By Emeka Ahaneku
Since the
inception of democracy, which is a system of government based on popular
consent, the concept of probity and accountability have deeply been entrenched
in the minds of the people, who usually look forward with much expectations to
the activities of those whom they have given their mandate to govern or lead
them.
In a nutshell,
the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary clearly defines probity as the quality
of being honest, while accountability which is closely trailing it refers to
the act of being responsible for one’s decisions or actions which he/she is
expected to defend when asked.
Whenever these
two juxtaposed words come into play, it always results to different strokes for
different folks. Conversely, probity and accountability are sine-qua-non in the
smooth conduct of businesses of some people, organizations and most
importantly, the government.
To a typical
Nigerian, probity and accountability is the sacred toga a political office
holder or public servant should endeavor to wear in the discharge of his
duties. It is in this regards that most of our politicians and leaders seems to
have foreclosed such principle or see them as vexatious, perhaps, owing to
pressures from their immediate environments.
Nevertheless,
the positive roles of strict adherence to the principles of probity and
accountability can never be over-emphasized in our build up for a better
society, as they ensure the proper institutionalization of transparency and
trust which are mostly lacking, especially at the government circles, while
unhealthy rivalry and suspicion are greatly downplayed. It enables those in the
helm of affairs of leadership to bring in their best, because the offices they
occupy seem to be the cynosure of the public, just as open door policy becomes
their watchword.
There is no
denying the fact that at the insistence of probity and accountability, great
feats are achieved, as the people, like Oliver Twist, always wait in wings for
more outpouring of benefits which can never elude them. More so, when our
societies imbibe these principles, it is highly expected that incidences of
corruption, which is mostly touted to have eaten deep into the fabrics of our
national life, would be drastically reduced to the barest minimum.
Observance of
probity and accountability rekindles confidence of the people in the art of
governance, while leadership authority is rewarded with legitimacy. It is
unarguable that when this is done, stability and concentration with less
distraction would definitely shore-up the developmental blueprint of the
government for the maximal benefit of the electorates.
Against these
backgrounds however, overtime, Nigerians and indeed, other African countries,
have suffered greatly in the hands of their entrusted leaderships at different
levels by their supposed “Messiahs, while retardation seems to have plagued
downward the developmental strategy of the region to a standstill.
Corruption which
is largely seen as the log in the will of progress of the people, assumes a
magnificent status, while their perpetrators parade themselves as demigods to
the utter determent of the common wealth of the people who are always short
changed in the scheme of things.
In a
seeming bid to write the wrongs of the past and upturn the old order, the
current Imo State House of Assembly, at its inception in June 2011, unanimously
pledged their total commitment and selfless services in line with democratic
best practices, which is clearly subsumed in the principles of probity and
accountability.
In keeping with
the exigency of the Rescue Mission Philosophy which shored –up their emergence,
distinguished members of the Assembly vowed to expunge the old political mantra
of ‘business as usual’ against any vested interest which runs in contravention
to the collective interests of the good people of Imo State.
To
achieve this, the House as a family, relegated political party ideological
differences, as well as, personal interests to the background, in pursuit of
interests that would benefits Imolites across board and give them a sense of
belonging in the present day Nigeria – were it seems things has fallen apart
for the people of south east geo-political zone.
Part of these sacrifices however; saw the Rt. Hon Benjamin
Uwajumogu’s led House of Assembly forfeiting parts of its security votes and
other supposed entitlements which everyone who is abreast of happenings in
government of Imo State knows that it runs in millions of naira monthly.
All this, the House under the leadership of Rt. Hon.
Benjamin Uwajumogu, gave up to assist the rescue mission government of His
Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha to sustain its human capital development
programme for the children and youths, through the provision of free, quality
and compulsory education and its incentives such as, school uniforms, sandals,
books among others at all levels of education in the state.
However, one important thing Imolites must not lose sight
of, is the undeniable benefits manifest in the passage of enabling and life
changing laws and motions totaling over 200 in 3 years and the House oversight
functions on the activities of the executive arm of government that provided
the needed check and balance from a proactive legislature, necessary for the
efficient, effective and economic management of the financial resources
appropriated by a state legislature, hence monitoring the discharge of
executive responsibilities in relation to the collection, custody
and disbursement of public funds entrusted into their care. This is concerned
with probity and accountability on which emphasis are being laid on this piece.
These
developments coupled with the sincere intentions of the executive arm to
develop the state necessitated the massive infrastructural development projects
scattered all over the nooks and crannies of the state.
It
is however on this premise that the Uwajumogu led House in demonstration of its
resolve to be accountable to the Imo state electorate became the first set of
lawmakers since the Nigerian democratic experience in the state to enact a
legislation making education free up to tertiary level while attracting and taking
delivery of at least fifteen (15) kilometers of asphalted road, one new school
for each electoral ward, a new general hospital plus their constituency
projects in their different constituencies under three years.
