Analysis I NASS' Recess: The Intrigues And Intricacies

NASS’ RECESS: THE INTRIGUES AND INTRICACIES

        

On 24^th July this year, the National Assembly (NASS) – encompassing the Green and Red Chambers – embarked on its two-month annual recess in accordance with the mandate of the constitution. Consequently, the federal lawmakers are expected to resume their legislative functions on 25^th September 2018.

         

Penultimate week, contrary to the ongoing request to call off the recess, some members of the NASS pleaded with the leadership of the joint chamber to elongate the duration of the vacation till the second week of October or thereabouts so they can participate fully and actively in the awaited primary elections of their respective political parties.

          

The demand of these legislators has generated mixed feelings cum reactions among several citizens in various quarters. In some parts, some Nigerians are opining that the lawmakers are up to something fishy.

         

Similarly, some others are of the view that the representatives, particularly those of the extraction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are still jittery over the alleged quest of the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – to impeach the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki owing to his recent defection from the latter to the former.

         

I initially intended to scold those who were trying to misinterpret the essence of the plea, not until I recalled that the current outlook of the country’s political trending has made many to become sceptical over genuine motive of most Nigerians in various positions of authority.

         

It’s not anymore news that the citizenry have begun to see every avowal made, or action taken, by an average Nigerian politician as selfish. This manner of reaction isn’t unconnected with the fact that many of our leaders at all levels have refused to convince us that they truly mean well for the general interest of the people. This is the reason every statement or request coming from any political office holder would definitely be misinterpreted in some quarters.

         

If not, I personally see nothing wrong with the call for elongation of the ongoing recess. It’s obvious that except for the office of the President, every other primary election invariably takes place at the various states across the federation.

         

For instance, the primary poll regarding the position of a certain slut in a state’s House of Assembly would be conducted at the headquarters of the affected state constituency or Local Government Area (LGA).

         

Same measure is applicable to a slut concerning the Federal House of Representatives or the Senate, as the case might be, whose primaries are bound to take place at the headquarters of the concerned federal constituency or senatorial district, respectively. And for the office of the Governor, the primary is meant to be held at the state secretariat of the party in question, which is usually situated at the state’s capital territory.

          

Against this backdrop, since virtually all of these serving federal lawmakers are seeking for one position or the other, it wouldn’t be bad for them to be presently resident in their respective states of origin towards enabling them concentrate adequately on the incoming primaries. They are equally in need of reasonable time to ensure victory during the impending internal rivalry.

          

Even those among them who aren’t aspiring for any post of authority are expected to be well informed in order not to be taken unawares by the party leadership of their various localities, especially now some state chapters of most parties are clamouring for indirect primaries.

         

The worst thing that would happen to a leader in any organization is to be taken unawares or for granted. Hence, it’s noteworthy that any iota of vacuum created by any of these legislators in their respective party structures could warrant the party leadership to overlook their membership or impact on the group.

          

So, at such a critical and highly sensitive time like this, being physically present is the only way a practising politician could remain relevant and participate actively in any activity to be carried out by his or her party. Politics is a game of interest and yours can only be wholly defended when you are fully involved in the game.

         

However, my fear is that there are two crucial issues of national interest eagerly awaiting the return of these revered lawmakers to the hallowed chambers, namely: the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections seeking approval and the just vetoed Electoral Act Bill, as amended. These two documents are unarguably earnestly pleading for speedy legislative attention.

          

If a comparison is supposed to be drawn in such situation, even an imbecile would concur with the assertion that a national interest is meant to override a personal one. It’s on this premise I wish to state that, if the legislators really mean well for the Nigerian state at large, they aren’t required to be told that there’s no excuse that ought to warrant elongation of the holidays.

          

Since every sane and rational Nigerian is looking forward to seeing that free, fair and credible polls are holistically conducted come 2019, it’s needless to reiterate that the recess itself is a threat to our common goal, hence deserves to be truncated in earnest. Think about it!   

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

                

TechDeck I On Lagos' New Building Tech

ON LAGOS’ NEW BUILDING TECH

         

The Lagos State government under the watch of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently introduced a new building technology towards addressing various ongoing anomalies in the state’s housing sector as well as erecting a structure fast and easily.

