BEVERLY HILLS, May 16, (THEWILL) – Comrade Richard Gbande, a lawmaker representing Katsina-Ala / Ukum and Logo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, is a tested union leader who rose through the ranks to become thwe National Vice Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees in Benue State. He was elected to the Nation Assembly after two attempts in 2019.
A well grounded politician, Gbande went to the National Assembly with a clear-cut agenda on what he intends to do for his people, a conviction he left no one in doubt as he canvassed for the position.
Since was sworn-in in June 2019, Comrade Gbande has continued to impact on the lives of his constituents both on the floor of the Green Chambers and in reaching out to them towards alleviating their day-to-day problems.
It is on record that upon getting to Abuja, Gbande initiated a motion for the rehabilitation of the Katsina-Ala Bridge which had become a dead trap at the time. The motion that was agreed and adopted by the house, which directed that the bridge be rehabilitated.
It remains to Gbande’s credit that the Federal Government acted swiftly by awarding a contract for the rehabilitation of the bridge. Work on the bridge, according to findings, is nearing completion.
Still in the milestone of his legislative acumen, the lawmaker has also sponsored and co -sponsored other motions that were subsequently passed into law by the National Assembly.
Given the high-level insecurity in his constituency (Sankera), Gbande never stood aloof as he brought the issue on the floor of the National Assembly with a view to drawing attention to the insecurity in the constituency, whose economic mainstay (agriculture) has been shattered by the activities of local militias.
Only recently, Gbande briefed his constituents as demanded of every responsive lawmaker. The event took place at the Government Technical school Zaki-Biam and it was graced by a large number of people, most of who expressed joy over his decision to come back to appreciate them over their magnanimity towards him throughout his political outings.
Presenting his score card, Gbande mentioned the construction of a classroom block with a VIP toilet at Tongov Community Secondary School, Amaafu in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area; the construction of three classroom blocks with VIP toilets at RCM Primary School, Zaki-Biam in Ukum Local Government Area; the construction of a 500- capacity examination hall and a VIP toilet at Tombo Community Secondary School, Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area; as well as the construction of six classroom blocks and a VIP toilet at Ngenev Community Secondary School, Sankera, also in Ukum Local Government Area.
The lawmaker further disclosed that he had extended rural electrification from Tse-Dugwer-Gbagir at 90 percent completion, including the installation of 500KVA transformers. A further extension of rural electrification from Gbagir to Afia Gbeji is about to commence in the 2021 Budget.
Other projects, according to him, include 10 hand-pump boreholes at various communities across the constituency, such as Tse-Akaanger, Agu Centre, and Tse-Nderi Mbakoor near Gbor Tongov in Katsina-Ala LGA; Tse-Amatso (Ugondo), Jootar Tswarev, Agena, Akpuuna II and Tse-Kwaghbo in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas, respectively.
On agriculture, Gbande said he distributed a truck load of 600 bags of NPK and Urea fertilizer to farmers in order to boost their agricultural activities for consumption and commercial purposes.
The former chair of Benue State chapter of the NULGE has also empowered 150 women with cash grants to the tune of N3 million, distributed over 310 sewing machines to women and the Department of VTE at the College of Education, Katsina-Ala. He also provided welfare packages to youths and the less privileged in Sankera Federal Constituency.
Gbande claimed he was also able to facilitate financial grants to the tune of N15 million to his constituents. He distributed truck loads of grains and confectioneries as palliatives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that he facilitated the employment of six constituents in some federal agencies, in addition to lobbying for the restoration of suppressed polling units across Sankera Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission before the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
During the briefing, the lawmaker announced an annual scholarship of N250, 000 each to five undergraduate students to be paid annually throughout their studies. He also ensured that 400 students of tertiary institutions in his constituency benefitted from the Dr Richard Gbande’s Scholarship Scheme, which covers the 35 council wards of the constituency. He noted that disbursement of bursaries to the students had already commenced on April 30, 2021.
Gbande has to his credit 10 bills/motions/petitions, some of which includes the Federal University of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State Establishment Bill 2019 HB. 539. The bill seeks to upgrade the College of Education, Katsia-Ala to university status.
Other contributions of the lawmaker on the floor of the House include the Abattoir Regulation and Meat Inspection Bill 2019 HB 540. This is a bill seeking to regulate and control the consumption of meat in Nigeria. The second contribution is the Federal College of Education Technical Establishment Bill 2020, which was co-sponsored with Hon. John Dyegh of the Gboko Tarka Constituency. Also there is the National Tuber Crops Research Institute, Zaki-Bam, Benue State Establishment Bill 2020 HB.1131. The bill seeks to conduct research on tuber crops for the purpose of enhancing their growth so that the nation will be self-sufficient in food production.
Gbande also claimed that he moved a motion for the urgent rehabilitation of River Katsina-Ala Bridge and the Yandev-Ugbema-Zaki Biam-Wukari Road in 2019. The bridge is almost completed at the moment.
Other motions include the investigation of the Nigeria Port Authority’s alleged involvement in the non-remittance of N8 Trillion in the Federation Account and the rehabilitation of the Katsina Ala-Tordonga-Harga-Gawa-Takum Road, to be captured in the 2022 Budget, among others.
Speakers at the event include Senator Gabriel Suswam; Chairman of Ukum LGA, Stevie Ayua; and the Chief Whip of the Benue State House of Assembly, Thomas Mlamga. Traditional rulers and other guests all applauded the lawmaker for having achieved so much within a short time at the National Assembly.
THEWILL observed that the constituency briefing was preceded by a peace meeting which addressed the security concerns in the area.
