ile, Ilobu, Ifon, Oba and Osogbo 2011 and 2015, 24 borehole were drilled between 2011 and 2015 across the federal constituency. All the boreholes were repaired in 2016 following the destruction of some of them by windstorm and wall collapse and distribution of 100 grinding machines, sewing Machine and 86 Tricycles popularly known as Okada to His Constituents in 2014, among others.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
