The newly sworn-in Kogi East senator, Isaac Alfa, on Wednesday said he would sponsor a bill for the federal government to recognise Kogi as an oil-producing state.
Oil-producing states in Nigeria are states rich in oil and from where the federal government derives crude oil.
After several legal battles, Mr Alfa was finally sworn in by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, last week but the new senator only has two months to function as a lawmaker.
Addressing journalists after plenary on Wednesday, the former Chief of Air Staff listed bills he would sponsor if time permits.
“(I) don’t know if I can achieve anything for my people in two months, even though I had bills and motions in the pipeline before I left. But even if I can’t push in anything again, I would like to draw the plight of Kogi East to the attention of the Federal Government.
“There is so much for the Federal Government to benefit from. I am baffled that extraction of oil had not commenced in Odolu axis of Kogi East when the capped oil wells there is even greater than Anambra and Ibaji put together.
“The other sore point is the delay in the completion of the Green Refinery at Itobe which was inaugurated at the same time with that of Lagos. Lagos has stated operating I am told but that of Itobe is not progressing. Hopefully, I will get the Senate President’s cooperation to bring this up.”
Specifically, he wants the government to construct bridges to link Idah- Agenebode, and Lokoja-Shintaku, both in Kogi state.
“My argument is that if River Thames has 290 bridges over it with at least eight major crossings in London alone. There is nothing wrong with the whole country having 20 bridges over Rivers Benue and Niger. The more we have, the better, safer,” he said.
On his return to the Senate, Mr Alfa thanked the Senate leadership for upholding justice, noting that his insistence to return was borne out of his desire to serve his people.
“The other day, someone asked me why I wasn’t sworn in much earlier despite my numerous court judgments. And I answered him that even if Senator Saraki had wanted to swear me in before now, he couldn’t have done it because God hadn’t given him the go ahead. I believe in pre-determination.
Jamilu Abdurrahman
Good
Obe Adedolapo
Hmmm