By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi
In Nigeria, the legislative arm of government makes laws, performs oversight functions, and serves as a watchdog over the executive and judicial arms. To ensure it carries out its constitutional responsibilities smoothly, the legislature also establishes various committees. This is standard practice in both state and national assemblies.
In some instances, leaders and members of these committees, through the agencies they oversee, gain the privilege of bringing developmental initiatives to their constituents. These initiatives cover areas such as healthcare, education, water projects, access roads, and occasionally, empowerment and empowerment opportunities. This welcome development has contributed significantly to addressing some of the people’s broader needs.
In Bauchi State, from 1999 to date, numerous constituency projects have been initiated across the 31 state constituencies, 12 federal constituencies, and 3 senatorial districts. While some of these projects have been put to use, others remain under construction, a few under lock and key, and some have even fallen into disrepair before being officially commissioned. Some legislators influence the establishment of government zonal agencies and institutions, health facilities, and educational institutions, among others.
Notable projects I have come across include two major facilities in Misau and Kafin Madaki, brought by the distinguished Senators Isah Hamma Misau and Halliru Dauda Jika (Dokajin Bauchi). Others include a school in Gamawa and a cattle market in Soro, influenced by Senator Sulaiman Nazeef Gamawa and Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, among others not mentioned.
This post is not to discuss who did what, when, where, and how, but to bring to our attention the silent neglect these interventions face. Furthermore, it aims to suggest possible solutions to this ugly situation and chart a way forward to put these facilities to use, thereby achieving the main objectives of bringing them to these locations.
On this, I hope the office of the Special Adviser to His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi) or the Liaison Officer to the National Assembly will look into this issue and chart a course to ensure these facilities achieve their intended purpose. It is also imperative that legislators, when bringing such impactful interventions, contact the state government for strategic and equitable distribution.
This will ensure they align with the state’s wider development plan, avoiding project duplication or siting projects in communities that do not need them or cannot put them to use. This is where our voices as observers, CSOs, and opposition political parties matter. This cannot be achieved in isolation; we need to come together and act to ensure the equitable distribution and utilisation of such investments for the development of our communities and the state in general.
Those who are privileged to work closely with the legislators should, as a matter of public interest, assist us with information regarding idle projects or facilities. This will enable us to look into them and explore ways to draw the attention of all stakeholders to do the needful.
Isyaka Laminu Badamasi writes from no 555 Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State.