Agency Report
The member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Bassey Akiba (APC–Cross River), has decried the practice of rating members of the National Assembly by the number of constituency projects they execute, saying it undermines their primary responsibility of lawmaking.
Akiba made the remarks on Saturday night while interfacing with selected journalists in Calabar.
He said Nigerians should focus more on demanding good governance from their representatives rather than emphasising project execution.
According to him, lawmaking remains the core function of a legislator.
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He noted that while there was nothing wrong with citizens demanding development projects, excessive focus on constituency projects distracts lawmakers from their constitutional duties.
“No doubt, constituency projects help address community needs, but many lawmakers now see them as a distraction from lawmaking.
“I am not saying it is wrong, but most Nigerians do not know that project execution is not the primary responsibility of a lawmaker.
“We struggle hard to attract these projects to our constituencies, and this often affects our primary responsibility, which is making laws,” he said.
The lawmaker, however, said that despite the challenges, he had positively impacted the lives of his constituents through developmental projects and social intervention programmes.
He explained that he adopted verifiable, constituency-based initiatives spanning education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and economic empowerment to deliver dividends of democracy to his constituents.
According to him, he adopted a grassroots-focused approach aimed at reaching a broader cross-section of the constituency rather than concentrating benefits on a few individuals.
“On agriculture, my constituency outreach operates across four value chains — cassava, oil palm, poultry and fisheries — through which farmers receive inputs such as hybrid cassava stems and poultry feeds to boost productivity.
“A cooperative-based empowerment programme was established in each ward across Calabar Municipality and Odukpani Local Government Area, with thousands of residents enrolled. The initiative is supported annually with funding.
“₦25 million was disbursed through the scheme in the most recent cycle to enable members access micro-support for agriculture and small-scale economic activities through the Bank of Agriculture,” he explained.
Akiba added that in the education sector, he inaugurated a ₦50 million educational support programme in 2024, followed by an expanded ₦100 million scheme in 2025, targeting indigent students.
“Beneficiaries receive assistance covering school fees, books and other learning materials, including school bags.
“In the area of public safety and infrastructure, my interventions have improved night-time visibility and enhanced security in previously dark areas across several communities in the constituency,” he said.
NAN
