From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
The Senator representing Plateau Central, at the National Assembly from Plateau state, Sen. Hezekiah Dimka recently empowered 150 women and youth from the five local government areas of his senatorial district.
The two-day empowerment programme, according to Sen. Dimka is meant to enable unemployed youths and widows not to feel abandoned.
“The first phase of the empowerment is training and provision of grants for youth and women in livestock, potatoes and rice production in the central senatorial district. 30 constituents from each of the five LGAs (Kanam, Pankshin, Kanke, Mangu and Bokkos) would benefit from the training,” she said.
Sen. Dimka who is Chairman House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, in a recent press release issued in Jos, also explained plans to get rid of poverty and hard drugs.
Reacting to a purported re-call of his person by a faceless group on alleged distancing from his electorates, the lawmaker revealed that the said plans are not workable, because he has done a lot for the people, and lots more Is awaited.
“I have outlined series of constituency projects that would be executed in the days ahead.
“I have gone on to lobby for permanent and pensionable appointments to some youths with Federal government agencies, ministries and parastatals including higher institutions with a promise and strong will to do more.
“My main focus is the wholistic development of the people and I remain committed to making sure that all the projects domiciled in the governmental agencies are delivered as promised and these should serve as a yardstick upon which I shall be assessed at the end of my four year stay at the Red Chambers,” he reiterated.
He noted with regret thus: “I believe that no reasonable opposition/in-house enemies would see an achievement driven man as I remain unshaken, perhaps that explains the current wave of so called ‘activist’ restlessness.”
He however, acknowledged that electorates have the right to re-call any non performing legislator, but have no enough reason to re-call him (Dimka) he has lived above board.
“The provision of section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) which gives the people rights and powers to recall any validly elected Senator on grounds of poor performance and gross miss use of office. According to the group used to put to the fore the issues allegedly given to them by the initiators of the re-call agenda, refer to themselves as Plateau Central Youth Advocacy for Democracy and Good Governance (PLACEYADAGG).
“For the record, this group is non-existent until recently when one of my legislative aides resigned which left a lot of questions begging for answers that are obvious. This unholy mission is indeed divinely incubated and directed towards an end,” he maintained.
He advised people to channel and anchor issues that are developmental, rather than embark on criticizing people without basic facts
“Criticism must be constructive because where there is negative or no criticism; democracy will be at a loss,” he said.
Sen. Dimka had in 2020 budget facilitated the Bill for the upgrade of NDLEA Training Institute, Jos, Plateau State.