1.0. PREAMBLE
1.1. Rep. I. D. GYANG was elected into the National Assembly in 2015 and took oath of office as a member of the 8th Assembly on 9th June, 2015.
1.2. Being a first time member in the Green Chambers, Rep. I. D. GYANG hit the ground running when barely a day after the inaugural sitting, his voice was heard calling the attention of the nation to the protracted bloodbath, incessant killings, violent attacks and wanton displacement of communities from their ancestral habitat that characterized his constituency at the time.
1.3. Rep. I. D. GYANG had anchored his campaign on the vision of restoring peace to the beleaguered constituency hoping to rebrand it from an axis of violence and bloodshed to one of peace and prosperity.
1.4. Rep. I. D. Gyang forcefully pursued this vision not only on the floor of the house but through outspokenness in the print and electronic media and by engaging the critical stakeholders across ethnic divides in constructive dialogue.
1.5. This deliberate approach and sustained prayers has, along with the combine efforts of the security Agencies, Traditional and Community Leaders, Youth Groups and the State Government, brought about the restoration of peace to the constituency in particular and the state at large.
1.6. A Mid Term Legislative Review and representation performance would take into consideration the core mandate of a legislator and in particular, the following;
(i). Law making responsibility,
(ii). Over-sighting the executive arm of government; and
(iii). Representation of the views, aspirations and expectations of only the immediate constituents but that of Nigerians in totality.
2.0. LAW MAKING RESPONSIBILITY:
2.1. By the provisions of sec. 4(2) CFRN, 1999 as amended, the National Assembly has the constitutional mandate of making laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof.
Section 58, CFRN, 1999 as amended also provides that the power of the national assembly to make laws shall be exercised by Bills.
2.2. Rep. I. D. Gyang has within two years in the National Assembly demonstrated uncommon legislative craftsmanship and innovation in initiating and sponsoring several Bills. The volume of Bills standing to his credit is indicative of his legislative prowess and acumen. It reveals the depth of his capacity as a parliamentarian especially when this is taken on comparative basis.
The Bills standing to his credit include amendment of extant Laws/Acts of Federal Court Agencies viz.
1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 (Cap C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) and Enact the Companies and Allied Matters act, 2016 to provide for the Incorporation of Companies, Registration of Business Names together with Incorporation of Trustees of certain Communities, Bodies, Associations and for Related Matters.
2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Public Officers Protection Act 2004 to expressly Extend the Limitation of Time Period from Three Months to Twelve Months and Related Matters 2015. HB.15.11.157, c2367-2369
3. A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Procedure for the Reversion of Forfeited Assets and all Property or Proceeds of Crime as described by the Anti-Corruption Laws currently in Force in Nigeria and such Anti- Corruption Laws that may be Enacted by the National Assembly; and for Related Matters.
4. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Regulation and Prohibition of Arbitrary Change of Name in Nigeria and for Other Matters Connected Thereto; HB.16.08.767, c4545-4554
5. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Cap C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to make Provisions for Right to Food and Food Security in Nigeria; and for Related Matters. HB.16.02.403, C621-622
6. A Bill for an Act to Alter the First Schedule to Section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Reflect the Proper Name of Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
7. A Bill for an Act to further Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap C23 Laws of the Federation 2004 by Altering the Provision of Section 18 to Provide for Free Compulsory Primary and Secondary Education. HB.16.09.790, C4759-4761
8. A bill for an act to alter the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, cap. C23 laws of the federation of nigeria, 2004 to provide for the establishment of the ecclesiastical court of appeal of the federal capital territory abuja and the ecclesiastical court of appeal of the states; and for related matters.
9. A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Manufacturing, Importation, Distribution and Quality Control of Fertilizer in Nigeria and for Other Related Matters 2015. HB.15.07.61, C1215-1228
10. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Biotechnology Development Agency and Other Related Matters 2015. HB.15.06.33, C663-689
11. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos and to Provide for Courses Leading to the Award of Degrees, Fellowship, Diplomas and Certificates in Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science, Other Related Courses and for Other Matters Connected Therewith. HB.15.07.39, C769-790
12. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science and for Other Matters Connected Therewith 2016. HB.16.02.405, C635-642
13. A Bill for an Act to Give Effect in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and for Related Matters. HB.16.06.658, C2703-2750
14. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act and Related Matters. HB.15.07.62, C1229-1235
15. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2011 to expressly Provide that the Colleges of Agriculture shall Benefit from the Fund. HB.15.07.38, C767-767
PROFESSIONAL BILLS
16. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Act Cap. 111 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Increase the Fines and to make an Appeal Lie from the Disciplinary Tribunal to the High Court; and for Related Matters 2016. HB.16.05.007/C3199-3199.
17. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria Act Cap 518 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. HB.16.01.367, C131-131
Other Bills seeking to ament extant laws to ensure compliance of major revenue generating agencies to Sec 162 (1), CFRN 1999 providing for remittance of all such revenues into the Federation Account include;
18. Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency Act, 2007.
19. Nigerian Immigration Service (amendment) bill, 2017.
20. Nigerian Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
21. Nigerian Ports Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
22. Nigerian Railway Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
3.0. REPRESENTATION, AND DELIVERY OF DEMOCRACY DIVIDEND.
3.1. The delivery capacity of Rep. I. D. GYANG in terms of democracy dividends leaves no one in doubt of his appreciation of the mandate that was given to him as captured hereunder:
(i) Employment Generation is one area in which Rep. I. D. Gyang has shown passion and commitment and as at the last count, has over 40 youths gainfully employed by way of recruitment into Nigerian Army, Police, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Prisons as well as into the Central Bank of Nigeria, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, National Biotechnology Development Centre, Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos.
(ii). Health Empowerment: Undertook 2 major successful free Medical Outreach and treatment in which thousands of persons received medical attention including major surgeries.
(iii) Provided Economic Empowerment to 310 beneficiaries who are now engaged in gainful economic activities.
(iv) Infrastructural Development witnessing the construction and grading of 11.3km rural roads, drilling of boreholes, construction of a six classroom fully furnished secondary school.
(v) Forty Eight (48) Youths went through intensive one week ICT Digital Training under the SDGs.
(vi) Provision of food and other household items as relief to IDPs in 25 communities affected by displacement and dislocation of terror attacks in the constituency.
(vii) Construction of two classroom blocks each at Gashish and Shonong underway by UBEC, Abuja.
(viii) Solar Power Electrification Project with Forty Million Naira at Zakukpang, Foron which is awaiting implementation by the Rural Electrification Agency.
(ix) The over N250m Rapid Response and Deployment Mobile Police Security Base at Tahoss in Riyom LGA – An on-going Project.
(x) Provision of secondary and Primary School Text Books and financial assistance for scholarly pursuit in form of fees and education materials.
3.2. MOTIONS & DEBATES.
Pursuant to Sec.60 CFRN 1999 which empowers the legislature to regulate its own procedure, that Standing Orders of the House allows members to introduce or seek authorization to be heard on the floor by way of a motion. Once granted, a member raises and canvases a matter that he wants to bring to national attention and intervention of the House and government.
3.3. Rep. I. D. GYANG has invoked and taken advantage of this provision by moving motions on matter of Urgent Public and National Importance on the floor of the House including the following:
(1). Motion on Violent Terror Attacks on the people of Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State resulting in killing of 276 persons, displacement of over 22,000 persons, destruction of over 38 villages and communities – 24/6/15.
(2). Motion on the Honour of Lt Col. M. Abu Ali and six other soldiers slain in an armed bush by Boko Haram Terrorist on Friday 4th Nov., 2016.
(3). Motion on the need to Rescue the Airline Industry from imminent collapse- this was a result of the grounding of many commercial airlines in Nigeria in.
(4). Call for urgent Intervention in the wake of the Inferno that gutted the Library and Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jos.
(5). Motion on the urgent need to Address the vex issue of unclaimed Dividends Funds and its effect on the capital market in Nigeria.
(6). Motion on strengthening safety on Nigerian Roads and Curbing the inherent dangers of Night Travels.
(7). Motion on Violent Attack leading to loss of lives in Riyom and Jos South LGAs, Plateau State on 14/12/15 in which 22 persons were killed and several others wounded 16/12/15.
(8) Destruction of property and Displacement of Households by a Rainstorm at Sambak, Riyom Local Government Area Plateau State, May, 2017.
3.4. The participation of Rep. I. D. GYANG in debates on the floor of the House has endeared him not only to his constituents but to many Nigerian who have taken note of his outspokenness and valuable contributions to issues of national importance.
The legislative activism of Rep. I. D. GYANG has raised the bar in representative democracy in comparative terms to earlier arrivals both in terms of deliverables of democracy dividend and legislative craftsmanship.
4.0. OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS 4.1. The CRFN 1999 as amended in sec 62 empowers the Legislature to appoint committees, through which it exercises and undertakes its legislative functions, including powers to oversight the Executive. Section 88&89 CFRN 1999 also empowers the legislature with investigation powers to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.
