Hon. Mansur Manu Soro represents Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal constituency of Bauchi state in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. He was Special Adviser on social interventions to former Governor M.A Abubakar before winning elections to the House of Reps in 2019. The thirty-three year old who is well-known for executing several capital projects from his own pocket has reiterated the National Assembly’s call on the President to sack the Service. He chats with Daybreak Newspapers Deputy Editor Iyke Obi Durumba..
Ques: You’ve been in the House of Reps as a first termer for slightly over one year now, what has been your experience?
MMS: Coming from the executive to serve as a lawmaker is entirely a new experience to me. I find the legislative process in the last one year as very slow. It seems COVID-19 pandemic has successfully hampered our efforts and reduce the productivity of 9th National Assembly.
Ques: In your relatively short time in governance, you’re known for delivering capital projects in your constituency which otherwise the Executive should do.
MMS: Constitutionally, the executive is under obligation to ensure the general welfare of Nigerians but the existing gaps in provision of basic amenities and the passion I have for my people compelled me to sacrifice my personal entitlement as legislator to provide for my constituents. Earlier 2020, the world bank declared that only 25% of population in the North East zone have access to basic amenities.
I have completed the revitalization of 104 hand pump boreholes. Constructed 1-km long reticulation solar powered water system each in Sade, Darazo, Miya, Kafin Madaki and Soro with a fetching point at intervals of every 100metres.
Construction of pediatric hospitals in 4 districts of my constituency: Gabarin, Sade, Miya and Soro have reached different stages of completion. We hope to commission them later this year, Insha Allah and provide ambulances that will connect the hospitals to our 22 wards in Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal constituency.
My objective is to complement the efforts of the executive to reduce to the barest minimum the cases of maternal and child mortality in my constituency. UNICEF indices released in 2018 indicated that 11,455 newborns babies are dying annually in Bauchi state. We’re working to introduce a model that will ensure the effective management of the facilities through a community driven approach based on innovative finance mechanism. We ll work with state government to deploy personnel and where necessary, the community will hire to bridge gap.
We have implemented so many other projects to improve livelihoods of our people particularly women because I owe my allegiance to women of Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal constituency for standing by my candidature.
Next year we will insha Allah move to Education sector to set up science based secondary schools for the gifted in Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal constituency.
Ques: What is your motivation for these?
MMS: Right from secondary school days I have undiluted passion for provision of basic amenities for the use of generality of the people. I love that passionately. If I were to rely on constituencyZIP project, it will take me 22 years to facilitate the construction of school or hospital in all the 22 wards of my constituency– in a situation where I have only 4 years.
I believe you know how the constituency/ZIP projects operate in the National Assembly?
It’s a system where all states are awarded equal allocation irrespective of its size or population. N1.7bn per state for both Senators and House members. The more the number of NASS members the less you get in ZIP allocation. Members from Yobe or Bayelsa has more allocation for instance than members from Kano or Lagos.
So in Bauchi our allocation is N200m and N96m for Senators and House members respectively. Mind you it’s not cash rather to privilege to nominate a project relevant to your constituency which will be domiciled and executed by federal MDA. In the 2020 fiscal year and couple of years before now the sum of N100bn was appropriated however the allocation for principal officers of both chambers is not the same with ordinary members.
There’s difference between budgetary allocation and funds release or execution in Nigeria. Over the last 6 years budget performance hovers around 50-60% so in our case in Bauchi we normally end up with 50% performance which translates to release of N45m for project implementation
Ques: What is your opinion on the insecurity currently ravaging the North West, Southern Kaduna and also the long-running Boko Haram insurgency? Do you think the FG is doing enough to curb it?
MMS: Let me borrow the words of social theorist Max Weber who said that the monopoly of the use of legitimate force in any given territory is the most distinguishing characteristics of a state. Today the government is losing that monopoly to non state actors which is both discouraging and frustrating.
I believe its still not too late for the FG to review its strategies and approach in prosecuting the war against terrorists and other crimes. State Governors in the North have a duty to rise up to this challenge and proffer solution. They have all the resources needed to end banditry and ensure security to lives and property. Bauchi state government ended banditry in my constituency between 2016-2018 using mere Fulani vigilantes. It’s all about commitment of the Governors.
The worsening insecurity levels in the North has a strong correlation with endemic poverty at the grassroots caused by total collapse of local government administration in the country.
Ques: Do you still hold the view that the President should sack the service chiefs?
MMS: I stand by the resolution of both chambers requesting the President to sack the Service Chiefs. They have seemingly overstayed their welcome. The voice of the parliament is the voice of the Republic. Nigerians have spoken through their representatives, the executive should listen to the voice of reason. However the Airforce is doing a wonderful job of bombarding criminals hideouts.
Ques: Your party lost the state governorship, how strong is the APC in Bauchi today?
MMS: With 3 Senators, 8 Rep members, 20 state assembly members I can say without fear of contradiction that APC is the strongest political party in Bauchi State. It’s sad that we lost Governor seat but come 2023 we will insha Allah reclaim it. There’s no doubt that former Speaker Dogara’s return to APC will strengthen the party both at the State and the centre. He’s coming back to our fold with a great deal of experience politically that can add value. We welcome him back to where he rightly belongs.
