Otukpo: Ben Idah marks 100 days in office, lists notable achievements

Hon. Idah Ben Okopi, the Councillor representing Ewulo Ward at the Otukpo Local Government Legislative Assembly has list some notable and remarkable achievements to mark his 100 days in office.

Hon. Idah in a statement on Wednesday October 7th said, “One hundred (100) days ago, I was sworn-in as the lawmaker representing the good people of Ewulo Ward at the Otukpo legislative Council. I thank God almighty, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the wonderful people of my Ward (Ewulo) for giving me this rare opportunity and mandate to serve in this capacity.

“Today I wish to roll out some of my strides as a representative of the people and also to reassure and reiterate my commitment to speak and effectively represents my constituents.

Below are some notable steps taken so far:

*On June 29th, 2020 and day of my inauguration into office, I was nominated and elected as the Chief Whip of the House unopposed.

*On 30th June, 2020, I made a vabal case for the construction of a mini brigde (Culvet) between Otobi-Akpegede and Ojantele communities during our plenary.

The motive behind the call is to create an infrastructure that will enable our brothers and sisters in Ojantele to access other parts of Ewulo and Otukpo town without going through far away Obi local government due to the deplorable state of the route that links Ojantele to Otukpo town through Otobi-Akpegede community.

I was asked to make it official via a proper proposal by the Clark of the House. As God will have it, while writing the proposal, I received a call from my Chairman, Hon. George Alli through his secretary, Hon. Oyaje Egwa asking me to pin point any project in my constituency that should be added in the LG budget, I happily submitted the mini bridge project to him first, while others follow. I pray and hope for the approval of the project in due time.

*Distribution of the Covid-19 palliatives from SEMA and CA-COVID through my local Government Chairman, Hon. George Alli.

After taking delivery of food items from the Collision Against Covid (CA-COVID) and The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). I went from village to village to make sure the items gets to the poorest of the poor myself. Me and my team kicked started the distribution first, from Ojantele then to Otobi-Akpegede, Akpegede, Asa 3, Asa 2, Igbanonmaje, Ikobi, Edikwu, Otada and concluded the process in Upu respectively.

*Distribution of the 30 National Direct of Employment (NDE) and Federal Government 1000 jobs slots given to me by the State Committee led by Hon. Bernard Ochepa.

After receiving the 30 forms, I met with relevant stakeholders across the Ward regardless of political affiliation or association. First, we gave one form each at random to at least, one unemployed youth from every village in Ewulo. We gave another 10 opportunity to the stakeholders to nominate another set of unemployed people, including orphans, widows, physically challenged individuals across the Ward again.

Finally, gave the remaining 10 slots to the Ward leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) amongst others.

*Unlike before, All opportunities given to me so far to reach out or empower people in my constituency is been carried out without fear or favour, my mode of operation is apolitical and void of religious sentiments. This is because I undertatnd that I represent not just the members of the PDP but everyone in Ewulo at this level. I also understand that the ‘winner takes all’ style of politics will only take our communities backward.

*Sponsoring Otukpo Local Government Environmental Sanitation Bye-law 2020.

As living beings, we all understand that the need to keep our environment clean can never be over emphasized. In a bid to rid Otukpo which happens to be the Headquarter of the Idoma Nation of all dirts and filts which has taken over everywhere in recent times, I understand that our people need to live in a healthy environment, so I proposed an Environmental Sanitation Bye-law which was recently passed by the legislative House and accented to by the Chairman of the Local Government without delay.

The law stipulates that all owners or occupiers of both movable and immovable properties must maintain and keep their surroundings clean at all times or face prosecution. We have to obtain an approval from the State judiciary to set up a mobile court that will punish offenders.

*Empowerment: For a start, I have given out at least, a few number of mobile phones to my constituents, a motorcycle worth three hundred thousand naira (N300, 000) at a subsidized rate of 66.7 percent.

I also had the opportunity to receive and present another motorcycle worth nothing less than three hundred thousand (N300, 000) to another of my constituent identified as Mr Augustine from Otada who happens to be a father of a 13-year-old rape victim, Ene Courtesy of Hon. Oche Joseph Godwin of G12 Foundation Club.

*I have never missed a sitting (Plenary) since my inauguration on June 29th, 2020. I have participated in all major sanitation exercise in Otukpo local Government since then.

*More of these and many more are yet to come now that our town, State, country and the world at large is resuming activities for months after the sudden and ravaging outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic that led to a global Lockdown.

*With me, I believe things can only get better and better.

*My phone lines and social media handles are open for advise, ideas and constructive criticism at all times.

*I pray that God Almighty continue to guide me and the rest of my colleague in discharging our duties. Amen.