Hon. John Kizito Bonzana, the member representing Zing Constituency is the Speaker Taraba State House of Assembly. In this interview, he speaks on his agenda for the 10th Assembly and other issues relating to the state and Nigeria.
How did you emerge as Speaker of the current Taraba Assembly?
I emerged as Speaker of the 10th Assembly through the normal election process. I was elected by my colleagues to lead them, so that was how l emerged as the Speaker of this Honourable House. Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate my fellow members for electing me to lead them. l want to reassure them that l will not fail them in the discharge of my responsibility.
What is the legislative agenda of the House under your leadership?
First of all, my primary concern is to see how we can unite as members of the same family. It is only when there is unity in the House that we can function properly to legislate over important issues that affect the state.
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So, in this regard my primary agenda is to ensure unity of purpose at the same time ensure cordial working relationships with the executive arm as well as the judiciary. We are supposed to work in harmony and for the interest of the entire people of Taraba State. If one arm is going the other way, it is the people of the state that would suffer, so good working relationship with my colleagues and also cordial working relationship with the executive arm and the judiciary is top on my legislative agenda and vision as Speaker of this honourable House.
State Assemblies are regarded as mere appendages of the executives. How would the House under your leadership be different in this regard?
Well, that is what some people think, but it is not so. If you are a legislator, you are expected to work together with the executive arm for the common good of your people. The fact that you have offered yourself to work together with the executive arm and judiciary does not mean you are an appendage. This is because as a legislator, you should know your rights and limits.
How would you assess the previous Assembly in Taraba?
The past Assembly played their part very well and to God be the glory, no serious crisis was witnessed while they lasted.
Let me also commend the past Assembly for the work well done and l can say that they performed very well. We are grateful to them for the good foundation they have laid and now we are here today to play our part. We thank them and wish them well.
What role will the House play in addressing the security challenges in the state?
You know that security challenges are issues of serious concern, so we would support the executive in every necessary way and also create an enabling environment. We would provide the enabling laws that will help the executive to tackle insecurity in the state.
The last administration left a huge debt profile burden behind for the current governor. What assurances would the House give against further indebtedness of the state?
Well, is there any government that has no debt? All the states, even the Federal government, have a debt burden.
The important thing in this regard is to advise the executive to minimise taking loans and it should be only where it is absolutely necessary that the government needs to borrow that we in the legislative arm would encourage such. However, unnecessarily taking loans for the purpose of projects that are not going to help the generality of our people will not be encouraged and supported by us. So far, we do not see the present governor of the state Agbu Kefas taking loans the people would not benefit from.
There is agitation for the autonomy for State Assemblies; what is your take on this?
We are working towards passing our bills for setting the machinery for autonomy to take off in Taraba State House of Assembly. You should also know that for real autonomy to take off, you have to pass about two or three bills into law and the bills are at various stages now. The bills when passed will give the state Commissioner of Finance, the Registrar Judiciary and the Clerk of the state Assembly power to sit and decide on whatever money that comes from the Federation Account. Similarly, the other bill will enable the Speaker, the deputy Speaker, the majority leader and other members of the House to be in charge of what funds to go for a particular project. The bills for such are now at various stages and we would soon pass them into law.
The federal government recently announced that it will give state governments infrastructural support funds; what is your advice on how best to utilize these funds?
In Taraba State, we have issues of roads, schools and health delivery. Therefore, my advice is that these funds should be utilized to address issues on roads, schools and hospitals. If these areas are seriously considered, it will be fine.
Many members of the state Assembly are youths while the governor of the state also appointed Youths in his cabinet. How will this impact the running of the Assembly and the administration of the state?
As far as l am concerned, and looking at the present situation in the country, if youths are not carried along, l’m afraid this issue of revolution you are hearing about will be the order of the day very soon. The governor in his wisdom decided to involve a greater percentage of these youths and women in his appointments so that the youths would not complain that they were not included in the government. By involving them, if there are issues, the youth can easily talk to their fellow youths and they would reason with them accordingly.
So, l think it is a good thing and the only way to balance this is to see that in subsequent appointments into boards and commissions, the real politicians should be brought in to give their best in the government.
When this is done, there will be no problem and together we would move the state forward.
