By Haruna Salami
The functions of a legislator in a presidential system of government like the one practiced in Nigeria are three fold: legislation, representation and oversight duties.
The Senator representing Kogi East, Isah Jibrin (Echocho) understands this clearly and has demonstrated great commitment, achieving results in all the areas in addition to striking a delicate balance between core legislative duties and providing social services that touch the lives of many in Kogi East.
In legislative duties, which is his core mandate, Echocho has been a respected voice in the Senate through his contributions to debates, in addition to sponsoring some bills and motions that have direct positive impact on the lives of the constituents.
Some of the bills and motions he has sponsored include:
Bill Seeking to convert Kogi State College of Education Ankpa to Federal University of Education, Ankpa;
Bill for the conversion of Holey Memorial Hospital, Ochadamu in Ofu Local Government Area to Federal Eye Center, Ochadamu.
Bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Cashew Crop Processing Agency and the National Cashew Production and Research Institute, Idah.
“Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board (Amendment) Bill;
“Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (Establishment, ) Bill;
“Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, among others, among others”.
The motions are: “Motion for the immediate completion of Abadigba power project at Egume.
“Urgent need for the completion of the Junior Girls Model Secondary School, Odu-Okpiyegede in Dekina LGA.
“Motion calling on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management and other relevant organizations to provide aid for those affected by rainstorm in the Local Government.
Others are: “Motion for the Rehabilitation of Shintaku-Anyigba road.
“Motion for the Rehabilitation of Itobe-Ajaokuta road.
“Motion for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and other relevant organization to provide aid for the displaced persons in communities in Bassa LGA.
“Urgent need for the completion of the Junior Girls Model Secondary School, Odu-Okpiyegede in Dekina LGA.
“Urgent need for completion and Take-Off of the Federal Government Aquaculture Project at Idah.
“Need for Expeditious completion of Rail Line from Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Otukpo in Benue State.
“Urgent need for Rehabilitation of Communities affected by rainstorm in Olamaboro LGA.
“Urgent need for the Rehabilitation of Communities affected by communal Clashes in Omala LGA”, among others.
Senator Echocho symbolises effective representation by being always passionate about any issue that concerns Kogi East and stands for the unity and progress of the nine local governments that constitute the senatorial district.
In his intervention programme, Echcho understands the crucial role of electric power in transforming the rural areas through Provisions of 500KVA and 250KVA transformer to many towns and villages across the local governments. This has boosted economic activities at that level.
In education, which is the foundation of human development, the senator has intervened in various ways, including distribution of educational materials such 10,000 exercise books to pupils in public primary schools in all the nine LGAs.
There is no doubt that water is crucial to human existence. This explains the priority accorded the provision of Motorized Borehole at Emere, Emekutu, Mission street, Erane, Egbeneba, Angwa and Ojoku and many communities too numerous to mention here in the nine LGAs.
Kogi East is primarily agrarian in nature. To support the farmers embrace mechanized agriculture, Echocho made provisions of tractors and other farming implements priority agenda in many local governments such as Bassa, Ibaji, Olamaboro, Idah, etc.
Other key interventions include reactivation of Acharu Palm Oil mill at Egume with infrastructures, construction of skills acquisition centre at Anyigba, construction of two feeder Roads; construction of Modern health Care Centres at Okete, Ajiolo Ajikpome and renovation of Dekina General Hospital.
Another sector that received Echocho’s attention is security with the ongoing construction of Zonal Police station at Anyigba; donation of operational vehicle to vigilante group, Odu branch.
Supply of drugs and medical equipment to General Hospital at Dekina; construction of modern market at Ajiolo; construction of Town Hall at Ajiolo-Ojaji; youth and women training, empowerment and skill acquisition programme in cassava processing is yet another
In employment, Senator Echocho has assisted hundreds of Kogi East youths secure employment in over 20 federal government agencies, including the FIRS, NSCDC, FRSC, Fire Service, Nigerian Customs, NTA, and FAAN.
This has rekindled the faith of such people and their extended family members in the Nigeria state, giving families stability and injected hope into communities long denied federal inclusion.
Senator Isah Jibrin’s tenure as senator has witnessed stability unlike what happened to Kogi East in the past, especially in the 8th Senate (2011-2015) culminating in Senators Abdullahi Railway Attai Aidoko and Isaac Alfa, each spending just some few months. At a point, Aidoko had a shot at it twice within those four years, courtesy of litigations.
However, today even though there was litigation after the election, it was dispensed off in good time without constituting any serious hindrance to providing the dividends of democracy.
It is hoped that this unity and cooperation will continue in the over all interest of Kogi East.
Haruna Salami is a practicing journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria
