By Tony Udemba
Dipo Olorunrinu, a member representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency (1 ) at the Lagos State House of Assembly, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), speaks on the activities of the House and other issues of national interest.
How would you access the quality of legislation in the Lagos state House of Assembly?
Frankly speaking, the quality of legislation in the Lagos State House of Assembly is much more dynamic, robust and visible, resulting in our being able to make a good number of quality laws, raise timely motions, provide the needed over-sight functions and related functions within our roles as lawmakers in the state. A good example of these laws include, the Lagos state neighborhood safety law, which will no doubt boost internal security in the state. The leadership in the House is quite functional and the entire system is dynamic, there is also a working synergy with the executive towards the overall development of the state.
What is your take on the leadership style of the Lagos state governor, Ambode?
Personally, I see him as a dynamic governor who is very friendly and hard-working. I see him as someone who is willing and ready to carve a name for himself. He is one governor that never discriminates and sees everywhere in the state as the responsibility of the state government. And, unlike most other governors in the country, Gov. Ambode has continued to make tremendous efforts in the rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructures in the state, without minding whether it is the responsibility of the state government or that of the federal government to do so. A tour of Lagos roads in the night, whether state roads or federal roads, will show that streets-lights on all these roads are clearly functioning due to the efforts of the governor. He has opened up various communities, and constructed 114 roads across the state.
What is your view on the internal security arrangement in the state?
Not too long ago, the state House of Assembly was able to legislate the Neighbourhood Safety law in order to improve security system in the state. Essentially, the neighbourhood Safety Corp will assist the federal police in ensuring adequate security across the state. If you look at the western world, you will notice the existence of state or regional police in their system, in addition to the federal police. The beauty of it all is that both the state or regional police and federal police work hand -in –hand, in order to boost security in the area. It is important to note that in improving security in an area, security officers from the area are much more likely to understand the security challenges in their area because that is where they come from, quite unlike those who are not from the area, but simply posted to the area.
Another good aspect of the introduction of the law is that the state has the capacity to recruit and pay the personnel, train and equip them to support the police in maintaining adequate security across the state.
What is your take on the economic recession ravaging the nation?
Frankly speaking, it is quite unfortunate and pathetic looking at the amount of suffering and hardship in the country. In fact I would want to use this opportunity to call on the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, come up with laws that will adequately take care of these challenges across the land. A situation where the cost of basic foodstuffs and other essential items, which are needed daily by families for survival, is out of the reach of the common man, is totally pathetic and unacceptable to the people.
How would you rate the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari?
APC, PDP and other political parties are just political platforms needed by politicians who are seeking for elective positions. Besides that, it is pertinent to note that it is not the political party that brings real changes to issues or situations; rather it is the personality behind the political office that is key to making the desired change. Even the blind man on the street knows what is happening in the country. For one to make the desired change in the society, he or she must be full of ideas in order to achieve that success. Even in the scientific world, you must subject your formulations to laboratory analysis to find out whether it is good or not before you can experiment it on human beings. But, like I said, the situation on ground in Nigeria is beyond party platform, rather what we need, are workable and result-oriented ideas capable of pulling the nation out of the current deep blue sea we have found ourselves, that is what Nigerians are urgently in need of at the moment.
What are your views on the fight against corruption by the present administration?
I strongly believe that corruption is a thing of the mind, and it is more of a decision thing. The fact is that anybody can be corrupt, and anybody can decide to stop being corrupt. It is wrong for someone to think that corruption is associated with some political parties. The method of the fight against corruption is wrong. In fighting corruption it is not something one has to make so much noise about. By saying this, I wouldn’t say that fighting corruption is wrong; rather what I am saying is that one need to be strategic and silent, while still fighting corruption and achieving quality results. By making so much noise in the fight against corruption, one would be unknowingly telling the world all the negative things about Nigeria, which is capable of creating fears and scaring aware investors from the country, thereby harming the nation’s economy. The only way out is for the government to come up with quality people-centered policies that will vigorously address all the mirage of challenges facing the nation, which must be aimed at stimulating growth in the economy.
What is your take on PDP as the party in opposition?
I don’t believe any man loves failure. Likewise, no political party loves failure. If you fail today, it becomes pertinent for you to learn why you failed, as well as begin to put together all that you have learnt, in order not to fail again. As a member of the PDP, we have learnt our lessons and we are now better prepared not to fail again. Rather, we are getting stronger and stronger, and quite ready to regain our position once again.
What is your message to Nigerians?
I will always salute the determination, courage and resilient of Nigerians, especially in difficult time like we have found ourselves now. I strongly believe that we can do it better, Nigerians are very intelligent, strong and highly energetic. Let’s look more on our strengths and not our weaknesses. The government as well must begin to talk more with quality investors. We need quality investors with huge investment portfolios to inject into diverse sectors of the nation’s economy. The nation needs big global investors that will stimulate growth in our economy and create jobs for many Nigerians. I strongly believe that it is wrong for investors to take our crude oil from Nigeria to refine abroad, and later bring them back at higher prices for us to buy. Time has come for the government to re-strategize on its global investment drives and ensure that we attract serious investors with the capacity to build refineries to refine our crude oil in Nigeria.