WHY SENATOR ID GYANG DESERVES A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE
BY AWENG AKIM & KAZI NANYAH
This article seeks to explore and juxtapose Senator I. D. Gyang as a man of unquestionable character and integrity, a man of purpose and a man of passion for his constituents, state and nation at large given the path he has chosen towards delivering quality and representative leadership to the good people of Plateau North with the hope to convince the average Plateau person that the people's senator deserves a second term in office as Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly.
Istifanus Dung Gyang (born 1964) is a Nigerian senator representing the good people of Plateau north senatorial district in the 9th assembly. ID Gyang as he is popularly called is one of the household names in the political and humanitarian firmament on the Plateau. A man of humble beginnings rose from a civil servant to permanent secretary before moving to the national assembly, his track record propelled him to the office he serves today. His performance, integrity, and professionalism in carrying out his legislative duties are admirable, it has been commended over time by his constituents, colleagues across different political extractions and other political stakeholders within and outside the state.
The man ID Gyang who has become a study and a wonder, to both admirers and non-admirers was elected based on the manifesto that captured 3 cardinal points and policies; Security, Reconciliation and Empowerment.
Before going into the analysis the reader must be reminded of the primary and secondary functions of a law-making body. The chief function of the Nigerian Senate or Senator is primarily law-making, correction of defects in-laws, approvals of judicial and federal appointments, control of public funds amongst other numerous functions and oversight functions.
One of the cardinal parameters put in place by pundits and political critics, to ascertain the performance of lawmakers is (i) the number of bills sponsored, (ii) constituency projects, (iii) oversight functions.
This article intends to analyse the performance of the Distinguished Senator using these parameters vis a vis his manifesto since resuming legislating in the 9th assembly.
Lawmaking
Senator ID Gyang has Eleven (11) bills to his credit which makes him the 3rd senator in the 9th assembly with the highest number of bills sponsored, two of these bills have received presidential assent already, are the National Fertilizer Production and Regulation Act and the Federal College of Laboratory Science Technology Jos establishment Act. His bills are pro-democracy and pro-people, these bills are mostly targeted at improving our laws and by extension, our lives, thereby strengthening and deepening democracy. The senator has also co-sponsored numerous bills and whoever doubts should surf the internet and get the facts for clarification.
This remarkable record by the senator makes it evident beyond reasonable doubt that he is committed, loyal, and competent for the job he has been mandated to do, which is why the people of Plateau north must as a matter of progress and development give him another nod to continue the good works he has started.
The Distinguished Senator is the deputy chairman senate committee on defence and a member of nine(9) other committees which offers him the opportunity to relate with the executive arm of government and also to ensure that funds are judiciously managed.
Security
The primary objective of every government is the protection of life and properties, and in doing so the three tiers of government have been tasked with responsibilities in seeing that this is achieved. However, the President and commander in chief have the final say.
In fulfilling his mandate Sen ID Gyang has not relented in his efforts of lobbying and speaking up for the improvement and tightening of security within his constituency and the nation at large. As the deputy chairman senate committee on army affairs, ID Gyang has used the advantage to lobby for more support from the military to address the situation ravaging the northern plateau zone. His regular visits to military formations in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Jos North and Bassa shows his unending efforts towards partnering with the military to put an end to this sad situation. He has also used his voice within the chambers to make calls to the president, and the army chiefs concerning the plight of his people, and in all of these efforts every reasonable mind will note the passion and commitment in his beacon and pleas. ID Gyang has been an activist for the devolution of powers from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List to empower states to better address the issues of security and development including the establishment of State Police.
Reconciliation
ID Gyang has opened his doors to all communities within the northern zone to change the narrative that all inclusion is limited. He has made contributions in the 6 LGA's of the zone according to their peculiar needs at the material time. The Senator has taken the initiative to facilitate and undertake the reconstruction of destroyed communities to resettle the IDPs in collaboration with the communities at Miango in Bassa LGA, Gana Ropp and Lobiring in B/Ladi LGA. Also the mini-housing estate projects he initiated at Jol in Riyom LGA and Rawuru in B/Ladi LGA with the support of developmental partners. The man IG Gyang overtime has displayed a high sense of responsibility and commitment in carrying out his duties and without a doubt, if given more time, he will reshape the political, developmental and economical landscape of Plateau north senatorial district and will have a ripple effect within the state at large.
He went a step further to demonstrate practically by organizing and hosting the first-ever Plateau north peace, unity and reconciliation football tournament that helped in bringing his constituents in 73 wards together. He has always been vocal about peace, as a peace ambassador himself, he has demonstrated leadership by example. He has also engaged directly with stakeholders and communities in a quest to reconcile different parties whilst fulfilling his manifesto promise.
Empowerment
Sen ID Gyang has adopted the pattern of not only giving his constituents fish but also teaching them how to catch it.
The Senator organized a one-day solar power training for over 400 constituents in his Senatorial district and supported them with N30,000 financial assistance each for all the participants of the training. He said at the event that he would not allow poverty and darkness to overwhelm the people he represents. He further explained that the training would be undertaken by the National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development Energy Commission of Nigeria to train the youths on repairs and maintenance of Solar Power light which is being installed to fight insecurity in rural communities.
He has also distributed Grinding and Sewing machines to 120 Women and other Constituents in Plateau North Senatorial District as a deliberate step to engage the women in meaningful and viable economic activity thereby expanding their capacity to generate household income.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Sen ID Gyang made provisions for palliatives which was distributed across the 6 LGAs he represents.
Also in June 2020, ten tricycles were distributed across 6 LGAs in Plateau north senatorial district to aid the movement of goods and services thereby enhancing economical activities.
As a man who believes in the youths and has a knowledge of agriculture and its importance to national development, Sen ID Gyang sponsored the training of 615 youths from 73 electoral wards in 6 LGAs of Plateau North Senatorial District on postseason farming and agro produce marketing skills. These skills he said will be useful to them and transform their mindset about commercial agriculture.
Just recently, about 511 widows and 609 students benefited from the empowerment programme of Sen ID Gyang.
The empowerment programme was all-inclusive as the 6 LGAs were captured in it.
The programme was held at Mees Palace, Rayfield in Jos where each widow got N20,000 while students got N10,000 respectively.
Speaking to Journalists on the motivation behind the programme, Sen ID Gyang noted that empowerment and assistance of constituents remain his topmost priority.
On why the choice of widows and students was prioritized, he made it known that “the assistance and empowerment of our constituents our major priority. This category is a special category. A widow is a special group knowing that our mother’s face and orphans following the demise of parents and the difficulties they face and the challenges of the students is what has prompted this intervention.
He has been involved in employment generation for his constituents in MDAs of the Federal government and recruitment into the Police, Armed Forces and Para Military Agencies. He has facilitated over 60 gainful employments in CBN, NNPC, National Hospital, Ministries and Departments.
In what could be termed continuous performance, the construction of two rural markets of over 90 shops each at Hoss and Ganawuri in Riyom LGA is one of the moves towards teaching his constituents how to catch fish in a conducive environment. Another rural market is to be built at Vwang Jos South LGA and has been captured in the 2021 budget that has just been signed by the President.
All of these gestures will have a positive effect on the lives of the beneficiaries and by extension boost the economy of the local and state governments, thereby increasing the internally generated revenue.
Without a doubt, there is room for more work to be done, which is why it is pertinent that Plateau North constituents across all political extractions mobilize and support Sen ID Gyang in the upcoming 2023 General Elections for another 4 years of trailblazing representation.
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