This writeup is In response to an article, titled “Hon. Shina Peller: When Will the Magic Wand become visible?” written by one Ayobami Adesanmi.
By Kola Popoola
Honestly, I feel the article was written not to attack the person of Hon. Shina Peller in order to score a political point, and this is why I feel it is worth responding to.
For clarification purpose, I will like to highlight some of the points I was able to deduce from the article as written by Ayobami Adesanmi.
1. He acknowledged the fact that Hon. Shina Peller had executed some community projects even before being elected by his people as their representative at the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Some of the projects include: the construction of hostel for Oyo NYSC at its Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin; provision of 16 boreholes to the four local governments in the constituency to lessen the hardship lack of potable water has subjected the people to; construction of Science Laboratory and Modern Library for a public secondary school in the constituency; free healthcare progamme where about two hundred people with one form of eye impairment or another were beneficiaries, amongst others. Mr. Ayobami, you will agree with me that this should remain a commendable action as no politician has ever done that in the political history of the constituency.
2. That electorates are usually denied the right and opportunity to engage with their elective representatives thereby making the politicians not accountable to the electorates. In contrast, in less than 3 months in office, Hon. Shina Peller proved otherwise by organising the first ever Town Hall/Feedback Meeting in the political history of Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency. At that meeting, he gave account of his stewardship so far and also gave the constituents the opportunity to ask him questions on his legislative activities so far, whilst he answered them one by one. This is accountability, and you will agree with me that it is worth commending as the feedback meeting remains the first of its kind.
Apart from the feedback meeting, he regularly goes back to his constituency at least once in a month, engaging with stakeholders, youth and community leaders, women representatives and local governments representatives. It is not even up to a month that he was at home.
3. The writer made it clear enough that Hon. Shina Peller’s primary constituted obligation is to make laws and sponsor bills, and he also acknowledged the fact that he (the writer) has heard of the bills being sponsored by him (Hon. Peller). But Ayobami Adesanmi wants him to do more in terms of contributing handsomely to the constituency, though he has been doing this and I’m sure he will continue to. Not less than 10 students in the constituency are presently on his scholarship scheme which gulps a whole lot of money but he isn’t complaining. This is just to mention one.
4. The writer acknowledged the fact that Hon. Shina Peller is just about spending one year in office, whilst he reminded the Iseyin-born federal legislator that there are no capital projects from him that can be pointed to. However, please note that capital projects are executed by the executive through constituency allowances. Provision for the constituency allowances are done yearly, and since he assumed office, constituency allowances have not been disbursed to the appropriate agencies except the one done previously during the tenure of his predecessor.
5. He (Ayobami Adesanmi) advised Hon Peller to check his campaign promises record and work towards fulfilling them as he still has enough time to make things right. I’m sure he’ll take this in good light.
Having noted all these, for record purpose, listed below are some of the activities of Hon. Shina Peller in less than a year in office:
Motion on ecological degradation was moved by Hon. Shina Peller after the incident of erosion that claimed two lives in Okeho on the 22nd of June, 2019 which will attract results from the ecological funds in 2020 budget implementation.
2. A petition was raised and submitted on the dilapidated roads of Iseyin/Oyo and Okeho/Iganna road. This is complemented by complementary underground work, which will attract result in definitely 2021 budget.
3. A motion was also moved on sexual offences. This has subsequently prompted the federal government to launch first ever National Sexual Offence Register in the country.
4. A bill was also sponsored by him seeking amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act 2004. The bill was presented by him on 13th of February, 2020, and it has passed through first reading.
5. In his quest to address the poor state of Primary Health Care service across the country, particularly at the grassroot, which is characterised by lack of healthcare facilities and inadequate manpower, Hon. Shina Peller moved a motion on the floor of the House praying that the House investigate the utilization of Basic Health Care Provision Fund made available by the federal government. The House granted his prayer and passed it on to the appropriate committee for investigation and further legislative actions.
6. Scholarship to some students from the constituency.
7. Holding of the first ever town hall/feedback meeting in the history of the constituency.
8. Provision of empowerment facilities such as sewing machines, grinding machines, a popcorn machine, deep freezers, electric sprayers for farming, and ICT equipment worth over 20M naira to his constituents.
9. Provision of business funds to his constituents as startup capital for small scale businesses.
10. Sponsorship of constituents on car wrap training
11. Hajj and Jerusalem sponsorship, amongst others.
Well done, and thank you so much, dear Ayobami Adesanmi for your article. Thank you all for reading.
Kola Popoola is the Press Secretary to Hon Shina Peller.
