The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has said constituency projects were being widely misunderstood and the purpose they were meant for.
The speaker clarified that constituency projects were specific initiatives by lawmakers that the government through the budget funds them to attend to the needs of the people and improve constituents’ conditions.
Speaker Abbas made the remarks when he commissioned projects brokered by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajamiala in Surulere Federal Constituency 1 on Wednesday.
He, therefore, urged lawmakers law makers to maximise the essence of legislative interventions through constituency projects, saying that the projects should not be mere items in a budget and they should be accountable to the trust bestowed on them by the citizens.
A hall of residence of 480-bed space at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), a Study Center of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and police station in Surulere were the projects commissioned
Others were the reconstructions of Randle Avenue and a mini stadium in Coker Aguda.
The Speaker said legislative duties were being abused, adding that it defeats democracy.
Gbajabiamila thanked the residents of Surulere for supporting him while he was at the House of Representatives for two decades, describing education and health as the lifeblood to a healthy nation.
“Education and healthcare are the two things that can save a nation. If we can ensure access to quality healthcare for our people and ensure that everybody who desires a good education gets it, this nation will be unbeatable in every sphere.
“These two objectives, ensuring access to world-class education and quality healthcare for all our nation’s people, are at the heart of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. And I want to reassure all of you here today that we will meet these objectives and exceed them in this administration,” he said.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu praised Gbajabiamila for providing the facilities, saying construction of the new center would bring tertiary education closer to the people.
“We have seen an effort to reduce hardship from teeming students of our tertiary institutions most especially on the hostel accommodation and now we are also seeing another effort that is progress in education- that is access to free quality education.
“In terms of space for admissions, this center is going to add a lot of slots for admissions for interested students and candidates who will want to pursue their careers here,” he added.
He urged the management of the institutions and students to utilize the facility provided to them.
“We want to call on the general public to please utilise the facility that is being provided. There is no shortcut to getting knowledge. You must ensure the proper utilization,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said the hall of residence would reduce the acute shortage of hostel accommodation in the institution.
“With a student population of over sixty (60) thousand and current bed spaces of less than 10, 000 spaces which has adversely impacted students’ experience and our ability to expand globally and attract international students to the University. This is compounded by the cost of accommodation outside the campus going as high as N800, 000 per bed space.
“The facility will provide quality housing for students under a harmonised, diverse socio-cultural atmosphere, with students sharing common areas, lounges, kitchenettes, and bathrooms,” she said.
