Christian Jonathan ( NASS).A front line Federal Lawmaker in the 10th Federal House of Representatives who said his vision and mission in politics is all about service delivery and provision of dividends of democracy to his Constituents in particular and Nigeria at large, Hon. Prince Henry Odianosken Okojie, has applauded president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the provision of Palliatives that are distributed a across States.
Hon. Okojie who is representing the good people of Esan North East/Easan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State at the national assembly, dropped this hint exclusively to First magazine online in his national assembly office today.
According to him, The President has taken a pragmatic step to cushion the effects of subsidy removal but was quick to observe that, the greatest challenge is the role of State governors in ensuring that the exercise is fairly distributed and the palliatives reached the targeted population, the poorest in the society, he cautioned. He also disclosed to the the public that, the Legislature as an institution is keenly watching how the State governors are going to implement the exercise with the aim of ensuring that justice is done for the purpose it was intended for by The President.
He further assured Nigerians that efforts are speedily being taken by the Tinubu administration to bring stability in the petroleum sector with a view of reducing the fuel hike currently being experienced in the country. He also revealed to that the Minister of Petroleum Ministry and his team have paid an inspection visit on the Port-harcourt refinery with the focus of making it functional by December, this year. Adding that, by the time the House is back from recess and his Committee is fully constituted, they will immediately embark on an overnight to the Port-harcourt refinery and other refineries; with the aim of fast tracking work on the moribund refineries so that Nigerians will have enough domestic supply of petroleum products. With this steps, he says, will reduce fuel hikes and cushion the hardship Nigerians are going through. The Strong Man of Edo State also justifies why he emerged as the Chairman,House Committee on petroleum Mid Stream, given his first appearance in the House of Representatives. In his words “
One thing about life is that, a person like me has found myself in this position to be; it’s not because I’m the smartest. God just likes to elevate me, but I am here especially to work for my people. I’ve been in this Business of politics for quite a number of times, and my interest in the business is to elevate my people and to reduce their sufferings. So I found myself in the national assembly to help my people and it has always been about my people. Everybody have their own different reasons for being in politics, but mine is to see how I can reduce the sufferings of my people; that is my roll call. And to the best of my ability, I’ve been doing that alone without political might; having had the opportunity to be in the position, mine is to see how I can futher do more for my people and I can do that without any apologies.
“Well, let me first of all, thank the government for the initiative to come up with palliatives to reduce the suffering of the people. No matter how rich you are, the issue of the subsidy removal has dealt with almost everybody in the society. Like I said, I’m happy that the government came up with palliatives. You see, most of the problems that we have, are the State Governors. Like I saw and read that, the palliatives are going to go through all the States accordingly. So, I hope that they’re able to distribute it to the right people. There are people who actually need the palliatives, the vulnerable people, the people that are downtrodden. They’re the ones that really need it. I’m hoping that with the level of transparency this government has embarked on, I am sure that there will be some level of transparency in the distribution of the palliatives. I want to believe that it would get to the right people.
“One thing about Committee is, sometimes when you look at the backgrounds of Members, like I’ve been a business man, I’ve caught short in the areas of oil and gas.I have vast experience and vast knowledge in the area of Oil and Gas sector.I’m a business person. I do different businesses.So, based on my wealth of experience in the area of Oil and Gas sector. I believe that it’s what informed the Leadership to appoint me as the Chairman of the Petroleum Mid Stream Committee.
” Well, I am the Chiarman of the House Committee on petroleum Mid Stream, and by the special grace of God, one of my oversight function will be the area of refineries; and I am happy that The President said some weeks ago that, he was going to revive some refineries especially, the one in Port-harcourt; which would be ready by December, this year. And the new Ministers that were sworn in went Port-harcourt, having examined and inspected the Facilities, they also re-affirmed that the refinery would be ready in December,2023. By the time we resume in September this year, myself and members of my Committee will also need to take a visit to those refineries, to see the level of work and to reassure Nigerans that as soon as our refineries start to work, the issue of fuel hike would be normalized and would be further reduced. The reason why we are having issues of fuel hike is because, we are not producing. So, the moment we start refining our petroleum products, you’ll see the price would reduce ,”he assured.
The Vibrant Federal Lawmaker, while responding to question on how prepared is his party, the APC in the forth coming gubernatorial election in Edo State, expressed optimism that victory is certain. “I am a stake holder in that election and I can tell you for sure that we’re fully prepared. I’ve contested election before under my party, and we’ve won. And my other friends also contested under our party and they won. So, winning election for us, the APC, is not a big issue. So, I’m hopeful that my party will come out in flying colours in 2024 election in Edo State,”he stressed.
Hon. Okojie who is the husband of a renowned Nigerian Actress, Mrs Mercy Johnson Okojie has advised the youths that want to climb to the top of the political ladder or any position in life that, they should be prayerful, humble, committed, focused, consistent, patient, honest and resilience inorder to attract their destiny helpers for them to succeed in their life ambitions.”
There is something that has helped me, persistency and commitment. I’ve been very consistent and persistent in everything that I do. In my family life, I am consistent. In my business life, I am consistent. Whatever I do, I try to be very transparent, and that alone has helped me, endeered me into good people who have picked me from no where and try to support me in everything that I do. So, I want to advise my young people, just remain focus and be prayerful; and whatever you find yourself doing, do it well so that you will have value to the people that want to help you,” he advised.
