By Mike Makpah
When a man believes in standing on the path of truth, equity, and justice, his uncommon qualities propel him to wade through the rough paths of life’s journey and shine like the sun.
Hon. Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei, the member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, was inaugurated on the 13th of June, 2023, into the 10th National Assembly.
His inauguration followed his victory in the supplementary election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, the 15th of April, 2023.
The supplementary election was necessitated by the inconclusiveness of the February 25th, 2023 election conducted by INEC, which saw the cancellation of 27 polling units in a few wards of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Challenges
Life is a journey filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joys, celebrations, and special moments that ultimately lead us to our destination and purpose.
The road will not always be smooth. In fact, throughout our travels, we will encounter many challenges.
Ambaiowei is likened to the biblical David, who defended the people of Israel in the face of daunting challenges, especially when intimidated by Goliath, the giant from Philistine, who boasted of defying the God and people of Israel in battle.
As a rare and unique personality, he stood out and led his party to victory in the 2023 general election in Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency.
On the 16th of April, 2023, he was declared the winner after the conclusion of the supplementary election, polling a total of 13,992 votes against his close contender, the APC candidate, who polled 12,992 votes.
Some of the challenges Ambaiowei faced include:
– Five litigations: One pre-election matter at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, and four post-election matters filed at the Bayelsa State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Yenagoa.
– One of the political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), pursued appeals twice in the Abuja and Lagos Divisions of the Court of Appeal, respectively.
The court proceedings concluded approximately nine months after the declaration (16th April 2023 to 21st December 2023).
Where others see leadership as taking authority and contending with leaders and government, Ambaiowei views leadership from the perspective of broadening his horizon and collaborative base, working hard, bridging communication gaps, being open-minded, ready to learn, and listening to government and stakeholders to achieve the best results.
Successes
Sponsored Motions
– The need to tackle the menace of incessant boat/watercraft mishaps on our coastlines and waterways (20th July, 2023).
– The urgent need to contain oil spills from offshore facilities around Southern Ijaw coastal communities to forestall environmental damage (31st January, 2024).
– The urgent need to complete the Amassoma community shoreline protection project (20th February, 2024).
**Sponsored Bills (27th February, 2024)**
– The establishment of the Federal College of Education, Oporoma.
– The establishment of the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Amassoma.
– The establishment of the Federal College of Health and Sciences, Enewari.
Empowerment
– Distributed 700 bags of rice and cash palliatives to constituents during the 2023 Christmas and New Year celebrations.
– Procured over 200 JAMB forms for students in the constituency (22nd January, 2024).
– Written over 40 recommendation letters for his constituents to secure employment, obtain foreign scholarships, and facilitate redeployment and transfer of service.
– Provided financial support for marriages, dedications of children in churches, burial ceremonies, and transport fare for some constituents, especially those stranded in Abuja.
Offices
– Apart from the head office in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, he has established an operational constituency office in Oporoma, located behind the Governor’s Lodge.
– He has also created an accessible liaison office for constituents in Yenagoa, opposite the Association of Chipping Dealers of Nigeria, Yenezue-Epie, by the Express.
Oversight functions and other duties
He has performed over 45 oversight functions both nationally and internationally, is regular in House Committee meetings, and is consistent in plenary sessions, contributing significantly to debates.
Ambaiowei is a man with his people’s interests at heart. Maya Angelou said, “People may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
In his one year in the Nigerian House of Representatives, he has made a positive impact despite the daunting challenges in the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State.
This astute member of parliament will undoubtedly continue to be an indispensable asset to the good people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
