Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State) Chairman, House Committee on Nigeria-South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group is a respected grassroots politician. He was a Councilor, and later a board member of DESOPADEC. In this exclusive interview with our Publisher, Precious Enebuse, he bares his mind on his expectations from the 10th Assembly and on why Nigerians must support the 10th NASS.
Excerpts:
Who is Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi?
Nnamdi Ezechi is from Okpai. By the special grace of God, he is the Honourable Member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives.
I am an HND graduate of the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro. I was born and brought up from the village. And I love my roots.
Sir, how did you feel when you were declared winner of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Constituency seat in the House of Representatives?
To God almighty be the glory, I felt so excited. I felt elevated by God Almighty through the votes of the good people of my constituency, Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency.
It feels so good rubbing shoulders and sharing ideas with my colleagues here in the national assembly, and I feel challenged that my people have put me to the test.
Having won the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, what are you bringing to the table?
Of course, I keep on telling people that the name, Right Honourable Nnamdi Ezechi is synonymous with development in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency. The name Nnamdi Ezechi stands for peace and love, and I know, by the special grace of God who enthrone me through the help of my people, I will bring remarkable developments to Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency.
I am not here to compete with anyone. I pray God Almighty will guide me and help me do the needful. In my heart of hearts, I intend to deliver the dividends of democracy to my people in the most profound way; something different that will remain indelible in the memory of my people. And, I believe that is the reason why I am here—to impact meaningfully to the lives of my people.
People go outside and attract democracy dividends to service their constituents, and I think I will not be left out.
So far, how has it been representing the good people of Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency in the House of Reps?
So far so good, it has been okay. For the number of few months we have spent here I can say that reasonable achievements have been made and I don’t want to join issue with anyone but all I need is the support of my people and prayers. And I want experts to surround me where you think that will profit Ndokwa people that should be my interest. And anyone with such ideology, is someone I can call my brother. I am not here on a diverse opinion where you will tell me different thing and do different thing. All I just need is for the betterment of Ndokwa nation. And for the time being, I can reasonably and boldly say that Ndokwa is happy because they are also seeing the effect of my representation for the past few months.
What is the state of infrastructure, education, health and security in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, and what are your plans?
Let me start with the issue of security. It will interest you to know that security is now a global issue. The major challenge to security in my constituency was the menace caused by armed herdsmen. But, by the special grace of God, and with the help of the state government under the dynamic leadership of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori. The Governor also has initiated plans where farmers and herdsmen are expected to unite.
since I have been elected as Member of House of Representatives, I have no cause to say that I have security challenges in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency, in terms of armed herdsmen attack in the area.
As a person, what are your expectations of the 10th NASS, and as a member of the House, how would you make real such expectations?
Thank you very much for this question. My personal expectation is purposeful leadership from all corners of the House of Representatives. We are new members. Our interaction with the leadership of the House led by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD is promising, and I think he is very competent. He has very good plans towards improving the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians and Nigeria.
My expectation, as a member representing my constituency, is that my federal constituency, Ndokwa/Ukwuani, should be able to benefit fully from all the plans, policies and programmes of the present government. This is because I did not come here by my personal effort. I am in the 10th National Assembly because my people gave me the vote, and I have their mandate. So, considering the assurances we got from Mr. Speaker, my conviction and prayer is that Ndokwa/Ukwuani will be full beneficiaries.
As you are aware, and I must say without fear or favour that, Ndokwa is one of the major oil and gas producing federal constituencies. In Ndokwa today, over 60 % of the communities are host communities, unlike some federal constituencies that became oil producing communities by just one community. In Ndokwa, virtually all the communities are hosts to oil and gas facilities. To say the least, we are contributing immensely to the nation’s economy. My focus now, with the full cooperation and help of Mr. Speaker, is to harness the opportunities of our unquantifiable contributions to the nation and bring development to Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency.
How many bills and motions have you sponsored or moved, and what are their benefit to Nigeria and indeed the average Nigerian?
