Group operating under the ageis of Conference of Concerned Constituents of Shendam / Qua’an-Pan / Mikang Federal Consistency of Plateau state on Sunday said it has read with utter shock and disappointment the recent news that the House of Representatives had, on Tuesday 14th July 2020, passed a “unanimous resolution” for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic at Zandi in Jos East LGA, Plateau State stressing that this is coming long after the matter has already reached at advanced stage in favour of Shendam, the Headquarters of Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Shalwus Lucas Convener , Mr. Peter Maishik
Chairman and Mal. Umaru U. Datong the PRO .
The statement which was titled RE: A BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ZANDI, PLATEAU STATE: HON. ALPHONSUS KOMSOL LONGGAP, THE MEMBER REPRESENTING OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY HAS SOLD OUT
Said that Considering the sensitivity of this development and its negative implications for the peace, unity and security of our dear State, we deem it imperative to make some observations through this medium. By way of emphasis, it is our candid opinion here that this unabashed development does not only send wrong signals, but also smacks of very obvious tendencies of arm-twisting aimed at polarising the peace-loving people of Plateau State on the veneer of banal and vainglorious politicking.

THE COMPLICIT AND COMPROMISING ROLE OF HON. ALPHONSUS KOMSOL LONGGAP

We are, at this juncture, compelled to raise our voices against the complicit and compromising role of Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap the Member Representing Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives during and after the whole saga. One thing that has given us a serious cause for concern is his refusal to either to counter the motion or issue a reassuring press statement stating his position on the matter. We recall how, sometime in April 2020, he had issued some online statements clarifying his role in the face-off between the Management of the University of Jos and the Federal Character Committee of the House of Representatives. His refusal to do same in a matter which directly affects his Federal Constituency signals a grand conspiracy.

The general public may wish to note that even when we got the news that Hon. Longgap had on Tuesday 29th October 2019 sponsored three (3) Bills, for: 1) Establishment of Federal Polytechnic Shendam; 2) Establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Piapung, and 3) Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Namu, ours was a mixed reaction. The packaging of the three Bills was simply a means for scoring cheap political points by the sponsor. This was even more so that, with respect to the Bill for Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, he was coming up with an issue that had already reached the Federal Executive level. The simple interpretation amongst cross sections of the constituents was that our Representative, considering his antecedents, was merely playing to the gallery. It was very clear to many that there was no sincerity of purpose in his sponsorship of these 3 Bills, as unfolding events are already confirming.

Curiously, nine (9) months since our Representative came up with his Bills, nothing has again been heard about them. Most importantly, what we have observed is the fact that Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap had chosen to maintain loud silence and looking the other way, throughout the whole debate. We are at a loss at the dramatic loss of voice by the Member Representing Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, though it simply signifies compromise by him.

At this point we wish to pose some important questions: (i) Why has our Representative suddenly abandoned further debates on the Bill for Establishment of Federal Polytechnic Shendam and the two (2) others, only to give way for a “unanimous resolution” by the House of Representatives of a Bill which came several months after? (ii) Where was our Representative at the time of the debate and “unanimous resolution”? (iii) Was Hon. Longgap napping on the floor of the House, or was on one of his familiar contract hunts/lobbies in some of the MDAs? (iv) Why was our Representative completely voiceless during the debate and passage of the controversial Bill, if he claims to have attended the day’s plenary? (v) Has our Representative not traded off his Constituency’s interest for some pot of porridge? These are questions to which Hon. Longgap can hardly give any satisfactory or categorical answers.

OUR STAND AGAINST HON. ALPHONSUS KOMSOL LONGGAP

As citizens who demand good governance and a fair deal, we must not only hold our representatives to account, but must also raise our voices especially against instances of poor performance. It is a fact that a good Representative should be the unbridled advocate of his or her constituents, but in our own situation, the reverse is invariably the case. Since his inauguration as Member of House of Representatives in June 2019 we have been keen watchers of his conducts and performances which are rather characterised by abdication of legislative duties/absence from sittings, in pursuit of personal gains; insensitivity to Constituents’ plight; failed/broken promises; lack of consultation and poor communication with constituents; refusal to pick calls/placing of call diverts, etc. These have left very sour tastes in our mouths.

Against the backdrop of abysmal performance by our Representative, there is obvious diversion from the preferences of the Federal Constituency. Since we have now established that Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap is now playing the ostrich with a serious matter like this, we wish to make known our position:

1. We deserve explanations from Hon. Komsol Longgap, within the shortest possible time, as to his complicit and compromising role especially on the recent controversial Federal Polytechnic Bill said to have received “unanimous resolution” in favour of Zandi.
2. In the absence of convincing explanations from Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap our Representative at the House of Representatives, we shall soon commence the recall process which is in line with constitutionally-guaranteed right of citizens against failed representation. This is in the light of emerging loss of confidence in our Representative.
3. Already a series of consultations with fellow constituents across the board is on-going, preparatory to the exercise of our constitutional right of recall as stipulated in Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This is part of our effort to rid ourselves of bad representation especially by our serving Member of the House of Representatives.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion we have been keen observers of performances of Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap our Member at the House of Representatives and our general conclusion is that he has failed to deliver on his mandate. We have indeed been short-changed. This has confirmed the long-held misgivings in some quarters about the competence, capability and capacity of this Representative who, from emerging facts, had won his election through through questionable circumstances. As we prepare to begin the process we are therefore imploring all men and women of goodwill in our Federal Constituency to remain steadfast and resilient in this noble struggle.

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RE: A BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ZANDI, PLATEAU STATE: HON. ALPHONSUS KOMSOL LONGGAP, THE MEMBER REPRESENTING OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY HAS SOLD OUT