It
is in furtherance of the probity and accountability philosophy of the Uwajumogu
led House in the State, that the Speaker Rt.Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu , set up the
committee on road projects and other special committees, engaged in the tour of
the 27 local government areas of the State to ascertain the level of work done
by the executive.
It is
also on record that the House of Assembly holds the ace in the propagation and
implementation of transparency, fairness, Accountability and probity in the
discharge of its constitutional duties, as recently confirmed by the Speaker,
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, during the visit of the Management of Imo State
Polytechnic, Umuagwo, in his office.
The
Speaker declared before the prying eyes of the media men, thus, “this is the
only House of Assembly which had undertaken its duties conscientiously. We have
dutifully conducted our oversight functions without fear or favour, while we
have never compromised standards, nor collected any kobo in the screening and
confirmation of political appointees as well as, unlawful inducements, in the
passage of bills”.
From the
above scenario however, it is heartwarming to declare that the Imo State House
of Assembly, clearly sets the pace in the strict compliance to the principles
of probity and accountability. Moreover, having adopted the open-door policy
mechanism in the conduct of its businesses, the House of has ensured that every
Kobo expended in its day-to-day activities is properly accounted for in the
public limelight.
In view
of this, the effectiveness of this policy trust which has overwhelmingly
recorded monumental dividends could be felt in the ultra-modern and refurbished
state Assembly complex, which has undergone reconstruction and rehabilitation
with the state-of-the-arts facilities by the rescue administration of Owelle
Rochas Okorocha – the first of its kind since its construction by the Late
Chief Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian Governor of Imo State.
Another
important milestone this policy has created is the process of ensuring that
constituency Allowances do not as usual find its way to the pockets of
Honorable members, rather goes through a transparent process for judicious
utilization in providing social services to the people.
Another
good aspect of the Uwajumogu’s system of leadership that is rooted in
accountability and probity is that it affords the legislative arm the boldness
to maintain its independence from other arms of government as prescribed by the
Nigerian constitution while at the same time allows collaboration among them.
Using the
Imo House of Assembly as a case study, while it is true that the executive arm
led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha fashion education and massive infrastructural
agenda for the state, it is not odd to observe joint efforts by the legislature
in the state and the executive arm to tackle issues of similar interest which
was demonstrated in the passage of the Imo State House of Assembly free
education bill and the for years development budget that tied every kobo
appropriated for infrastructural development to projects. However, for purposes
financial extortions and political convenience, it is not strange in our
democratic setting, at times, to see the legislative arm deliberately working
against the executive, even when the executive has good intentions for the
state and because it is often clotted in deceit, it results to avoidable
disputes and if not well managed chaos.
While I
try to point out the disadvantages in the war-war approach to
legislative-executive relationship, let us Put some of the issues raised in
proper perspectives, first, the avoidable fight between the executive and the
legislative is an evidence of the scruffy way crucial state matters are handled
in this nation, ordinarily, based on the new thinking which the Imo State House
of Assembly led by Rt.Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu led House has already keyed into,
the legislature will opt for a peaceful resolution of crisis by interfacing
with the leadership of the executive in the interest of peace to achieve the
desired result for the electorate.
This is
because, prior to the inception of the current House, it is widely believed
that Imo state has been through so much, in terms of instability, for the
Uwajumogu led House, it is unwise for them to tow that part which could lead to
further confusion. Two striking things about Imo State, for three years now, is
the relative peace, calmness and massive infrastructural development going on
in the state, compared to some other states where commotion and fear reigns
supreme because of politically induced crises between the executive and the
legislature, Imo state residents currently enjoy relative peace which is
crucial for the sustainability of the achievements so far recoded by the
administration.
Considering the
confrontational or war-war stance promoted by those who are opposed to the
win-win posture of the Uwajumogu’s led House, it is difficult to believe that
their real intention was to spur the House to action by urging it to adopt a
combative approach towards the executive that is constitutionally empowered to
manage, keep and spend the state resources, this gives them away, as it is
being alleged in some quarters, as selling a politically motivated
dummy put in place to destabilize the state.
Imo being a
state that is just recovering from the shackles of misrule and wasteful style
governance, tempering with its peace could be liken to an ill wind that would
do no one any good. Consequently, to develop the state, the state Assembly has
to be committed to positive collaboration according to the principals of
separation of power with the executive, because a peaceful and prosperous Imo
state would certainly enhance the prosperity, unity and progress of Imolites.
Therefore, ’’as two arms of one body’’ there should be no need for rivalry or
war-war posture between them as canvassed by the opposition.
This noble
philosophy has rejuvenated the dying trust of the people in the process of
governance, while lawmakers now see themselves as partners and key agents of positive
development in their different areas.
With this
posture, that took real statesmanship, patriotism, tolerance, mutual respect
accountability and probity to achieve, democracy dividends are set to get to
the door steps of the electorates, while representatives of the people are
expected to sustain the current trend which the present Imo State House of
Assembly had achieved after all, to an average Imolite, the ultimate desire is
good governance. Happy birthday Mr. Speaker.
(Ahaneku
can be reached through: 08038812641)
