The member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency in House of Representatives Hon Ginger Obinna
Onwusibe, has urged members of Abia chapter of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria,(OMPAN) to continue in their factual news reportage in order to put the government and political office holders on their toes.
Onwusibe, gave the advice and commendation while responding to a team of Abia OMPAN members who paid him a courtesy visit on Saturday in his home town, Amapu Ntigha, in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.
He also encouraged OMPAN members to maintain the culture of reporting events verbatim without fear or favour while playing the role of the watchdog of the society.
Hon advised OMPAN not to praise the government if they are not doing well because it will aid the government to derail in its administrative policies. He urged OMPAN to call the attention of the government to critical issues for proper guidance. He noted that Governor Alex Otti is working with imperfect people who may want to satisfy their selfish gain but believes that Governor Otti wants the best for Abians.
“Encourage the governor by letting him know the things he is doing that are not right, don’t play the role of praise singers , because you people are fact finders. He may not know everything, even we, he may not be doing everything completely right.” Hon Ginger advised.
Hon Ginger commended the transparency of the last OMPAN election which produced Promise Uzoma Okoro as the duly elected chairman of OMPAN.
“Let me Congratulate PUO on his election as Chairman of OMPAN Abia State and commend your association over the transparent and peaceful manner you conducted your election “
“That is why you still have peace in the organization, there’s nothing as better than transparency. The majority will always have their way and the minority will always have their say. If that election was rigged, you couldn’t have conveyed this number of people to this place today within the short notice “
He commended OMPAN so far for efforts which connotes putting the government and political officers on their toes through their activities and news reports.
“Each time you report what is happening in the state, we know the truth, when we are doing well, we know, when we are not doing well we also know.” Hon Ginger said.
Hon Ginger faulted the leadership style of the previous administration of the Peoples Democracy Party(PDP) due to the said over-confidence amongst the party members.
“We were also telling the then governor, this and this are what we are supposed to do to ensure that this project is realised. But some people who surrounded him felt that if you have PDP ticket, you have won.” Hon Ginger said.
Hon Ginger while narrating the rigorous process of his emergence as a member representing his constituency at the House of Representatives , applauded the leadership style of Governor Alex Otti and urged Abians to support the governor to ensure a better Abia as he is determined to foster synergy with the government of Governor Alex Otti for a better Abia.
“Today I’m in the National Assembly, Dr Alex Otti is the governor, politics and politicking has ended, what we are focused on now is governance. It is now our duty to ensure that our people, not PDP people, not Labour Party People, not APC people but the entire Abia people to benefit from this liberation or transformation. The point is that there must be a change from the status quo to a positive direction.” Hon. Ginger pointed out.
He landed the prompt payment of workers salary which he urged the previous government to do.
He also applauded the decision of governor Otti to stop the emergency employment of over 7,000 people by the previous administration during the campaign period.
“You cannot bring in 7,000 people when you know you have lost the election, who do you want to give the burden, why didn’t you employ them a long time ago?” Hon Ginger asked.
He envisaged that the government of Governor Alex Otti will do the needful on employment when there is need in due time.
He acknowledged the attention given to the welfare pensioners in the administration of Governor Alex Otti which he said cannot be compared with the previous administration due to the proactive measures the governor has put in place in order to put smiles on the faces of the retirees by paying their accumulated pension arrears.
Hon Ginger listed his achievements while in office as House of Assembly member in Abia state and while currently in the National Assembly such as infrastructural development project in sports, bursary awards, health care centers, markets, agricultural development training for some beneficiaries and solar street light.
He assured his constituents of his readiness to deliver quality representation to improve the welfare of his constituency.
In response to appreciation and advice from Hon Ginger, OMPAN Chairman, Promise Uzoma Okoro thanked the honorable member for his observation and advice while also emphasizing that as journalists and bloggers they are not a Stooge for any politicians or any political office holders or the government.
“Let me reiterate my message in recent times, OMPAN members are not stooge of Government or politicians in Power nor attack dogs of opposition politicians, we strongly believe in the journalism principle of neutrality and that is why we are fostering this relationship Accross boards”
The Abia OMPAN chairman also solicited for a better working relationship with Hon Ginger in projecting his programs for the people of his constituency in order to promote and contribute to good governance in his constituency and the state at large.
While responding to the question by OMPAN Chairman over the killing of one of his constituents Late Mr Richard Onumegbu, a civilian staff of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Nigerian Navy Base, Ojo, Lagos State who was beaten to De£th,Hon Ginger said he has moved a motion for it and the House of Representative will soon be on the matter in the Commitee of the whole.