Speaker Abbas Commissions Gbajabiamila’s Constituency Projects In Lagos

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has commissioned the Surulere Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) facilitated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Speaker Abbas also opened a 484-bed Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), equally facilitated by Gbajabiamila when he served as the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

Speaking at the separate events on Wednesday, the Speaker faulted the criticisms against the Zonal Intervention Projects popularly called constituency projects, saying they are successfully addressing the needs of Nigerians, especially at the grassroots.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Speaker Abbas opened an 80-bed hospital at Imota in Ikorodu, Lagos State, facilitated by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson.

Annual budget

In implementing constituency projects, members of the National Assembly identify the needs of their constituents and nominate projects within a threshold in the annual budget of the Federal Government. The ministries, departments and agencies execute them as part of their capital projects.

The Speaker noted that legislative representation and constituency projects are two critical components of a functioning democracy, especially in a representative system of government like Nigeria’s presidential democracy.

“These specific initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents, ” he stated.

Speaker Abbas also noted that for many Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, it is through constituency projects that they see the most direct and tangible manifestation of the government and democracy.

“However, there has been a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the purpose and essence of these legislative interventions. Constituency projects are not mere items in a budget; they are the lifelines that connect the heart of our government to the heartbeat of communities,” he stated.

Unique opportunity

The Speaker explained that the projects offer a unique opportunity for legislators to address the specific needs and challenges of their constituents.
He said: “By tailoring projects to local contexts, we ensure that development is not just a concept discussed in the halls of the legislature but a reality experienced in the streets, villages, and towns across Nigeria.

“Furthermore, constituency projects best reflect participatory governance, given that local communities are involved in the decision-making process. This approach does not just build infrastructure; it builds trust, confidence, and a sense of ownership among the people.”

Saying he was personally encouraged by the many success stories that had emerged from constituency projects over the last two decades, Speaker Abbas noted that schools had opened doors to education, healthcare facilities had saved lives, and infrastructure had bridged literal and metaphorical gaps between communities.

The Speaker stated: “These success stories are not just achievements; they inspire millions of Nigerians at the grassroots level and show that the government cares about them. With greater transparency and accountability, constituency projects can be the most viable tools for developing forgotten sections of Nigeria.

“I intend to re-introduce a reviewed version of the Constituency Development Fund Bill to provide a legal framework for the management, disbursement, utilisation and accountability of funds designated for constituency projects.

He urged all legislators and members of the House of Representatives to emulate Hon. Gbajabiamila and renew their commitment to constituency projects.

He called for team work to bring about meaningful change for the constituents, saying that is the true measure of our success as legislators.

Lateefah Ibrahim