By Dickson Okafor

House of  Representatives member for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Oghene Egoh has urged all Nigerians to support the anti-graft war of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. However, among other concerns, he expressed regrets over the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy.

Many are of the view that the 8th Assembly is largely constituted by first time lawmakers  and the executive arm seems unchecked, do you agree?

That is not true. The present National Assembly is made up of the best Nigeria can boast of in terms of experience and valuable track record. To me, lawmaking is very challenging and a learning process which requires dedication. Your spend time to study so that you can meet the aspiration of your constituents. So, it is interesting. Even though I’m in Abuja, I have my eyes on my constituency. As a first time lawmaker, you must work hard because the seat allocated to you may be at the back and the Speaker may not see you clearly. The front seats are reserved for ranking members who have been in the lower chamber for 8 to 12 years. So, they get the attention of the Speaker before those of us at the back when they raise their hands, hence we will continue to raise our hands until we are allowed to contribute at the floor of the House.

If you don’t work harder to be heard, your voice won’t be heard and if your voice is not heard, the voice of those you represent cannot be heard. Another challenge is that as a first timer, you must do a lot of reading to know the act of lawmaking and to represent your people effectively. There is a rule book which is very big and you must master it, hence before you raise a point of order, you must stay in order. Again, you must study the constitution because contributing in a debate or motion, you must quote the sections of the constitution that authorises you to do what you are doing or saying.

To have won election where you are not an indigene, what is your secret?   

First, I give God the glory. I appreciate the indigenes who in this case are the Aworis who gave me the opportunity to represent them in the National Assembly. Also, as a non- indigene in Lagos means you have to work much harder than the indigenes because they are those who will ask you to go to the state to seek elective position, therefore, they will not support you. They forget that you have spent all your adult life not only in Lagos but in that constituency. In my case, I have always participated in the politics of Badagry, Ojo and Amuwo Odofin council areas since 1986 when I was elected Councillor in Badagry Local Government Area (LGA). I was also elected Councillor in Ojo LGA and Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in Lagos State. Don’t forget that I contested to represent Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency 18 years ago and then I have been trying until 2015 when I got elected. My people have confidence in me and I must try harder to meet their demands. You must be humble to win the confidence of your host community as a non-indigene and you must be appreciative of their support.

What are your inputs in the 2017 budget that will improve the living standard of your constituents?

The budget does not work like that, rather, the budget is presented by the executive, then the lawmakers make their contributions and by conviction, I have always supported budgets that can increase jobs. In my constituency, there are a lot of unemployed graduates hence, I made inputs that can help create jobs. I told the government to fulfil their N5, 000 promises to unemployed graduates. I urged government in the appropriation Act to create enabling environment for businesses to thrive and attract foreign investment. The most important input is on road with regard to the $200million that America approved for Lagos State to improve roads in the state. And the key road project in the state is the one in my constituency that is Lagos-Badagry Expressway which contains rail line. However, members break into committees to harmonise the budget and that is where I made these inputs.

What is the relationship between members of your party, PDP especially those from Lagos State and APC in the Green chamber?

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It is cordial even though we are 24 from Lagos State and six are of the PDP. Let me single out the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila for showing leadership quality and fairness to all the members from Lagos State irrespective of political divide. He is a good man, accommodating and willing to help. We don’t see ourselves as political enemies, rather we cooperate to attract projects and make laws that will better the live of Lagosians. That is why when the issue of $200million loan came, we did not waste time to support it. My regards also goes to the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who came and met with all of us and solicited our support for any bills or motions that will uplift Lagos in the National Assembly.

What is your take on Buhari’s administration so far?

It is left for Nigerians to judge All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration within one and half years. It is obvious that Nigerians are getting poorer and I can tell you that Nigerians regretted voting for APC. No electricity as the country is in darkness hence, I sympathise with Nigerians. With all these happenings, it seems that APC is yet to have a full grasp of power. We in the National Assembly are giving the President all the support he needs to move the country forward and reduce the sufferings of Nigerians. Right now, Nigerians are looking back and have realised that PDP was better and the facts are there for all to see.

What is your assessment of the ongoing anti-graft war?    

I support the war against corruption. I commend President Buhari for the fight against corruption. But it seems as though only PDP members are corrupt. People believe it is one-sided and should cut across board.

What would you say are some of your achievements so far in NASS?

So far my people have expressed their confidence that they voted for the right man. I moved motion for renewal of Festac and Satellite towns because since the former Head of State, Gen.Yakubu Gowon built those places, there have never been renewal project and host of other places.

When there were cases of increase in armed robbery in the Festac Satellite axis, I moved a motion in the floor of the House for the police to do something about it and Inspector General of Police (IGP) sent somebody to my office and demanded for a copy of the motion. He made some changes hence, the Area Commander was transferred and replaced with another vibrant police officer and he beefed up security and crime abated.

Again, I moved a motion and cried out over the poor state of the National Stadium Lagos which is the biggest stadium in Africa with 60,000 capacity that is allowed to decay? Today, the swim pool has been fixed and the Minister of Sports promised to renovate the entire stadium. Other motions I moved include the repair of the roads in Balogun and Auto spare parts market at the Trade Fair complex which is the biggest market in Africa along Lagos Badagry Expressway. I’m happy to say that over N70billion is captured in this year’s budget for the repair of the roads in the market. When trailer and tanker drivers wanted to start parking along the Lagos/Badagry expressway, I said no and I laid the complaint at the floor of the House and of course, leaders of the market and stakeholders in the area came for Public Hearing at the National Assembly and the tanker drivers were asked to found somewhere to park. Early last year, some men of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps killed one Okoli, a boy of 18 years from my constituency who bought fuel in a keg and was shot dead. I moved a motion and the boss of Civil Defence was invited by the House and the IGP was directed to arrest those who killed the young man. These and others I cannot mention are my contributions so far to attract dividends of democracy to my constituents.