Borno lawmaker, Dr. Usman Midala Balami
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The member House of Representatives (Askira -Uba/Hawul) federal constituency of Borno state, Hon. Dr. Usman Midala Balami has debunked reports trending in online media and some social media blocs that youths of his constituency have passed a vote of no confidence on him.
The lone federal lawmaker elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and first-timer at the lower chamber of the national assembly said, ordinarily, he had wanted not to respond to the misinformed and politically motivated write up against his person, but it it imperative to set the record straight for the interest of the public, especially his electorates and teaming supporters.
Addressing journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday, Hon. Balami described the reports as baseless, unfounded and incorrect as portrayed by the armchair Journalist and his co- sponsors.
He pointed out that, in the last two years, he has been keeping in touch with his constituents by visiting them almost on quarterly basis, where he initiated a town hall meeting that provides an opportunity for him and his people engage with one another in moving Askira-Uba/Hawul for better.
On the claims that each House of Representatives member received N1 billion every year for constituency projects, but he failed to do so, Balami said, such claims are not true, noting that “only the sum of N300 million project was allocated in the last year budget cycle of 2024, which have been judiciously and transparently utilized.
“The N1 billion project allocated this year, is yet to commence implementation, since this proposal just got initiated in 2025 budget year, and is yet to see the light of the day”. The Lawmaker stated
Continuing he said: “I read in some blocs and one online platform that youths in my constituency have passed a vote of no confidence in my leadership, initially I had wanted not to respond, but it is imperative for me to do so.
“Firstly, the said report(s) was misinformed and a politically motivated write up against my person. In fact, I described the reports as baseless, unfounded and incorrect as portrayed by the armchair Journalist and his co- sponsors.
“It is disheartening that the armchair online reporter claimed that each House of Representatives member received N1 billion every year for constituency projects, such claims are not true, because only the sum of N300 million project was allocated to each member, including myself in 2024 year budget cycle, which have been judiciously and transparently utilized.
“It will interest you to know that this is my first time as House of Representatives member elected on the platform of our great party, PDP, and in the last two years, we have make some remarkable progress which can be seen in the education, health, agriculture and other sectors including empowerment initiatives which have significantly transformed many lives for the better in the society.
“In the area of infrastructure for the last two years, I have constructed blocks of classrooms ms in Askira East, Shaffa and Grim Domchaba, drilled motorized boreholes in Mussa Ward of Askira-Uba, Yimirkila in Hawul and facilitated repairs and maintenance of boreholes across Azare, Shaffa, Ngulde, Uba and Yimirshika communities in the constituency. This is in addition to installations of solar power street lights in all the 25 Wards and also facilitated the construction of Sabon Kasuwa- Damudanaka- Pama rural road among others.
“More so, seven (7) Bills were sponsored and currently law, which means all bills have passed second reading and progressing through legislative phases.They include the Bills for the establishment of Federal schools of Health Science Technology, Federal College of Fisheries and Apiculture Askira-Uba, Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Hawul and Lassa Fever Research Institute in Askira town among others.
“On motions moved and seconded, we have about 11, including the motions to address educational issues relating to SSCE/WAEC, urgent security measures to address renewed Boko Haram attacks in some communities, Lake Chad Basin Development Bill and the 35% Affirmative Action for Women in Leadership among others.
“We have also empowered 240 people, mostly youths who received sewing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles and vehicles in addition to facilitation and recruitment of some of our graduates who got employment at the federal government and different agencies. We have also distributed palliatives and assorted food items such as bags of rice, spaghetti, macaroni, vegetable oils and non-food items.
“On the education sector we have provided learning materials, these include laptops, projectors, books and other teaching materials, with sponsorship of about 238 JAMB students across the constituency, even as 60 students were trained in Basic and Advanced ICT in Lassa zone alone.
“Just last week, we procured two brand new transformers and will be install in Marama and Wamdeo communities in Hawul and Askira-Uba local government areas which is aimed at boosting power supply in those towns”. Balami stated.
He therefore enjoined his teaming supporters and the people of the constituency to continue pray for peace, as he is determined and committed to put smiles on the faces of his people irrespective of political, ethnic or religious considerations.
While pledging an open door policy as his benchmark, Hon. Balami cautioned journalists, particularly those who were hellbent into mischief to desist henceforth, so as to avoid denigrating the good profession that power the wheel of democracy in any society.
