Hon. Gyendeng Peter Ibrahim is the member representing Riyom / Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives. He speaks to our National Assembly correspondent, Jidauna Yanung on his plans for the constituency, state of the nation as well as removal of subsidy on petrol by the Federal Government. Excerpt.
YOU SPENT EIGHT (8) YEARS IN THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND NOW ONE AND HALF (1 ½) MONTHS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE JOURNEY SO FAR?
Well, I will say so far, so good. One hundred days now, the journey has been good, though there are some hitches here and there. What I mean is that we started the journey well, although there have been some challenges here and there. But so far, it is good. We have just settled down for business now, a series of legislative business now.
As you can see, it took time before offices were allocated to us. We just got our offices and no committees have been set up by the leadership of the House. Thank God in Plateau State, we have got about four committee chairmen, two deputy chairmen. Though I was not one of them. But we sat and agreed that some of us should go to other committees as members of these committees. So for me, by the grace of God, I will be a member of the Committee on Appropriation and other sub-committees.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE AREAS YOU INTEND TO UPLIFT YOUR CONSTITUENCY?
The most important one is first and foremost, let my people coexist in peace. Let them love one another. When there is peace, everything will follow accordingly. As you know, for the past few months, there have been pockets of killings in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and other parts of Plateau. As I am talking to you now, the killing is still going on. People are still ambushed and killed. The situation is very worrisome. Our prayer is that enough of these killings. Let us embrace one another and live in peace. My major concern now is how to restore peace and bring back those that were displaced from their homes. If that is done, in fact, even if it is that one alone I have achieved, I think I will be satisfied and be the happiest person on earth. I will do everything humanly possible to ensure that peace returns to these troubled areas as soon as possible.
I am happy to tell you that I was together with the governor of the state sometime ago, and together we went round some top service chiefs. And they assured us that they would help us in restoring peace in these troubled areas. We thanked them for that assurance and determination.
My second priority will be on youth employment. In this case, I will use what it takes to get employment for the teeming youth of my constituency and I intend to empower those that are farming and doing business, among others. If that is done, I think it will go a long way to make the youths useful to the society rather than going into illicit drugs and other vices like stealing among others. Many other things are in the pipeline. I will try as much as possible to achieve them.
THE SUBSIDY REMOVAL HAS BROUGHT UNTOLD HARDSHIP TO Nigerians. TO THIS END, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED WELFARE PACKAGEs FOR WORKERS AS WELL AS THE DISBURSEMENT OF MILLIONS OF NAIRA AS PALLIATIVES TO poor households. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS?
It is not an overstatement to say that Nigerians are suffering seriously. As you can see, there is poverty in the land. Everywhere is very dry and so many things are happening. The truth is that it is biting harder on every Nigerian. Most families cannot afford even two square meals in a day. Everything has gone higher in the market. I want to appeal to the Federal Government to further explore other ways to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. Again, it is not the matter of removing the subsidy, but managing the proceeds from the removal is another thing. We pray and hope that the proceeds from the removal will be used for what is meant for. The federal government should roll out more plans to cushion the petrol subsidy removal because people are really suffering and it is biting hard. How long will the federal government dole out 8000 thousand Naira and give to the poor masses in Nigeria? There are many things the Federal Government can do to cushion the effects.
WHAT Would YOU DO DIFFERENTLY TO REWRITE HISTORY AND POSITIVELY CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AS REGARDS DEVELOPMENT?
Well, there is no challenge that is big or small but the centre point is how well will I bring back the dividends of democracy to my people? The cost of living in Abuja is very high but that notwithstanding, we will do our very best despite the challenges of our time. Really as new legislators, we have challenges of accommodation.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN TERMS OF PERFORMING YOUR OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS?
Well, in terms of the oversight functions, I am not new in the system. At least, I have spent eight years as a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, so I am not new in that aspect. I did not expect anything unusual. It is just that somebody might be doing something right and somebody doing it wrong. Oversight function must be performed, even within the precincts of the executive. If you look at it very carefully, there are inherent oversight functions. If a governor gives a ministry an assignment, they have a duty to do it to the satisfaction of the governor. The House of Assembly also has its own duty to complement that oversight function.
SIR, STILL ON THE FUEL Subsidy. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE REMOVAL AND ALSO THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SUPPORT IT. IN YOUR VIEW, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TWO GROUPs OR WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS?
Yes, I know that there are two types of people who have different views on the fuel subsidy removal. Some criticize it while others look at it as a good step in the right direction. But for me, I don’t want to dwell much on this. There is no way a policy will be implemented without people having different opinions about it. You will agree with me that President Bola Tinubu himself opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan when he made an adjustment on the amount of subsidy on fuel. And all of them went on the streets against it. And now the same President Bola Tinubu is in power now and has removed the subsidy. So just look at the position they took before and look at the position they are taking now. There is nothing new in what is happening now. It is just the natural consequence of the action.
IT HAS BEEN OVER 100 DAYS OF THE TINUBU Administration. How do you rate his APPOINTMENTs?
I think he started well. The few people he needed to work with in terms of administration activities, he made those choices early enough. So, I think he started well. The only policy that seems to be so bad is the petroleum subsidy removal. Apart from that, I can say so far, so good.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR IN THE 10TH ASSEMBLY?
Well, I want to be remembered as a member representing Barkin Ladi and Riyom Federal constituency who did what others have not done in the constituency by bringing democracy dividends to the doorsteps of the people. Just like in the state House of Assembly, I got employment for quite a number of my constituents as well empowered quite a number of them.
I also want to reiterate my determination and commitment to the protection of lives and property of citizens of the constituency.
Meaningful development can only take place in the constituency when there is peace and security.
