The senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, has assured constituents of sustained and effective representation, promising to deepen legislative accountability, attract development and ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people remain central to his mandate.
Ikpea gave the assurance on Tuesday at the Edo Central Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting held at the Uromi Town Hall, Uromi, with the theme, “Deepening Legislative Accountability, Development Dialogue and Inclusive Participation.”
The meeting attracted political leaders, traditional stakeholders, community representatives, youths, women and other critical stakeholders who deliberated on the duties and responsibilities of lawmakers and the expectations of constituents.
The senator said the town hall meeting was designed to provide a platform for direct and constructive engagement between him and the people he represents.
He explained that effective legislative representation goes beyond participation in proceedings at the National Assembly, stressing the importance of regular consultation, accountability and interventions capable of improving the lives of constituents.
According to him, “Stakeholders’ meetings are very critical for us as legislators; otherwise, the people will not be aware of what we are doing and how the three arms of government operate.
“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.
“It is only in this kind of meeting that you can ask the people to give you their needs analysis. I have asked them to go to their various local government areas and bring their needs analysis so I can put them into my template, and from that template, I will execute my projects,” he assured.
Ikpea further pledged to use his position in the Senate to attract meaningful projects to Edo Central, promote human capital development and support policies aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of constituents.
The Chairman of the occasion and APC leader in Edo Central Senatorial District, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.), commended the initiative, describing engagement with constituents as vital to strengthening democratic governance.
Summarising the various presentations at the meeting, Esekhaigbe said: “We have been made to know, by the various speakers, the differences between legislative duties, executive duties and the judiciary.
“We came to know that Senator Ikpea came in at a time when constituency funds had already been allocated to the MDAs.”
The meeting was hosted by the Deputy APC Senatorial Chairman for Edo Central, Chief Abuya Iduozee.
Speakers included a former member of the House of Representatives for Esan Central/Esan West / Igueben Federal Constituency, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, who spoke on “The Constitutional Duties of a Legislator.”
Also speaking, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives for Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Friday Itulah, examined “Budgeting and Implementation versus Constituency Projects.”
Itulah urged stakeholders and constituents to gain a better understanding of the legislative process and distinguish between the responsibilities of lawmakers and those of the executive arm of government.
Dr. Pascal Ebhohimien spoke on “The Political Future of Edo Central,” while the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) addressed participants on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Speaking with our correspondent after the event, an APC chieftain in the senatorial district, Elder Sam Eboigbe, expressed satisfaction with Ikpea’s performance despite his relatively short period in office.
He said the large turnout and calibre of dignitaries at the meeting demonstrated the senator’s standing among the people.
“We are happy with what he is doing for the people. In fact, he has tried. His eight months at the Red Chamber are enough to perform a miracle or magic,” he said.
Eboigbe, however, appealed to the senator to sustain efforts to attract more people-oriented projects to the senatorial district to enable more constituents to benefit from his representation.
Other stakeholders called for increased investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, employment generation, infrastructure and security across Edo Central.
They expressed optimism that continued dialogue between the senator and constituents would promote accountability and ensure that the development priorities of the district receive appropriate attention at the national level.
The meeting ended with renewed assurances that the senator’s office would remain open to constructive contributions from constituents. Stakeholders also urged the people to support initiatives capable of promoting peace, unity and development across the district.
Ikpea reiterated his commitment to giving Edo Central a strong voice at the National Assembly, assuring constituents that their mandate would be treated as a sacred trust and that their interests, welfare and future would remain central to his legislative agenda.
As part of his engagement with the constituents, the senator also donated N2 million each to the five local government areas in the district. He further directed market women in the area to meet with him to discuss plans for their empowerment.