         

It’s noteworthy that the emergence of the technique was as a result of the colossal housing deficit recorded thus far in the state. Survey indicates that over two million losses had been recorded across the length and breadth of the Nigeria’s biggest city.

         

It’s not anymore news that building collapse alongside allied matters has in recent times been a plight for public discourse within the shores of the Nigerian building industry at large. It suffices to assert that the decadence is ubiquitous.

         

However, it seems that of Lagos is on the rampage compared to other states, perhaps owing to the fact that the territory consists of highest number of erected structures coupled with the deplorable atmospheric condition faced by its residents.

          

In his speech to newsmen, the State’s Commissioner for Housing – Mr. Gbolahan Lawal – disclosed that the new technology was already being used in its ongoing housing estate at Idale in Badagry and would further be deployed in the site situated at Imota in Ikorodu, in a bid to achieving the government’s motive of delivering 2,000 houses across the cosmopolitan city.

         

Mr. Lawal, who equally disclosed that the technique ensures construction of bungalow within 48 hours, stated therein “We want to see how to go into the manufacturing of houses. We make it seamless and produce about 100 units in a month. We have three companies; one is already at site.”

         

He went ahead to opine that investment in the housing sector usually have a multiplier effect on the economy as he informed that various gadgets and accessories such as tiles, electronics, water cum electricity meters, mattresses, TV subscription, in addition to menial jobs for artisans, are tied to construction of houses.

         

I’m glad that Lagos as an over-populated state could eventually arrive at a point where erection of formidable structures is considered as priority and could be done with ease by the builders.

          

It has overtime been insinuated in some quarters that the Nigerian polity was yet to embrace building technology to the fullness considering the level of quackery and mediocrity invariably witnessed in the sector. But it appears the Lagos government is about to disabuse some persons of the notion that Nigeria lacks the apt resources to get it right.

         

Nevertheless, before we celebrate in haste, it would be pertinent for the government to critically consider some factors with a view to ensuring that the newly discovered technique doesn’t fade away in no distant time and is fully domesticated in the state.

         

We aren’t unaware that the firms contracted to handle the job are mainly foreign, hence the need for every discerning mind to worry about the future of the initiative. Though the housing commissioner had disclosed that some indigenous workers are being trained in the technique and process of construction, I’m of the strong view that there’s need to institutionalize it.

         

Institutionalizing the said application would enable our teeming professionals, and the prospective ones, to passionately key into the process. Consequently, our indigenous designers and builders would be in charge of the initiative thereby helping to greatly boost the economy. So, Lagos can take a lead in this aspect.

          

Similarly, there’s a compelling need to establish a strict policy to guide the housing sector in the state. Mr. Lawal had notified the public that a new housing policy aimed at tackling the state’s housing deficit had been drafted. Such a policy, which ought to be implemented as soon as possible, must bear every clause needed to address all forms of lapse currently observed in the state’s building sector.

          

The policy, expected to be designed with the aid of well-experienced and reliable town planners, needs to enshrine reasonable penalty for anyone guilty of violating the development control laws. It’s in record that Lagos was the first state to create a full-fledged Housing Ministry in 1999 because of the priority it accorded shelter, hence such prioritization must be fully upheld by the awaited policy.

         

It’s also time we started recognizing the use of materials like wood, clay and bamboo in the construction of standard structures, either residential or commercial. We have been notified that the Lagos Housing Ministry had in years back experimented on the use of the aforementioned items but the availability and speed of delivery was the reason it dropped the proposed initiative.

         

It’s amusing for one to assert that the required wood for building construction is unavailable, or can’t be found in abundance, in the country. All we need to do is to raise the profile of timber-based architecture toward promoting the demand. Everything centres on adequate recognition of the technique in question and the onward quest to deploy its lofty use.  

         

In addition, we must begin to promote afforestation by assigning grievous punishment to unapproved deforestation via viable policies. By so doing, the needed woods would become more accessible and cheap than concrete and bricks, thus constructing with the former would be done swiftly.

