ONE-YEAR IN OFFICE REPORT BY REP. JONATHAN UKODHIKO
I begin by thanking God almighty, who made my election victory possible. I also thank the good people of Isoko North and South Federal Constituency for giving me the mandate to represent them at the Federal House of Representatives.
In recognition of my first-year anniversary as Member of the 10th National Assembly, I herein humbly present my report detailing my efforts and accomplishments in the last one (1) year.
HOUSE COMMITTEES’ MEMBERSHIP
During the composition of the leadership of the House Standing Committees, I was appointed Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology. Additionally, I was also appointed as member of the House Committee on Local Content, Host Communities, Water Resources, Financial Crimes, Nutrition and Food Security, Interior, Small and Medium Enterprises, Power, Ethics and Privileges, FCT, Port and Harbour, Tetfund and Other Services, North-East Development Commission, and Urban Development and Regional Planning. My membership in these committees has created and will continue to create openings for job opportunities for qualified constituents.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
MOTIONS:
I have so far presented two motions on the floor of the House:
1. Motion on the Urgent Need to Compel Oil and Gas Companies to Stop Gas Flaring and Convert Same to Provide 24-Hours Electricity to Isoko Communities and Environs. The motion has since been referred to the compliance committee for review to ensure that the relevant Federal Government Agencies comply with the directive of the House of Representatives.
2. Motion on the Urgent Need to Rehabilitate Failed Sections of the East-West Road Beginning from Delta State through Bayelsa to Rivers State to make it motorable. The Federal Government is currently working on the road resulting from this motion.
BILLS:
I have so far presented nine bills on the floor of the House for onward passage into law:
1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act and Establish the Federal Medical Centre Oleh, Delta State, and for Related Matters. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
2. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Erawha-Owhe, Delta State, and for Related Matters. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
3. A Bill for an Act to Establish College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Olomoro, Delta State to Provide Full-Time Courses, Teaching Instruction and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management; and for Related Matters. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
4. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery Owhelogbo, Delta State and for Related Matters. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
5. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Colleges of Education Act, Cap.F8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of Federal College of Education (Technical) Oleh, Isoko South, Delta State. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
6. A Bill for an Act to Amend the University Teaching Hospital (Reconstitution of Board e.tc.) Act No10 1985 and for Related Matters, 2023. This bill is slated for public hearing and third Reading.
7. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, to Provide for Globally Competitive and Environmentally Friendly Innovative Research and Development in the Processing and Conversion of Indigenous Raw Materials into Valuable Chemicals and Petrochemical Products for the Development of Chemical, Biological and Man-Made Fibre Technologies for Industrial Application in Nigeria; and for Related Matters. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
8. A Bill for an Act to Repeal Technology Business Incubation Foundation (Takeover) Act, to Provide for the Establishment of the National Agency for Technology Incubation and other Related Matters. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
9. A Bill for an Act to Repeal and Enact the Energy Commission of Nigeria and to Charge it with Responsibility for Coordinating and General Surveillance Over the Systematic Development of the Various Energy Resources of Nigeria, to Make the Commission the National Focal Point for New and Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Conservation, and to Establish the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Conservation Fund (REEECF), and Other Related Matters 2023. This bill is slated for second reading on the floor of the House.
10. A bill for an act to Alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to provide that elections to the office of President, State Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Area Councils shall be conducted simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with the National Assembly and for related matters. Co-sponsored with 34 others members of the House.
CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS
INHERITTED PROJECTS:
Two of the first sets of projects we executed after our inauguration were projects I inherited from my immediate predecessor, Rt. Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor, a former Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives.
INHERITED
a. Specialised Empowerment Programme in Agric Business (Fish Farming, Hatchery, Smoking, and Marketing) for Youths and Women. This project was executed by New Balance Corporate Services Ltd in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre (NPC). 120 youths were the actual number of beneficiaries from the agency involved. However, I personally sponsored an additional 30 beneficiaries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 150.
b. Supply of Standing Fans. This project was executed by Phefa Construction Company Ltd in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre. Eight (8) constituents were selected per ward based on ward leadership nominations. A total of 192 constituents from the various wards in Isoko North and South benefited from the project.
PROJECTS LOBBIED FOR BY ME
A. NEMA INTERVENTION:
I fostered the supply of relief assistance to persons affected by flood disasters in our constituency through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Items such as beans, rice, garri, noodles, mosquito nets, blankets, cement, and zinc were equitably and publicly distributed to constituents by NEMA personnel in a space I offered at my country home as the distribution centre, while ward leaders, in their wisdom, nominated project beneficiaries.
B. GRANTS:
I am glad to report that the names and bank details of 250 constituents were uploaded for the Federal Government’s N50,000 Conditional Grant Scheme. Over 150 constituents have already benefited from the scheme, while the others are on the waiting list. I use this medium to congratulate those who have already benefited and urge them to utilize the funds to improve the quality of their lives through mini investments. I also appeal to those who are yet to benefit to be patient, as the process is still ongoing.
2024 APPROPRIATION ACT (BUDGET):
In the 2024 budget, Isoko North and South Federal Constituency got capital projects of N200m; Zonal Intervention Project (ZIP) of N113m; and N40m for constituency outreach. These are all statutory projects.
