Bomadi Legislative Arm, Critical Stakeholders Laud Dagidi on Renovation of High Court Premises, Others
Criticisms, threat on LG Intervention in High Court projects:
*We're part and parcel of ongoing projects—Bomadi legislature
*Renovation of Bomadi court premises, a welcome devt—Barr Police
*A step in the right direction—IPDI
*Our area left undeveloped for these reasons—Barr Opukiri
BOMADI—The Bomadi Legislative Assembly, activists and lawyers have reacted to Barr Fun-Ororo Enarebor, a critic of the ongoing projects embarked upon by the executive chairman of Bomadi local government area of Delta State, Hon. Andaye Rawlings Dagidi, describing his position as inimical to the progress of the deserted judiciary in Bomadi.
Recall that Barr Enarebor, Monday, posted on Facebook, among other criticisms described the award of contract on the access road leading to the State High Court, renovation of the court room and building of the judge's residence to enable judges reside in Bomadi, as unauthorized projects/award of contracts without legislative approval and non-adherence to the 2024 budget of the council.
He described execution of the projects as misappropriation of funds by the council chairman and threatened that it would be resisted by any means necessary.
However, reactions from the public through an opinion poll on the subject matter, carried out by the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the council chairman, coordinated by Chancel Bomadi Sunday, speakers deduced cynical disposition on the part of the critic, as well as describing the move of council as developmental steps in the right direction.
*We're part and parcel of the decision—Hon. Tamadoubra, Leader of BLA
The leader of the Bomadi Legislative Assembly, Hon. Wurukeseye Taramadoubra, in his reaction, said: "First and foremost, the Bomadi Legislative Assembly is part and parcel of those projects. The chairman of council told us and presented his decision to intervene in these projects which we wholeheartedly consented to their execution.
"So, what that man is posting on Facebook is not from us because the Bomadi Legislature is a partner in the development and progress of Bomadi local government area and her people. Let him be doing his nonsensical business, we can never be associated with somebody like that. To cut a long story short, the Bomadi Legislature is part and parcel of the ongoing projects at the State High Court"
I pulled my shoes to walk into the Bomadi courtroom—Barr Police
A legal practitioner, Barr Pere Police, reacting from Yenagoa over the ongoing projects at the judiciary High Court premises in Bomadi, said: "Those projects are welcome development to all lawyers, the people of Bomadi and Burutu local government areas. This is what we expected a long time a go and I'm appalled this young man came up with this idea of attending to our pains as lawyers.
"There is nothing wrong in the chairman of council intervening in the execution of these projects. Though, it's something the judiciary ought to have done, in my opinion the local government council can write to the judiciary for claims after completion of these projects, if they wish to.
"The last time I went to that court to handle a case, I had to pull my pair of shoes to walk into the court room. This is to tell you the level of dilapidation of the court premises.
"If it was an individual that started the access road project and the council chairman in his wisdom decided to award a contract on the project, then this chairman is God-sent to the people of Bomadi local government area.
"To hell with whoever criticizing this laudable effort, which is for our own comfort, or is that person alright? It's a wonderful effort on the part of the council chairman and it will make judges to reside in Bomadi to dispense justice.
"So, we are happy with the council chairman and it is only God that will bless this young council chairman".
An activist and president of the Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, in his reaction said: "No councillor in the legislative arm of a local government has the right to approve projects intermittently. What they do is to look at all the projects in the yearly budget and approve what they want to approve and their power ends there.
"If projects embarked upon by the council chairman are not captured in the yearly budget, it's the chairman that knows how he would raise the money to fund the projects.
"So, what the lawyer is saying is completely out of sense because the council chairman will not approach the councillors every time to approve projects, it's now on the council chairman to raise funds for such projects.
"However, he should be applauded by the people of Bomadi local government area because these are laudable projects, they are the people to benefit the projects".
Our Area left undeveloped for these reasons—Barr Opukiri
Moreover, a lawyer, Barr E.U. Opukiri, also reacting said: "The attack on the council chairman's intervention on these projects is the level of stupidity in some of our people. They criticize every good thing and that's why some good-spirited people who intend to help are hesitant.
"First, this news is a welcome development and let the young man continue with his good job because Fun-Ororo cannot stop that bold step he has taken. He should continue so our court can relocate from Ughelli to Bomadi.
"Now, litigants are suffering so much by traveling to Ughelli, imagine the distance, risks and everything involved. You see, people gave the Okuama crisis as an excuse that there is trouble in Ijaw land and for that flimsy excuse, the court was transferred to Ughelli, though no judge was kidnapped in Bomadi.
"So, we as lawyers applaud the young man for intervening to save the judiciary in Bomadi local government area. What does Fun-Ororo know in Ijaw land, or is it only by speaking English Language without morals, character and understanding?
"In fact, I will present this issue in the Ijaw Lawyers' Forum because I see no reason why he should challenge the execution of these projects in his own area.
"I don't know why some of our people lack understanding in this 21st century when everybody, when everywhere is progressing leaving them behind. I call on the council chairman to be strong and continue his good job".