The motion, sponsored by a member, representing Egor/Ikpoba okha federal constituency at the House of Representatives Abuja, Mr. E.J. Agbonayinma, hit the rock when the method of presentation provided loopholes for rejection by members last week.
“The lawmaker’s failure to consult widely and properly, deprived him of being well guided to draft a proper Motion, (though), ” though his efforts are commendable,” West-Idahosa said in his reaction to the rejection in Benin recently.
He recalled that the Gelegele port project had been listed as an item in the Federal Budget of the country way back as a constituency project for Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State in 2008 or so.
“This was done through the Ministry of Niger Delta.”
He argued that the contract for the feasibility studies was awarded under President Yaradua when Chief Ogiadomhe was chief of staff to the president.
“The contractor was partly paid….(hence ) …Gelegele port is not new to the national budget.”
According to him, E.J’s motion should have been for the reactivation of the Gelegele port project which was abandoned and for funds to be re-appropriated for the continuation of the project.
“It would have been easier to push that Motion with supporting documents and facts from national records,” he noted.
West-Idahosa said it was tactically wrong to ask for the concession of the port to Edo State Government when port development and control are not items under the concurrent legislative list contained in the Constitution of Nigeria.
“The said port does not need to be concessioned to Edo State Government to have the required economic impact on the State, if well operated.
“In any case, where the FGN decides to concession a port, it is not by resolutions of the House but through the laid down legal processes prescribed by establishment instruments and guidelines of the Bureau For Public Enterprises (BPE).”
He was led into error by the zeal to serve, Idahosa noted, adding: “a good effort, but Nigeria is advancing in matters of State and so is its Parliament.
“They are now more adept in legislative practice. A lawmaker who decides to approach the House with any sort of Motion must get his technique right, while armed with supporting facts. For the rejected motion on Gelegele port development, tomorrow is another day.”
