From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has said it will champion development of rural development across the country, so as to bring development closer to the people.
Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, Marcus Onobun, stated this, at a meeting of the Committee, in Abuja. Onobun noted that the 10th assembly will do things differently, in its bid to serve the people better.
The lawmaker noted that the committee discharge of its duties will synergise with relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs), as well as other House Committees with overlapping functions.
According to him, “this is one committee that directly affects the 360 members of the house as we all represent rural communities. In fact, it is important to note that it is the constituents of these rural areas that chose us to represent them in order for them to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“In discharging their functions, previous chairmen of this Committee were severely hampered and restricted to certain MDAs but I will be doing things a little differently in order for us to collectively achieve our objectives and also make meaningful impact in the lives of millions of Nigerians who reside in the rural areas.”
Onobun, while soliciting the support of members of the committee, stated that he is open to opinion and ideas that will help the committee achieve its objectives.
He said “I am willing to draw from your wealth of legislative, business and individual expertise in discharging my duties so we can collectively deliver on the arduous task that has been laid on our shoulders.
“I am open to opinions and also novel ideas on how to navigate the diverse landscape of our different communities, peculiar developmental demands of our constituents, and ensuring effective legislative oversight that bothers on transparency and accountability, towards the Nigerian people, who are the main beneficiaries of everything we will be doing in this committee.”