House of Representatives member for Akoko South-East/South-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Kolawole Babatunde, speaks with Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, on the need for the Federal Government to plan, warning that failure to do so would result in pressure on the country’s finances and infrastructure, especially roads, housing, education and health among other issues.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2016 Ondo governorship election
APC will spring surprises in next year’s governorship election in the state. APC is the party of choice in Ondo State. I know that the people of this state want to be part of the party that can drive the real change they desire. It is apparent that the yearnings and aspirations of the people are not being met. The visible desire of the people is for development, jobs for the teeming youths who are the hopes of our future, good healthcare services for both the young and elderly, responsible and responsive government, for qualitative and all-encompassing education. The people of Ondo know that all these things are synonymous with APC. That is why APC is strong in Ondo and it is the reason for the people wanting to be part of the change agenda.
How prepared is the party now?
APC is going to win the governorship election in Ondo. We are prepared. The people desire change. We know their pains and we have the blueprint to eliminate the pains. I believe Ondo is tired of moving a step forward and five steps backwards. I am one of the numerous personalities that Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice, mentored. Within the few months that I have spent in office, I have been able to further build the confidence of the good people of Akoko South-East and South-West in the new government. It is time for progress.
Assessing the eighth National Assembly so far
The eighth National Assembly is doing very well. Though there were minor incidences at the beginning, the House is stable now. There is a legislative agenda in place. Standing committees have been successfully constituted and inaugurated. They are up and running. The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, has expressed the commitment of the eighth House to ensure that Nigerians reap the dividends of democracy through virile and people-oriented legislation.
Issues such as security, unemployment and economic diversification are on the front-burners. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) – the offshoot of insurgency in the North East part of the country – are receiving attention from the House, so much so that it created a new standing committee for them. The House has even passed a resolution for the establishment of a commission for the development of the North East.
If you also noticed, many of the motions brought by members are infrastructure-related and have to do with things happening in their constituencies like roads, electricity, floods and so on. They are usually passed without debate because of its importance to the socio-economic activities of the people. It was under this grace that I was able to bring the motions for the rehabilitation of the Owo-Iyere-Ipele-Ago Alao-Owoani-Idoani- Ifira-Sosan-Isua Road, which is a federal road, and the Owo-Oba-Ajegunle-Akungba-Iwaro-Oke Oka-Okhia-Epinmi-Isua Road which is a state road in Ondo. And the motion was passed. This is to tell you that the eighth House is sensitive to the problems of the people and is doing its best to make things better.
Settling the issue of composition of standing committees
Yes, the committees have been successfully constituted, inaugurated and are up and running. But you are also aware that there were some disagreements over the constitution of the committees. But by and large, the committees have been inaugurated. What is needed now is patience to allow the committees go full throttle. The eighth House is barely six months. Things are just taking shape. Nonetheless, from the morning, one can discern how the day would be. From the way the House is going, it is obvious that Nigerians should expect good things from its members.
Motion seeking to control Nigeria’s population
The motion was simply asking that the Federal Government should take steps to manage the population, and that it should also direct the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to educate Nigerians on the benefit of family planning.
The truth is, I never said population is not an asset to the nation. It is an asset. But unbridled and unmanageable population has negative consequences. Everyone knows that. If at an estimated 166 million we are still adding about five million births per annum, there should be cause to worry.
There is need to plan, otherwise, like the motion stated, there would be pressure on the country’s finances and infrastructure, especially roads, housing, education and health. Also, there would be a corresponding increase in unemployment, crime, poverty and so on.
So, it was a great surprise that some members saw it as an attack on Muslims. That was not the intention or motive of the motion.
The report by United States-based Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is in public domain. And it states in its 2011 World Population Data Sheet, released in 2014, that Nigeria’s population would be 433 million by 2050 and that by that year, Nigeria will be the third largest country in the world, bigger than the U.S. and next to only China which has 1.4 billion people and India’s 1.28 billion.
That is really scary. So, there is the need for urgent action by the government to forestall the fall-out of population explosion.
Expectations from the Committees on Justice, Rules and Business and Population that are directed to look into the motion
I don’t anticipate any negative report from the relevant committees that are expected to further look into this very important motion. This motion is about formulating a policy that will ensure adequate planning for our present population and generations unborn.
We will be falling short in the discharge of our duties as a government if an enabling environment is not created for this teeming population to strive as it affects employment, security, infrastructure and the economy at large to mention but a few.
You see, this is not just about me; it is about Nigerians that have been thrown into a situation of hopelessness by the 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) misrule. We now have a government that has the political will to translate masses-driven policies into action.
I am not against any religion but passionate about our future as a country, particularly as it affects the youths. We have seen this happen in developed countries and we cannot be left behind.
There is no doubt that the committees will handle this task with the sincerity of purpose putting the interest of the Nigerian people first. I have the support of my colleagues. The change mantra is in place and change Nigerians must have.
