Six years of Alimikhena in the Senate: Less active in chamber, appreciable in projects.

By DADA AYOKHAI

The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Francis Alimikhena recently clocked 6 years in office .

Six years down the lane, his constituent,  Edo North people, are more interested in taking stock to see if the soldier- turned politician they elected to serve as their mouthpiece in the Senate has lived up to expectations or not. 

Rather than hold a press conference to tell  the stories about the  bills and motions bearing his marks in the 8th and 9th Senate, he chose uncommon ways to let his actions speak volumes for him through commissioning of projects.

Among the many projects the senator commissioned in a space of days include a block of three classrooms at Ihievbe; a block of two classrooms at Ayogwiri; a Dialysis Centre at the General Hospital, Auchi and a classroom block at Uneme Eruru in Akoko Edo local government area.

 Much as some watchers of Edo North  politics appreciate the modest contributions made by the distinguished senator in the infrastructural development in the district, they are also, however, quick to point out that he (Alimikhena) must keep his eyes on the ball so as not to lose focus of his core responsibility - law making

This is, of course, the accepted benchmark for measuring the performance or otherwise of a lawmaker. The Edo North senator has since joined the ranks of those who think that a lawmaker's performance truly lies in the number of projects he is able to attract and build. 

As a result, some people have labelled him as a "sleeping giant" whose voice is either muffled or not heard at all, while debates are ongoing on the floor of the Senate. 

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As a proof, the growing clan of sceptics refer to the fact that out of the  seven bills he has so far co- sponsored, only one, that is, the bill to upgrade the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, into a city university, has direct relevance to Edo North. 

The Edo North people or better put the Afenmai  would be happy seeing senator speaking
their minds on burning issues i.e insecurity, deplorable condition of Auchi_ Benin highway especially at  Okpella end ,etc

As damning as this verdict may be, it is pertinent to once again remind lawmakers that the core business of legislation is "talking". The chamber is basically a place for to robust debates and discussions leading to a situation where lawmakers enact laws as well as robustly push for the advancements of the varied interests of those they represent.

The general verdict about the performance of Senator Francis Alimikhena, the senator representing  Edo North in the Senate is neither here nor there.

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