The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has urged lawmakers to maximise the essence of legislative interventions through constituency projects, saying that the projects should not be mere items in a budget.
The speaker who commissioned projects facilitated by the Chief Of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajamiala in Surulere Federal Constituency 1 on Wednesday urged lawmakers to be accountable to the trust bestowed on them by the citizens.
Projects commissioned include 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.
Others included the reconstruction of Randle Avenue and construction of a mini stadium in Coker Aguda.
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He, however, he decried the abuse of legislative duties, saying it defeats the purpose of democracy.
“However, there has been a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the purpose and essence of these legislative interventions.
“These specific initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents,” he added.
In his remarks, the COS appreciated the residents of Surulere for their support 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 appreciated the COS for providing the facilities that would improve the academic performances and lives of students, 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.
