Emil Inyang is a two-term Chairman of Biase LGA in Cross River State. He also has, over a considerable period of time, served as Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS. With sights firmly set on representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he recently had a short conversation with the Editorial Lead, www.calitown.com, IWARA IWARA, on his ambition and related issues. Excerpts:
It is on record that you have been Chairman of Biase LGA and now you have set your sights on representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, how best suited are you for this role?
I was Chairman of Biase LGA for two terms and it is on record that I did well. How? Hardly can you visit any community in Biase up till date, that you won’t find my administrative footprints there. Let me avoid trumpeting my modest contributions to elevating governance in my LGA, maybe if you go to the field and dig deeper, you will understand and appreciate the contributions I made during my eventful six-year period as council chairman in Biase LGA. Let me not belabour this, the records are there and can be verified.
Considering the domestic dynamics of your federal constituency, what practical steps will be embraced in the legislations you pursue, for transferable impact at home?
The needs of the people of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency are very clear for all to see. But let me be specific with you; my people need rural infrastructure, especially accessibility to farms, markets and then the very important interconnectivity to other parts of the state and country. I am very specific on this because if you visit, not a handful, but several places in this federal constituency, you will understand that the living conditions of my people redefine suffering. It is so bad that even the massive agricultural produce that we can beat our chest about, rot in our hands because we are unable to bring them out to needy markets. I am already driven to to pursue legislation that can bring back rural development drivers like the rested Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure, DFRRI, of the Babangida administration. Please do some findings and see the impact DFRRI, had in opening up rural roads and granting people there, access to urban areas.
Often, those elected as first timers from CRS to the National Assembly, fly the vain excuse that they need the first tenure of four years to understand the workings of the National Assembly and subtly demand a second term of four years to “effectively represent” the people. What are your thoughts on this anomaly?
I have challenged myself already that in countable months, my people should begin to see my impact. I don’t know those who have in the past made this excuse that you refer to. I also don’t subscribe to it and would not expend energy on such a conclusion because it is defeatist.
If you win and go to the House of Reps, how soon can your people and critical stakeholders begin to look at your scorecard?
I am focused on going to the National Assembly to do my bit and God willing the bidding of my people. Matter of factly, the results should be available, with specifics, six months down the road.
Please comment on the issues around the indiscriminate mining of precious stones currently tearing some communities in Akamkpa and Biase.
The indiscriminate as well as unregulated mining going on in those communities is very unfortunate. Indeed mining on the land in our local communities is something that should have been a blessing to our communities, but as I speak now, the case is reversed. I say so because this activity has come with negative implications for local security, the local environment and several other very strong negative implications. I am pained that there’s a complete exploitation of the people, on a massive scale, by miners who in most cases are just interested in the money that can be made, without embracing any form of corporate social responsibility to our people. Even our children in those communities are dropping out of school in pursuit of deceptive wealth. What is happening there and the negative consequences, completely stand at variance with the time tested values that have long stood our people out. Government we pray, must come in and regulate this activity(s). Yes mining is on the Exclusive List in our constitution, but the consequences that have become negatively exclusive to my people must be deliberately challenged for positive outcomes. We are happy that investors have come to our communities but very unhappy that their coming has gravely unsettled us.
You should be concerned about the recent spate of kidnappings on a portion of the road running through your constituency. Have you, as a community leader, been able to trigger useful community engagement that can complement the security efforts of government?
The security situation right from Okom-Ita to Adim is worrisome. The recent one is the ugly situation out of Uyanga. Well, in all sincerity, I have interfaced with the chiefs and traditional institutions in Uyanga, Okom-Ita, Ojoh and other neighbouring communities. It is my opinion that what is happening there is driven by local people, who may have injected into their ranks, a few unscrupulous persons, hardened by constant exposure to criminality and unleashing mayhem at will. However, if the real owners of the land team up with security agents and forcefully insist that these elements cannot have bases in their local communities, a lot I believe will change.
