The Nigerian House of Representatives has adjourned plenary, minutes after it resumed from its 2020 Christmas and New year holidays.
The adjournment was to honour a member from Abia State, Mr Ossy Prestige who died on Sunday, February 7, 2021.
The Speaker, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila while announcing the death of Mr. Prestige to the House expressed shock and regrets on the incidence.
He described late Mr. Ossy Prestige as “ a friend and an active member of the 8th and 9th House who contributed immensely to the success of the two sessions.”
Health of Members
The Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu says pressure from constituents is affecting the health of legislators at the National Assembly.
Mr. Kalu made the statement while addressing newsmen after the house adjourned sitting to mourn a member who died on Sunday.
He said members were under undue pressure and it was responsible for the deteriorating health conditions of many of them.
He said members use their private money to take care of some needs of the constituents which was supposed to be taken care of by State governments.
“These guys here are suffering, these guys here are under stress that is why most of the sickness they are passing through is heart attack and failure of organs due to stress for their constituents.
That is the truth, the pressure is too much, and people are receiving pressure from constituents on issues that is way out of the scope.
Those who are not supposed to build roads are asked to build road, those who are not supposed to build hospital are asked to build hospitals and so most members are under great pressure and some who do not know how to explain to their constituents, carry this pressure with them.” Mr. Kalu stated.
The Spokesman pledged that despite the pressure, members would continue to do their jobs as parliamentarians as it was an act of national service.
Lateefah Ibrahim
