EXTRA: ‘Discussions without results’ — rep asks lawmakers to stop ‘boring’ motions on insecurity

Solomon Bob, a member of the house of representatives, says lawmakers in the lower legislative chambers should stop discussing the “boring” motions on insecurity due to the lack of results afterwards.

Bob, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing the Abua/Odual and Ahoada east federal constituency of Rivers, spoke on Tuesday on the floor of the green chamber during the plenary session.

The legislator made the remark after two motions of urgent public importance concerning insecurity were moved by his colleagues.

Insecurity across the country keeps deepening with cases of attacks and abductions on the rise.

Last year, Idris Wase, former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, said he received reports of abduction in his constituency on a daily basis.

Bob said over the past five years that he has been a member of the house of representatives, the lawmakers have “dealt with issues” of insecurity but with no positive results.

“We do nothing except to listen to this wailing and mourning about the inability of our people to go to the farms and do their business,” he said.

The legislator said until there are significant results from the resolutions of motions passed by the house, the parliament “has to be spared the ordeal of going through these boring motions (on insecurity) everyday and face more substantive matters”.

He said rather than discuss “boring” motions relating to insecurity, the house should focus on “more serious matters on the floor”.

“I haven’t seen any parliament like this in the world where everyday we discuss farmers-herders issues,” he said.

“The issues of insecurity are flogged. There is no attention paid to it. My view is that until we see action on the parts of the government or agencies, there is no point taking new ones.”

‘WE’RE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE’, SAYS KALU

However, Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, who presided over the plenary, rejected Bob’s point of order.

Kalu said as representatives of the people, it is the responsibility of the lawmakers to ensure that the voices of the people are heard.

He said the constitution does not “allow” lawmakers to implement their resolutions because of separation of powers.

“The issues of insecurity are not boring. Discussing the way forward for the executive to take a solution is not boring,” he said.

The deputy speaker said the lawmakers would continue to be the voices of the people even their resolutions are not implemented.