         

As we congratulate Gov. Ambode for recording this feat, he and his team must equally be urged to think deeply towards making advanced building technologies stand the test of time in the state, so that, other states can borrow a leaf from them. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

______________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

Twitter: @mediambassador                  

           

Analysis I Criticism And Nation Building

CRITICISM AND NATION BUILDING

         

By Fred Nwaozor

 

Criticism can be defined as the expression of disapproval of someone or something. In the same vein, a critic of a person, policy or system disapproves of them and expresses such view publicly.

         

One who writes reviews and expresses opinions about books, films, music or any art work having considered it carefully can equally be referred to as a critic. Hence, it’s all about expressing a contrary view about something or someone in strong terms.

          

The last time I checked, criticism remained a matter of flushing out certain thoughts, policies and/or attitudes, or trying to change them. It is to show that things are not as self-evident as one believes.

          

Thus, criticism ensures that what is accepted as self-evident will no longer be accepted as such. It suffices to say that observance criticism in any society is a matter of making facile gestures or remarks difficult.

           

Criticisms are veritable recipes in any area of human endeavour. For instance; in steward-client relationship, if the latter has a criticism to tender, it means he or she wants to give feedback on the services being rendered to him/her, thereby creating an opportunity for the former to learn more about the person he is working for and how to convert them into a satisfied client member. Same measure is applicable in a trader-customer relationship.

           

Similarly, in business venture, working or partnering with someone who is patient and able to receive as well as act on criticism signifies that both parties involved can work towards a better or greater outcome. Furthermore, in movie production, criticism enables the producer to know what his audience actually wants.

          

If one always thinks he is right but doesn’t get feedback from anyone else, he wouldn’t know if he is really doing well. Whether you are selling, servicing, performing, or leading, listening and acting on those honest views or reactions will tell you precisely what is good and what could be done better. Perhaps, you can use the information to change your performance, exhibition or product, as the case may be.

          

In public service, criticism has the tendency of guiding the public servants away from bad practices, and towards good and acceptable ones. It would enable the said workers to take a step back or have a rethink with a view to making amends or adjustment where need be.

         

The socio-political arena is not left out while discussing the inevitable role of criticism in nation-building. Undoubtedly, a little constructive criticism from the members of the public such as the civil society groups, the electorate, the religious organizations, or what have you, channelled towards the political office holders can yield the anticipated change in the country or society in question.

         

Considering the positive impact of constructive criticism, there is no gain reiterating the fact that it is indeed a welcome gesture or required factor toward the socio-economic development of any nation; hence, ought to be sustained. To this end, there is need for us to acknowledge that the language we use in response to criticism is vitally important.

           

Whenever criticism is tendered by any concerned individual or group, the recipient is expected to try at all cost to avoid getting into an argument. Instead, they should turn the exchange into a discussion on how to resolve the predicament. Such approach would keep the door open for the required change.

           

Also, criticisms are not meant to be taken personally. Even if one feels he or she is being criticized unfairly, he shouldn’t retaliate with an extreme knee-jerk reaction. Such response will worsen the situation and can even harm the person’s reputation as well. Therefore, it is essential to always remember to not be offended by someone’s remarks even if you think it is a personal attack.

          

On the other hand; having noted the enormous significance of constructive criticism in nation-building, there is also a compelling need for the critics to be mindful at all times when tendering their criticisms. They ought to know when to tender the criticism and how it ought to be presented.

           

It’s worthy of note that some critics lack the orientation on when and how to present their criticism. This set of persons invariably tender their contrary opinions as a form of antagonism thereby making the supposed recipient misunderstand the gesture.

           

More so, critics are meant to comprehend that criticism is expected to be accompanied by the presumed remedy to the anomaly that is being criticized. Most so called critics usually end up raising a cloud of dust in the name of criticism.

           

Unequivocally, a criticism that is not tendered with a presumed solution to the problem being criticized is simply a mere noise that is intended to cause a pandemonium or controversy rather than addressing the situation at hand.

         

In view of these assertions, everyone at all levels including political leaders, followers, craftsmen, traders, businessmen, teachers and public servants, as might be the case, is expected to take criticism seriously regardless of the circumstance in order not to abuse the remarkable tool.

        

Criticism is arguably a veritable device but is required to be deployed reasonably and selflessly. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst & rights activist, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador