Constituency Projects Tailored To Address Grassroots Needs – Speaker

By Oduyemi Odumade

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen has faulted those who kicked against provisions for lawmakers’ constituency projects, saying they are usually tailored to address grassroots needs.

He stated this while commissioning the Surulere Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, and a 484-bed Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence at the University of Lagos UNILAG, all facilitated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila when he served as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

The Speaker had earlier on Tuesday, commissioned an 80-bed hospital at Imota in Ikorodu, Lagos State, facilitated by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson.

Speaking at the event, the speaker faulted the criticisms against the Zonal Intervention Projects popularly called constituency projects, saying they are successfully addressing the needs of Nigerians, especially at the grassroots.

“These specific initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents, he stated, adding that for many Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, it is through constituency projects that they see the most direct and tangible manifestation of the government and democracy.

“However, there has been a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the purpose and essence of these legislative interventions. Constituency projects are not mere items in a budget; they are the lifelines that connect the heart of our government to the heartbeat of communities,” he said.

The speaker explained that the projects offer a unique opportunity for legislators to address the specific needs and challenges of their constituents.

He said: “By tailoring projects to local contexts, we ensure that development is not just a concept discussed in the halls of the legislature but a reality experienced in the streets, villages, and towns across Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the President noted that his story started at the University of Lagos.

“On this campus, I made friends who continue to play important roles in my life; I learned and acquired the education that allowed me to become a lawyer here at home and abroad. On this campus, I went from being a young man with ambitions to a young man with a plan. I remain very fond of and incredibly proud of this great institution,” he said.

Edited By Grace Namiji