News Editor
By David Odama
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe representing Cross River North Senatorial District, said his commitment to delivering on his mandate to his constituents is unshakable and irrivisible as majority of the promises made to his people have already been implemented.
Jarigbe who spoke when he received a delegation of Cross River Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF )in Abuja at the weekend led by its interim chairperson, Franscica Ogar, explained that most of the projects designed to uplift and better the lived the people of his constituent have already been fulfilled while others are at various stages of progress.
According to the lawmaker, who boasted that his representation at the red chamber was beyond his legislative responsibilities of lawmaking and oversighting, his primary responsibility to his people is to uphold the social contract entered into with the good people of Cross River North.
“We are here to represent our people. We made promises during the electioneering campaign; we’ve kept those promises, and it’s still a work in progress,”, the senator declared
“Eevery council ward in the district has benefited from at least one developmental project, including water supply, rural electrification, rural roads, l construction of schools, renovations and furnishing with the art of modern science laboratory equipment.
On healthcare development, senator Jarigbe regretted the previous under-developmeng and near absence of equipped primary health centres within the constituency, but stressed substantial improvement have been recorded with essential tools such as glucometers, sphygmomanometers, and thermometers among other equipment are now in place in most of the healthcare centres as an ntervention in the senatorial district.
On local roads, the lawmaker enumerated rehabilitation of the road to his village between Ogoja and Ibil, as one of the ongoing stone-base stage, pointing to the long-neglected Boki-Abakpa road, which he said has now been fully rehabilitated.
On youth empowerment and education, the Senate Committee Chairman on Gas revealed that his office has provided business grants, tuition support, and launched scholarship and bursary programmes.
“We’ve deliberately embarked on structured scholarship and bursary schemes. By next month, bursary payments will begin. Some of our constituents are already studying abroad under NDDC and PTDF scholarships, in the UK, Europe, and elsewhere,” he added.
In response to questions about his legislative record in the 10th Senate, Jarigbe pointed to the bill for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Cross River North, which has passed its second reading and public hearing stage, lamenting however that other bills he sponsored, including those proposing a Federal University of Technology and a Federal Polytechnic in Ogoja were declined at the presidential level.
“That’s what happens when you’re in the opposition,” he remarked, expressing hope that the bills would be reconsidered in the future.
On the ongoing wave of defections by opposition lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Jarigbe made it clear he has no intention of switching parties, affirming his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“Our politics is local. If I tell my people I’m defecting, they’ll say, ‘You can go, but we’re not going with you.’ My people are in PDP, and I’ll stay with them. Everyone who defects has their reasons, but I’m staying with my people,” he said.
“I remain committed to fulfilling my social contract and delivering the dividends of democracy. Let us support our state government to stay focused and undistracted because our people need governance brought to their doorsteps,” he stated.
“If there’s one state that deserves to be created in Nigeria, it is Ogoja. I believe Mr. President will listen and grant that request,” he said.
As the only PDP senator from Cross River State, Jarigbe urged constituents across Northern Cross River to remain hopeful and united, emphasizing the need to support the state government to deliver good governance.
