The member representing Asari-Toru Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. (Dr) George Ipalibo has pledged to render effective representation to his people and appealed for their support and prayers at all times.
He stated this in a chat with newsmen in his office over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He also promised a vibrant and functional House and not being complacent on what used to be as according to him, “the dividends of democracy is being functional and contributing to move the system to greater heights as a focused leader. “We will tackle issues as they come in accordance with laid down rules”, he stated.
According to him, “Apart from contributing in making good legislations for the state that would positively impact on my people, I will not forget to execute constituency projects in line with my peoples priority needs as well as attending to my oversight function in the hallowed chambers.”
Hon. Ipalibo equally informed that he is already working on how to clear their environment of criminality by taking census of the idle youths in order to identify their areas of specialization for the literate ones with a view to reorienting them through talk shows and seminars.
“Thereafter, he said, we shall be able to know those who have the qualifications for employment with the companies operating in our area while others would be considered for scholarship scheme or skill acquisition for eventual empowerment for self-reliance”, he declared.
Dr. Ipalibo who is one of the lawmakers elected under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) made it clear that he is focused on delivering his campaign promises of Health and Empowerment to his people.
On the just concluded general election in the state, Hon. (Dr) Ipalibo totally condemned the process of the election especially the introduction of violence and militarization of the election, stressing that it was indeed a national disgrace.
“The South-Africans who just elected their leaders peacefully without rancor shamed our country through their peaceful conduct”, he noted.
He however, made it known that when President Muhamadu Buhari eventually signed the Electoral Amendment Bill into law, most of the anormally will be taken care of, adding that election is supposed to united the people and not the type of division and killings witnessed at the last election.
He also supported the rumour that is still in the pipeline where INEC will conduct the federal elections, while RSIEC takes care of that of the state elections in order to diffuse some of the identified tension.
On the Local Government Autonomy granted, Hon (Dr) Ipalibo said it is a welcome development as it will enable the council chairmen embark on meaningful infrastructural development and social amenities needed by their people to complement the effort of the Governor.
“What is needed is cooperation and collaboration with the state government”, he declared.
On who checks their excess, the Asalga I Lawmaker said it is the oversight function of the councillors at the council chambers to perform. He also said the development will showcase some leadership qualities in some of the chairmen.
On the scourge of insecurity in the land, especially cultism and kidnapping, Hon. Ipalibo said it is a phase which will come and go as according to him, “Governor Wike is doing everything possible to tackle the menace.
He however did not believe that cultism is as a result of poverty. “I believe it is foolishness that drives youths to join cultism because even the children of the rich also join the group”.
He is also of the view that the environment of violence, killings and thuggery during elections kind of feeds cultism and create tension in the land, adding that election is not supposed to be a do-or-die affair. He used the opportunity to call on Rivers youths to turn away from those negative tendencies that would ultimately waste their lives and bring sorrow to their parents.
