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Senator Ireti Kingibe, a lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory senatorial district, has said she will continue to lobby for more senatorial slots to be allocated to the nation’s capital.
She described her position as a female senator in a male-dominated National Assembly as tough.
Kingibe stated that she had recently discovered some disparities in the areas of palliatives and projects allocated to each constituency.
The lawmaker spoke at a town hall meeting in Abuja held in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies to discuss ‘Female Legislators Constituency Outreach.’
She said, “I would like to say that going into the second year, I am more conversant with the way things work in government. I’m better at acquiring resources in the National Assembly. Now I have more time to interface with my community. I must say I came to the FCT with a lot of goodwill.
“Just like other senators, I received two trailers of fertiliser, which I distributed. I am also lobbying to see how I can get more for the FCT because I feel it is unfair that other states, which have two to three senators, received two trailers each. What this means is that some states each received six trailers of fertiliser, whereas the FCT, which has a single senator, is left with just two trailers.
“I am hoping that this disparity will be addressed somehow. The minister is very amenable to supporting the FCT, and I hope that something will happen soon.”
However, she expressed optimism that with the right support and cooperation from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, they would eventually get it right.
She further said, “I ran for office because I want to give back to society. But I must say, it’s been extremely difficult. I have been a senator for just one year and a half, and it has not been easy. To begin with, the FCT is unique. It is not like every other state that has three senators. The FCT has only one.
“Other states have governors, but the president is the de facto president and governor of the FCT. However, because we don’t have direct access to him, a minister was appointed to administer the area on his behalf. I am meant to be the voice of the people, the interface between you and the executive administrator of this place.
“It is true that I have not been able to visit all of you across town. I have to lobby for the things you need in other ways. I am lobbying ministers and others. Lobbying takes a lot of work and time. But I thank God I have been able to achieve some progress, and come 2025, I expect to do more.”
