Politicians have been advised to be patient while navigating the political landscape, and avoid jumping from pillar to post when they perceive that their desires are not met. Because greed, pride and impatience have destroyed most of them.
The Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Agiriye Monima Harry, admonished politicians when members of the Inter Party Advisory Committee, IPAC, Degema Chapter, paid a courtesy visit on November 4, at the Council Secretariat in Degema.
He said it is high time for youths to see politics as a hubby and not a job, to enable things work better. “We have done politics until our youths don’t want to do anything.”
Harry said youths are becoming willing tools in the hands of some politicians who “use and dump them with scars all over their bodies.”
“Without any form of self development, youths waste their future and eventually become useless to themselves and society,” he opined.
He urged IPAC members to inculcate the habit of self development and engage in productive ventures, because “this politics is misleading us. Have your own hussle”.
On the issue of working closely with members of IPAC, Harry said: For those that were candidates, we said they will be compensated that has not changed.”
The members of IPAC, had visited the Council Chairman to congratulate him on his victory at the polls, present a proposal for the execution of a signature project, inclusion of their members in political appointments and provision of an IPAC office.
In response to their requests, Harry, said an office space for IPAC Degema is doable, but pointed to the fact that his administration has a three level strategy comprising short, medium and long-term.
He frowned at instances where projects are embarked upon without proper feasibility study leading to cases in Court due to financial liabilities and defaults on the part of some previous Council Chairmen.
He sighted the construction of the Tonye Harry Stadium, that currently has a pending legal battle.
Members of IPAC Degema Chapter had earlier suggested the construction of Chief Rex Lawson College of Arts. An institution where diploma certificates could be issued to youths in areas such as Music, and every form of theater and performing arts.
The Chairman however stressed that his outlook on education is more holistic and people oriented, rather than embarking on a wild goose chase.
He said; ” You are right, maybe l am not the everyday politcian. But l think in the ways of things that will benefit people, easy and early, instead of looking for things that will bear my name, it is the long haul l am looking at.
“We need to define things in short, medium and long term. Three years is maximum term. So, don’t go and put something that is for long term.
“Number two, is you look in certain directions. Let’s take education for example, what can you do there practically? Some people will go and buy exercise books, meanwhile there are no teachers. Some people will pay for extra curricular, meanwhile there are no classes.
“So, you have to look at things from a holistic and practical point of view. And you have to also look at the number of people that will benefit from what you want to do.
“And the first thing that comes to my mind is very simple. I think there is NECO exams coming soon. Next year there is JAMB and school Cert. What if we take all our people that have failed before and those that are due for the exams and match them together to do a special training for them. Preparing them for the exams.
“I am sure that a lot of parents would be happy that that kind of thing is happening. And if we are lucky, we would at least get an increase in the pass rate, even if it is 20%, we have tried.
“Now, there is the Junior Secondary School, JSS, and the Primary schools. Assuming we are able to take over, that now takes care of the midterm project. If these guys are good enough, at doing the extra classes for them to pass WASSCE. So, as you are doing one, you are also commencing the other. That takes care of education.
” At least one school per community should be standard enough. It will not bear your name when you are gone, but at least you can slap your chest and say, Yes!, l did it.”
Harry hampered on providing electricity for every community and water for remote communities like Ke, before the yuletide season.
Hon. Dickson Youngman, the party chairman of APC in Degema, led other LGA Chairmen from 17 political parties on the visit.
Those on the entourage are: Ven. John Yellowe – SDP, Benibo Gogo-Abite – NCP,
Harry Solomon- YPP,
Tonye Fubara – ZLP, Gilpiri Okesiyesinma- Labour Party, Deinabobo M. Augustus – YP, Frimanijibo George – ADC, Tamunobubelem Harry – APM, Hon. Tonye Dauphin – Accord, Igbanibo Onengibia – Boot, Pastor Ezekiel Samuel- ADP, Harry Soberekon – LP, Owupele Benson – AA, Snr Comrd. Kings Daibibo – APGA, Emmanuel Osia Johnbull – NRM, Agnes S. Major – PRP, and Mirilla Ibiso – NNPP.
Gloria Boma Harry,
Chief Press Secretary,
Degema Local Government Area.
