Hon. Julius Pondi is a member, representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In this interview, he debunked insinuations that his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fuelled the leadership crisis in the green chambers, pointing that what played out was democracy in action. Hon. Pondi thus said after the tussle, the House has come out stronger better placed to proceed upon law making and oversight functions among other issues. Excerpts
What is your take on the resolution of the crisis in the Federal House of Representatives?
First of all, it is most heart-warming that the entire House has once more come together as one big happy family under the sterling leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuf and the principal officers of the House. I believe we now have a distinguished team in place and look forward to deliver the legislative agenda of the House for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
But your party, the PDP has been fingered as being chiefly responsible for the crisis?
Nothing can be further from the truth. What transpired in the House was just democracy in action.
Enviable experience
As a virile opposition led by the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, a legislator of impeccable competence and enviable experience, what was expected of the PDP is to play the role of a meaningful and steadfast opposition platform that must contribute its quota towards deepening democratic culture and entrenching high standards of legislative practice in the country. Ultimately this will benefit the entire nation as our democratic journey continues to unfold.
Has the crisis not robbed you of valuable time to deliver the agenda?
Not at all. While the crisis was of course lamentable, it is better that it occurred at the early stage of the life of this Eight Assembly than if it occurred at a later date. With the resolution we have achieved under Speaker Dogara’s leadership, we have now closed ranks and once again coalesced into one united House.
Having thus come out stronger, we are now better placed to proceed upon our law making and oversight functions with a higher level of unity of purpose and a stronger degree of synergy.
Our constituents who sent us here can be rest assured that they will certainly witness quality parliamentary service from the House of Representatives.
The Governor of your state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is alleged to be foisting an ethnic agenda in your state. Is that true?
That is not true at all and it is certainly not borne out by facts on ground. The appointments carried out so far by Governor Okowa favour Delta Central and Delta South more than Delta North.
In terms of projects the Governor has not in any way displayed favoritism towards Ika or Delta North in general. Sapele Market which he just approved payment for is in Central. Other projects are evenly spread across the state. More are on the way.
We must remember that the government is still young and facing the same financial challenges as other states and the federal government as well.
What I find to be truly impressive is the fact that the Governor has started spectacularly well and I remain very confident that it is a signpost of what to expect as he continues to implement his S.M.A.R.T Agenda for the good of the entire state. I can assure the good people of my constituency, Burutu Federal Constituency that they should be patient as the Okowa administration has a lot in store for them.
Federal attention
On my part, I pledge to partner with the state government for that purpose while additionally attracting greater federal attention to the constituency.
The Amnesty Programme has suffered certain setbacks of late owing to delay in appointing a coordinator. There have also been calls for the program to be scrapped. What is your take on recent controversies pertaining to the Amnesty?
I must first commend Mr. President for appointing Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd) to take charge of the program with immediate effect. General Boroh is eminently qualified for the role and we repose unreserved confidence in his ability to deliver.
Mr. President’s timely intervention in this regard has assuaged anxiety over the welfare and future of numerous ex-militants both within the country and presently studying abroad. We must not forget that by keying into the programme the ex-militants contributed their quota to the sustenance of peace in the region, a situation that led to astronomical rise in daily production of petroleum, the mainstay of the nation’s economy.
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