Melaye urges legislatures to always stand on the side of the people
Posted by Jenson Okereke on October 27th 2009
Hon. Dino Melaye, Member, House of Reps
In the House of Representatives, the name Dino Melaye is synonymous with openness and frankness, especially when it comes to issues bearing directly on the welfare of the Nigerian masses.
Therefore, for Hon. Dino Melaye, member, House of Representatives (representing Kabba/Bunu and Ijumu constituency), sponsoring of bills at the National Assembly should not just be done for the sake of it or to gain cheap publicity, but must be ‘people oriented.’ Fundamentally, a focused legislator must be concerned with the plight of the masses, as a guide to determine the nature of bills to originate.
Melaye is of the view that since a legislature is riding on the back of the popular votes of the masses to be in the National Assembly, it makes sense that whatever he does must be anchored on the wishes of the people. According to him, “I’m always on the side of the people, because they are the reason why we‘re here in the National Assembly. Therefore, if there’s any policy that is not really protecting the people, such policy is inimical and runs counter to the aspiration of the good people of Nigeria. That is why when I moved the motion on the dismantling of the Abuja speed brakes, I made sure I ended my presentation by calling and indeed, appealing to the conscience and emotions of the honourable members to please stand on the side of the suffering masses of Nigeria and give support to the motion. Of course, you naturally find out that progressive people all over the world always support good ideas and you saw that the hon. members did not disappoint me as they overwhelmingly supported the motion” he enunciated.
A check on all the bills Melaye had moved is basically targeted at improving the well-being of the people. Amongst some of these bills include: the establishment of a Heart Disease Centre, which currently is non-existent in Nigeria, while Ghana has two of such hospital and employing some Nigerian finest doctors; reduction of frequent medical trips abroad by government officials; bill mandating public servants to send their wards to public schools; bill against high accommodation rents in Abuja; and bill against gas flaring.
