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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Senator Igiagbe Ikpea, representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has given N2 million each to the five local government areas in the district, while asking constituents to submit their priority needs to guide his intervention projects.
Ikpea made the announcement on Tuesday at the Edo Central Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting at Uromi Town Hall, Uromi, where he also explained the limits of lawmakers’ roles in the execution of constituency projects.
The meeting, themed “Deepening Legislative Accountability, Development Dialogue and Inclusive Participation,” was organised to provide a platform for direct engagement between the senator and his constituents.
Ikpea said his mandate was a sacred trust, promising to deepen consultation and accountability while using his position to attract development to the district.
He said lawmakers could not execute projects directly, explaining that funds for constituency projects were appropriated to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), which are responsible for implementation.
“Senators are not tied to road construction, as we are lawmakers, and money for constituency projects does not come to us as senators.
“It goes to the relevant MDA, and the MDA will spread the money to the local governments according to how you want it. I will continue to engage with the people with a view to knowing their priority projects so I can lobby for them,” he said.
The senator urged residents across the five local government areas to conduct a needs assessment and submit their priorities to enable him develop a template for lobbying for projects that would have the greatest impact.
He said regular town hall meetings were necessary to bridge the gap between elected representatives and constituents and help the people understand the responsibilities of the three arms of government.
Ikpea also promised to use his position in the Senate to attract development projects, support human capital development and pursue policies aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Edo Central.
The meeting was attended by political leaders, traditional stakeholders, community representatives, youths, women and other groups from the district.
The Chairman of the occasion and APC leader in Edo Central, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd.), commended the initiative, saying regular engagement between lawmakers and constituents was important to democratic accountability.
Esekhaigbe noted that speakers at the meeting had clarified the distinction between the responsibilities of the legislature, executive and judiciary.
He also said Ikpea assumed office at a time when constituency funds had already been allocated to the relevant MDAs.
Speaking on the constitutional duties of legislators, a former member of the House of Representatives, Patrick Ikhariale, urged constituents to understand the limits and responsibilities of elected lawmakers.
Another former member of the House of Representatives, Friday Itulah, who spoke on “Budgeting and Implementation versus Constituency Projects,” also stressed the need for greater public understanding of the legislative process.
Dr Pascal Ebhohimien spoke on the political future of Edo Central, while the Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mitchell Ofoyeju, addressed participants on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
A chieftain of the APC in the district, Elder Sam Eboigbe, commended Ikpea’s performance, saying his eight months in the Senate was too short to expect major transformation.
He urged the senator to sustain his efforts to attract people-oriented projects to the district.
Other stakeholders called for greater attention to education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, employment, infrastructure and security.
Ikpea also invited market women in the district to engage with him on empowerment opportunities.
The town hall ended with a renewed commitment by the senator to maintain regular engagement with constituents and ensure that their development priorities are presented at the national level.