4.2. Rep. I. D. GYANG is vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Service Matters and member of other committees, i.e.
(i) Basic Education & Services
(ii) SDGs
(iii) Federal Character
(iv) IDPs
(v) National Security & Intelligence
(vi) Customs & Excise
(vii) Niger Delta Affairs Ministry
(viii) Cooperation & Integration in Africa
4.3. It is through the House Committees that members undertake oversight functions on the government agencies under the direct purview of the respective committees.
4.4. Rep. I. D. GYANG is an active member of the committees he belongs to. Testimony to that effect is the respect that the Chairmen and members accord him in appreciation of his invaluable contributions to the success of the committees.
4.5. The oversight functions entails on-the-spot visits to project sites, interaction with Agencies officials, investigative and public hearings etc.
5.0. HONOURS & AWARDS
5.1. The performance of Rep. I. D. GYANG has so far attracted attention and has been garlanded. These awards attest to the high rating of Rep. I. D. Gyang as a frontline legislator in the 8th Assembly among which is the following:
(i)Award of Excellence by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSM).
(ii)Award of Outstanding House member of the year 2016 by Legislative Writers Forum, Abuja.
(iii)Award of Excellence by Arewa Journalist Forum, NASS, Abuja-2016.
(iv)Sardaunar Matassan Arewa in recognition and appreciation of eminent contribution towards Youths Empowerment philanthropy, Education development by Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
(v)ECOWAS Youth Parliament (EYP) Award of Excellence as Epitome of good leadership – 29/3/17.
(vi)Award of Excellence in recognition of Youth development and excellent representation by NAPSS, COE Gindiri.
(vii) Outstanding Legislator of the year 2016 under the auspices of the Plateau Awards.
6.0. WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE YEAR AHEAD.
6.1. The next two years promises to be another season of explosive legislative engagement for Rep. I. D. Gyang and his constituents and the nation at large should expect much more!
6.2. Under the 2017 Appropriation Act which has been assented to by the President, constituency and other projects earmarked for implementation in the constituency are as indicated hereunder:
1. Farmers Rural Market at Hoss, Riyom LGA, Plateau State, N 36M (Thirty-Six Million Naira Only), Borders Communities Development Agency (BCDA),OSGF
2. Farmers Rural Market at Ganawuri, Riyom LGA, Plateau State,N 36M (Thirty-Six Million Naira Only),Borders Communities Development Agency (BCDA), OSGF
3. Construction of Town Hall at Foron Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, N 25M (Twenty-Five Million Naira Only) Borders Communities Development Agency (BCDA),OSGF
4. Construction of PHC Clinic at Lobiring, Ropp Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State to cost N 20M (Twenty Million Naira Only), Refugee Commission OSGF
5. Construction of Box Culvet at Bachi, Riyom LGA, Plateau State, N 10M (Ten Million Naira Only) Refugee Commission OSGF
6. Electrification at Tapo-Tatu-Kpang Heipang Barkin LGA, Plateau State to cost N 11M (Eleven Million Naira Only) Rural Electrification Agency, MWP&H
7. Construction of a block of 3 classrooms with instructional materials in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State to cost N 20M (Twenty Million Naira Only) under UBEC, FMOE
8. Electrification in Foron Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State costing N 30M (Thirty Million Naira Only) Rural Electrification Agency, MPW&H
9. Construction of Barkin Ladi Dam, Plateau State. N 276M (Two Hundred and Seventy-Six Million Naira Only) by the Ministry of Water Resources
10. Construction of 2 Blocks of 3 classrooms in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State in the sum of N 28M (Twenty-Eight Million Naira Only) under NBRRI Science & Tech.
11. 200 Nos. Solar Street Poles for the eight (8) Federal Constituencies Plateau State including own constituency. N 50M (Fifty Million Naira Only) under National Centre for Energy Research ATBU, Bauchi Science & Tech.
7.0 CONCLUSION
7.1. The impact of democratic legislative representation under Rep. I. D. Gyang is speaking in practical terms with evidential proofs. He is leaving up to the demands and expectation of the mandate that was overwhelmingly given to him by the people.
7.2. As we look forward to the consolidation of the existing peace in the constituency in particular and Plateau State at large, it is hoped that the 2017 Budget will be implemented by the Executive to bring to reality the projects so appropriated to Barikin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency. It is necessary to say that this modest attainment is attributable to God’s enabling grace. To God be the glory and immense gratitude to the good people of Barikin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency who gave us the mandate and opportunity to serve.
Long Live Barikin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency,
Long Live Plateau State,
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria, AMEN!
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