Saraki Justifies Provision For Constituents Projects

By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has explained why continued provision should be made for the execution of lawmakers’ constituency projects across the country. Such provision, he opined, would allow the lawmakers to impact on the lives of their constituents.
Saraki, who fielded questions from journalists on Saturday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, after his turbanning as Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, enjoined Nigerians to continue to live in peace and uphold the unity of the country.
The Senate President proceeded from the venue of the ceremony to the sites of his ongoing constituency projects in Kwara Central Senatorial District on inspection.
He inspected the erosion-control projects at Oja-Gboro, Ubandawaki/Oloje/Ajikobi,Abata Baba-Oyo and digital capacity building center at Ansarul Islam secondary school, Ilorin. The projects were facilitated by his office.
The Digital Capacity Building Centre was at the instance of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Responding to a question on the projects, the Senate President explained that it was clear to all discerning minds that the projects were real contrary to the wrong notion that constituency projects were avenues to fritter away public funds.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done on the projects, happy that they would impact positively on the lives of the residents.
He said: “I’m happy with the quality of work, am happy with the impact it has done. There has been a lot of criticism due to lack of knowledge when you talk about constituency projects. You will see these are projects needed at the grassroots. These are projects people have been yearning for over ten years (ago).
“These are projects that are real unlike the impression that constituency projects are just money people share. You can see that definitely; this is not the case. You will see how men, women and children, all came out with joy to show that these are projects that really impact on them. And that is the whole point of development of our budget.
“I’m happy to see that the implementation has been good. My concern has always been we can have this desire at the end of the day. So I’m happy to see the quality of work and this further shows that we used our office to facilitate the projects and ensure that we bring the dividends of democracy to our people, particularly at the grassroots.
“I’m proud that those that elected us can see the benefit of the projects, and these projects are real unlike some impressions.”
On his Easter Message, Saraki admonished Nigerians to continue to live in peace and unity in order to move the nation forward, while also pleading with Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the All Progressives Party (APC) -led federal government, assuring them that the government was working hard to overcome myriad of challenges confronting the country.
Saraki also called on the citizens to be optimistic and stay focused.
“My message is for us to live in peace and unity. I know that we will continue to make sacrifice, and we should be hopeful that the country will get better. We should be hopeful that we will attain our promises with time. We just have to stay focused and determined and should not get distracted. I’m sure at the end of the day, we will get there.
“But the most important thing is that there must be unity and peace, and we must be able to come together and support government to be able to do our best. People should not give up. They should be rest assured that all is going to be well”, he emphasised.


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