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National Assembly is no stooge of the Executive, says Wabara
From Willie Etim, Yenagoa
CONTRARY to the belief in some quarters, the National Assembly is not a stooge of the Executive arm of government, according to Senate President Adolphus Wabara.
The Senate President, who began a two-day official visit to Bayelsa State yesterday, told the State House of Assembly that sometimes the society clamour that the legislators lead a change and make a lot of noise. But he noted that such chaotic noise could only guarantee instability.
He said: "I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that we are no stooges nor rubber stamp Assembly. There is no Bill that has come from the Executive arm of government that has not been acted upon. No Bill comes in and gets back to the Executive as presented."
According to him, the legislators in the country are agents of stability and must eschew brinkmanship and unnecessary antagonism because the greatest mark of maturity and wisdom is not to use might merely because they have it.
Wabara stressed that their powers were already enshrined in the constitution and that as a parliament, they personified the will of people, which they must continue to guard jealously.
While praising the relationship between the state House of Assembly and the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha-led executive, he urged other states to emulate the good example.
He said that it was only when there was stability that there could be development as the absence of this factor could not guarantee democracy.
While lamenting the poor environmental situation in the state, Wabara noted: " I am aware that being a relatively new state in the federation and a major oil producer, you are faced with special challenges. We are mindful of these challenges not lest in the issue of environment."
He continued: "Let it be noted that the era was over when oil companies explored and exploited the resources of the land with impunity. From now onward, and without exception, such companies must take full measure for their action. If found culpable, they shall be made to pay full compensation."
According to him, the Senate is watching closely and warned that the days of whimsical environmental degradation is now over as the senators are already reviewing the situation with a view to making necessary amendment to stamp out the wanton destruction and degradation.
"A major step in this direction is the joint resolution of the National Assembly compelling Shell Petroleum Development Company to pay to Ijaw people the sum of N1.5 billion for their environment despoiled by oil exploration. We take the issue very seriously," he stated.
To him, poverty is a threat to democracy and that if the land and water of the people are polluted, the people cannot make a living and they will not be able to contribute to the development of the nation.
"The degradation as we have seen it leads to restiveness and ultimately a challenge to our society," the Senate President further stated.`
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