We have relatively over 14 bills.one of those bills is to the establish the Federal University of Gas Technology in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency. The second in line is the bill to establish Federal University of Health Sciences, to be sited in Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom, Kwale. There is the bill for an Act for the establishment of Federal Medical Centre in Utagba-Ogbe Kwale. I can go on and on mentioning them.
Motions. I have over 12 motions now, and all of those motions are for the benefit of my people. I sit here and don’t just draft motions alone. I consult widely with stakeholders in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency. It was their idea that these should be read on the floor of the House and it brought about these motions, to the benefit of Ndokwa people.
For instance, the Federal Medical Centre is to be established in Utagba-Ogbe. You will agree with me that Kwale is metropolitan. It is where virtually every tribe resides. Ndokwa natives own houses in Kwale. Virtually all Ndokwa sons and daughters of high ranking own a house in Kwale. I lived there for years.
Our emphasis on health institutions is all because we are surrounded by oil and gas companies, and suffer more from toxicity of the environment, which causes a prevalence of chronic and non-chronic diseases to Ndokwa people. Secondly, I thought it wise, after due consultation with stakeholders, that there was the need to establish a federal medical centre in Kwale because the general hospital alone cannot carter to the needs of our people.
Sometimes, when you visit the general hospital, you see patients in their numbers just waiting to see the doctor but end up not seeing any doctor due to shortage of manpower among others. That apart, health cases in general hospitals are usually minor cases. Federal medical centres have ultramodern and state of the art facilities. So, when one is established in Kwale, it will solve the problem of traveling for many kilometres to the Asaba Federal Medical Centre. Secondly, it will certainly reduce the rate of death in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency.
You are the Chairman, House Committee on Nigeria-South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group, what is the relevance of your committee?
Nigeria and Korea have a very robust bilateral relationship that is anchored on years of mutual trust and cooperation. At present, Korea is among the developed nations partly due to the leadership and commitment of the Korean people.
A lot of Korean companies are doing business in Nigeria especially in the area of oil and gas; it will interest you to know that six of our LNG trains were constructed by Korean companies.
The relevance of the House Committee on Nigeria-South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group cannot be overemphasized. The committee is composed of well experienced, ranking and highly respected members of the 10th House of Representatives, which by the grace of Mr. Speaker I am privileged to lead as Chairman.
Our mandate is to explore opportunities for legislative exchanges, inter-parliamentary visits, sharing of knowledge and experience between the friendship groups as well as strengthening legislative frameworks to support and facilitate trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The present administration has emphasized the need for greater South Korean investment in the establishment of local industries for youth employment and technology transfer. With our youthful population, we can be able to fill in those talent deficits by 2030, when there will be six million talent deficit in the U.S., Russia and Brazil.
The present government want to replicate South Korea’s national transportation system. We need to learn a lot from Korea especially in the areas of manufacturing and agriculture.
My last question: what is your message to Nigerians considering these tough times?
I want to appeal to Nigerians to be calm and optimistic. I know that the challenges facing us, as citizens and as a nation, are enormous; the cost of living is very high, so much so that the rich also are complaining. The average Nigerian is suffering I must tell you. We are all in one vessel. We have one country and that country is Nigeria.
I urge us to be patient and law abiding. We all must support government policies. Reacting in anger, we would gain nothing. But with humility and support for government policies and programmes, it will also one day touch you. I bet you there is no country that can grow without challenges. No country. The US, one of the oldest democracies, also passed through difficult times economically. In Europe, in Asia, in the Americas, and elsewhere, countries that had passed through difficult times, such that their citizens equally complained bitterly, today have a happy story to tell because they excelled in patience.
I am seriously appealing to our brothers and sisters to be patient with particularly the 10th National Assembly and the whole government of the day. The 10th Assembly is where the interest of every part of this country is represented. It is only with the support of citizens that we can be able to make good and effective laws that will make better the lives of all Nigerians.
And, you know, in law making, all we need is the support of the masses. I can assure you that at the opportune time, Nigerians will forget most of these menaces disturbing us as a people and as a nation.
END
