…Distributes 7,750 Bags Of Rice, Other Items To Delta South Constituents
… Lists Achievements In Senate
The senator representing Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State in the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has disclosed that he had appointed 280 political aides from all the wards in the district.
He also disclosed that he spent not less than N25m monthly to pay salaries of the appointees to enable him effectively represent the senatorial district and fulfill his constitutional duties in the Red Chamber.
Senator Joe-Onowakpo disclosed this on Monday at the Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko South Local Government Area Delta State while distributing palliatives to constituents drawn from the various wards that make up the senatorial district.
The items distributed which included 7,750 bags of rice, according to him, are parts of the President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of empowering and alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo, while presenting the palliatives, commended President Tinubu’s efforts towards revamping economy.
Items presented to beneficiaries included150 cassava grating machines, 230 grinding machines, 170 deep freezers, sewing machines, 200 cutlasses, 200 safety boots, 200 hand gloves, 200 insecticides, 200 herbicides, and 200 knapsacks.
Other items were 250 safety live jackets, 250 fishing nets, 500 fishing hooks, 10 Yamaha outboard engines, 50 sewing machines, 50 starter packs on those trained on various endeavors, and 7,750 bags of rice of different kgs.
Speaking during the event, Joel-Onowakpor noted that it was the fifth empowerment he had made since he assumed office 18 months ago
He said, “This has become necessary because of the prevailing economic hardship occasioned by the reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to right the wrongs of many years of decay of the economy and reposition our country for greatness.
“It is worthy to note that I was elected your senator in February 28, 2023 and finally confirmed as your senator after a protracted litigation that ended in November, 2023 and I have officially occupied this mandate for 18 months.
According to him, “We have also appointed 280 persons ranging from Senior Special Advisers, Senior Advisers, Special Assistants and Technical Assistants cutting across all the wards of the Senatorial District for which we pay over N25 million monthly.
“The main reason for this to open up governance to as many people as possible in the senatorial district and they have my mandate to interface with ministries, departments and agencies of government on my behalf to perform my constitutional oversight functions.
“And I urge those who have been appointed to take advantage of it and do that oversight functions because it is mandatory and constitutional.
“Within the same period, we have influenced over 23 projects, some have been completed while others are at various stages of implementation.
“These included the construction of ICT center in Emede, electrification of Aviara-Irri, construction of internal roads in Ozoro, rural roads in Emede, supply and installation of 500kv transformers to selected towns, construction of Ayakoromo road, internal roads in Bomadi and Esama among many others.
“Emergency repairs of internal roads in Ellu, Olomoro and Koko, rehabilitation and equipment of Emede health center, construction of skill acquisition center in Oleh, supply and installation of all in one solar lights in Gbaramatu, Oporoza and Patani.
“I want to remind us that I am not occupying an executive office but a legislator and all these have been possible because our president understands your plight and made Constituency projects available to the National Assembly.
“I align myself with the President of the Senate who emphasized the importance of Constituency projects to Mr President in his budget speech. Constituency projects are not new to Nigerians because it is the only way legislators can compliment the effort of the executive in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of our Constituents.
“I want to assure you that with the renewed hope of Mr President, more will be done in the coming days to reduce the suffering of people as a result of the ongoing reforms.
“Make judicious use of this opportunity to make a difference in your life, this empowerment ideas is geared towards improved food security in our senatorial district and I want to say we cannot meet or provide empowerment for everybody at the same time.
“It is an ongoing exercise and I want to appeal that for those who have not received now and those who have complained we have noted them down and we make sure that those who did not have now will get theirs.”