Also, through persistent lobbying and personal efforts, I was able to secure an additional N160m project at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), and N80m project at the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
BREAKDOWN OF N200M CAPITAL PROJECT
a. N40m for solar-powered streetlights in Eniagbedhi, Isoko North Local Government Area.
Project Status: Completed.
b. N30m for solar-powered streetlights in Owodokpokpo, Isoko South Local Government Area.
Project Status: Project awaiting award.
c. N50m for the supply of medical equipment for selected Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. The proposed communities were identified after a needs assessment which was conducted through Key Informant Interviews and social media inquiry.
Project Status: Awaiting Award.
d. N20m for the supply of school desks to selected government-owned schools in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. The proposed schools were selected after a needs assessment which was conducted through Key Informant Interview and social media inquiry.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
e. N60m skill acquisition training and empowerment for women in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. Selection process in view.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
ZONAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS (ZIP)
N113m Skill Acquisition/employment for Youths in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. Selection process in view.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
CONSTITUENCY OUTREACH
N40m for the construction and furnishing of a block of six classrooms. Owodokpokpo Grammar School was selected through a needs assessment conducted through Key Informant Interview and social media inquiry.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
OTHER PROJECTS FROM PERSONAL EFFORT INCLUDE:
1. N85m for the Construction of an Empowerment Multipurpose Hall using NBRRI Technology.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
2. N75m for Stabilised Interlocking Blocks in the Construction of 4 Classrooms and a Staff Room using NBRRI Technology.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
3. N80m for Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment for Petty Traders in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. Selection process in view.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. CONSTITUENCY AIDES: I appointed eight legislative aides to man and run my constituency office in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area. Although the aides have since commenced work, the constituency office, which is located at the old Union Bank premises, is undergoing a brief refurbishment process.
2. EMPOWERMENT: A total of 70 (seventy) constituents are beneficiaries of monthly stipends and salaries of varying amounts.
3. REVOLVING FINANCIAL SCHEME: To ameliorate the hardship faced by some of our aged constituents, I instituted a revolving monthly financial scheme of N5,000 for 450 aged constituents and persons living with disabilities. The scheme will run through my political tenure.
4. JAMB ENROLLMENT: I sponsored 400 students in the just-concluded 2024 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB).
5. JAMB FREE CBT TRAINING: I also sponsored free JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) training for candidates who sat for the 2024 JAMB examination.
6. 2023 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: I distributed 1,200 bags of 50kg rice, 400 Cartons of Noodles, 100 bags of beans, and 300 bags of salt to constituents in December 2023 as part of my Christmas celebration gifts to constituents.
7. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: As part of my effort to ensure our youths are gainfully employed, three (3) of our constituents were employed in the Delta State Ministry of Education as teachers at the State Secondary Schools. Also, three (3) constituents were employed by a leading oil and gas company as Graduate trainees through the Rep. Ukodhiko Graduate Platform. Currently, I am pushing for two constituents each to be employed in the ongoing Fire Service and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recruitment exercises. Those for the NPF recruitment have already been shortlisted.
8. EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS:
In honour of my campaign promises, I have awarded full tuition scholarships to 10 students from Isoko North and South Federal Constituency whose scores were the highest in the just concluded 2024 JAMB Examination. The selection process has been completed.
DONATIONS
Apart from my regular payment of school fees, house rents, hospital bills, marital and funeral supports, I have made innumerable donations and given financial assistance to religious bodies, social and cultural organisations, professional associations, and students’ associations, among others.
CONCLUSION!
The above-mentioned are some of the interventions that the frailty of memories and records could allow for me to list at this time. There are obviously magnitudes of spontaneous and unrecorded interventions that I have done and am still doing that I cannot recount at this time, some of which are still in their baking stages.
However, I cannot end my address without appreciating the strong spousal support and positive influence I enjoy from my wife, Mrs. Ivie Ukodhiko.
The kind support and leadership of His Excellency, the promise keeper and Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who has initiated and executed a lot of projects in my constituency, like the Emevor-Orogun road phase one, the State College of Health Technology, Ovrode, the Grant scheme by the State Ministry of Humanitarian Support Services, and Girl-Child, among other human and capital development programmes and projects, which are improving the lives of our people, I say thank you sir.
I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to all of our political, religious, and cultural leaders, who have provided us with invaluable support since we started.
To my team of staff, thank you all for your unwavering support and hard work. let’s keep up the good work.
I remain resolute and committed to service delivery to my constituents in honour of my campaign promises. I am optimistic that the accomplishments of the coming years will far outweigh those of my first year in office. There will be more opportunities for human capital and community development.
This is just one year out of my four years in office as a first timer. With a little more time and a contributory representative process, I am certain that everything good in terms of governance and effective representation will become visibly obvious in the lives and communities of the good people of Isoko North and South Federal Constituency.
I am committed to contributing my own quota to the building of a fair and equitable society in order to redirect Nigeria on the path of growth and development.
Thank you for your continued support, contributions, and trust in me.
REP. AJIRIOGHENE JONATHAN UKODHIKO
