Worried about what it perceives to be lethargy on the part of the Abia State Seventh House of Assembly, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called on the legislators to increase its oversight functions on many projects going on in the state.
The Pro-democracy, Human and environmental rights Advocacy group urged the House to state its position on Port Harcourt, Obohia, Uratta and Ngwa roads, being a NEWMAP project, beyond committee stage and summonses after which a legislator moved a motion in the floor of the house last year.
In a release signed by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director and Barr. Femisi Akande Head corporate Accountability & Human Rights Enforcement, FENRAD inquired to know what the 7th Assembly has done to unravel the true situation on the ground and make known the same to Abians whose taxes keep them?
FENRAD called on state lawmakers to oversight dragging projects in the state like the failed Faulks Road, the Osisioma Flyover, remodelling of Ariaria International and Ahiaohuru markets, and many other projects in the state which has turned to be abandoned
FENRAD also said it has been following with keen interest the ongoing push for the recall of Hon. Uzoma Abonta, member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.
FENRAD said that while it does not believe in media trial, grapevine rhetorics and political manhunt, however, guided by the principles of rights, including fair hearing, insists that the process of recall once finalised be allowed to go uninterrupted so that democracy which itself is a game of popularity is served on the constituents of Hon. Uzoma Abonta.
The group said that while this is the case, there should be no room for unhealthy tirade and vitriol against the person and office of Abonta until this process is over.
“Recall is one of the checks and accountability mechanisms through which constituents remove the elected legislator they feel does not represent their interest in government.
“While this remains the status quo, FENRAD said that more needs to be done to ensure that constituents and represented peoples elsewhere mount this kind of oversight on those elected to keep legislators on their toes.
“FENRAD believes that as the issues of Recall is happening at the federal level with the constituent plan to recall its elected Representative such Action should be replicated at the State House of Assembly level
“FENRAD stress that constituents should be at the alert and monitor their elected Representative and ensure they hold them to account on service delivery and oversight, it is only when this is done at all levels of government that democracy can thrive and power given to the people.
“Indeed, when the people control their representatives’ democracy strives while anything contrary and otherwise is tyranny by the minority, FENRAD said.”
