10th Senate: Senator Abba Moro’s impactful representation in one year, by Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John

It’s exactly one year today (13th June, 2024), that the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Patrick Moro, PhD, got inaugurated for a second term on the floor of the Senate. His swearing-in was as a result of his overwhelming victory at the polls on February 25, 2023.

Most second term public office holders who excelled in their first term always start their second term smoothly. Those who performed excellently well in their first term tend to continue on that path in their second term. Those who developed effective human capital programmes in their first term demonstrate quality leadership in their second term, focusing on the wellbeing of their people. Senator Moro falls into that category of public office holders.

In the first year of his second term, the senator has maintained the momentum of his first term and has elevated his performance to a level that many describe as exceptional and outstanding.

Despite the little hitches on his path at the early days of his renewed mandate, orchestrated by the needless legal actions instituted against his re-election by his opponents, the senator continued with his legislative activities and oversight functions with renewed zeal and determination.

With the legal hurdle finally dismantled on 1st November, 2023, Senator Moro committed his whole self into serving his people and Nigeria at large. His humanitarian gestures have continued uninterruptedly. The last one year has seen him touching many more lives in Benue South. His constituency projects are visibly seen in so many communities and he’s standing out on the floor of the senate as one of the most outspoken, eloquent and vibrant senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The last one year has been very memorable and interesting for Senator Moro. One of his highest points was his elevation to the post of the Senate Minority Leader. He assumed that noble position on November 21, 2023, having secured a unanimous endorsement of all the minority senators, and has been leading them seamlessly since then with members always passing votes of confidence on him.

As Minority Leader, Senator Moro has been playing the roles of the opposition satisfactorily, without being unnecessarily antagonistic and aggressive towards the leadership of the senate. He’s bringing to bear his leadership acumen by playing the role of opposition when necessary and cooperating with the leadership of the senate on issues that matter to Nigerians.

While standing so tall and audible in the senate sponsoring bills, motions and making clear and concise contributions to debates, Senator Moro’s presence in the home-front is felt everywhere with his legacy projects. The following projects have been initiated by the senator in the last one year;

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION

In his bid to electrify as many communities in Benue South as possible, Senator Moro completed the electrification of Ofoke/Ojope Community in Apa LGA; Electrification of Ipom community in Otukpo LGA; Is electrifying Adupi-Orokam Community in Ogbadibo LGA; Purchased and installed transformers in Usha in Agatu LGA; Odugbo in Apa LGA; Otada in Otukpo LGA; Ipolo-Icho in Otukpo LGA; Old Branch-Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA; Iwewe in Okpokwu LGA, Ichakwu also in Okpokwu LGA; And Ijegwu in Obi LGA. He also procured and installed solar street lights in various parts of the senatorial district.

ROADS AND BRIDGES

In the last one year, Senator Moro has intervened in the rehabilitation/construction of the following roads and bridges; Odiapa road in Obi LGA; Grading/lateriting of Otakini/Ekpon/Ogore-Ito rural road in Oju/Obi LGAs; Construction of Oru bridge in Oju LGA; Construction of erosion control/drainage system at Obu Branch in Ogbadibo LGA; Construction of River Ogbadibo bridge in Olachagbaha-Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA; Construction of Alheri street and ongoing rehabilitation of Ojira road, all in Otukpo LGA.

WATER

In his efforts to provide water for his constituents, Senator Moro initiated the ongoing rehabilitation of PCI Water Works in Okpoga in Okpokwu LGA; Provision of boreholes in Ikache in Oju LGA, and Ad’Obi’s palace in Obi LGA.

HEALTHCARE CENTERS

Within the year in view, Senator Moro completed the Primary Healthcare Centres in Awume in Ohimini LGA, and Adenu in Oju LGA. He also completed the community clinic at Agadagba, in Ohimini LGA.

Other projects embarked upon by the Senate Minority Leader in the last one year include; The renovation of Police Area Command in Otukpo LGA; Completion and furnishing of a mini library at Okete Community Secondary School, Otukpo-Icho in Otukpo LGA; And the recent procurement and distribution of 18 mini buses to NULGE and NUT officials in Zone C.

The senator also organized capacity building/training program on customer service for frontline staff of selected hospitals in Benue South.

On his legislative activities, Senator Moro has sponsored the following bills, motions and petition on the floor of the senate in the last one year;

1. Power Rotation Bill (Passed First Reading).
2. Local Government Financial And Administrative Autonomy Bill (Passed First Reading).
3. North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill (Passed Second Reading).
4. Federal College of Agricultural Technology, Opialu-Ojapo Establishment Bill (Passed Second Reading).
5. Motion on unprovoked attacks on Benue South communities by armed men.
6. Motion on affront on democratic structures in Benue State local government system.
7. Motion on the armed robbery attack on Otukpo.
8. Motion for the recall of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi from suspension.
9. Petition on unlawful retirement of a constituent from the Nigerian Customs Service.

Senator Moro is not lacking in any area. In his desire to alleviate the sufferings of his constituents, the senator has given out food items and cash worth millions of naira to constituents during festive seasons and those in IDP camps in the last one year. This is in addition to his consistent identification with his constituents in their low and high moments.

Senator Moro’s one year in his second term is convincingly successful and outstanding. He remains a leading light and a politician to be referenced at all times.

As the journey to his second year begins, the good people of Benue South should expect more quality representation that will translate into more remarkable legislative activities and legacy projects for them. With the implementation of the 2024 budget commencing soon, Benue South will witness more roads, more healthcare centers, more school buildings, more boreholes, more rural electrification, more youth empowerment programs, and many more things that will awe many.

Senator Moro is in the senate to serve, not for any personal gain!

Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John is the Media Adviser to Senator (Dr) Abba Patrick Moro