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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Constituents and other stakeholders at the reception held after the inauguration of the 6th Assembly, of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, have used the occasion to advise and eulogize the member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 111, Hon Moses Marlon, as well as set agenda for him.
The people of Bomo – Ibe, which is amalgam of Southern Ijaw constituency 111, turned out en masse to celebrate one of their own, Moses Marlon, who has been a loyal member of the People Democratic Party (PDP), having served as party chairman in Southern Ijaw local government area and contested and won to represent Southern Ijaw constituency 111.
Some of the personalities at the reception included Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, immediate past permanent secretary of the federal ministry of power; former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Friday Konbowei Benson; PDP state chairman, Hon Moses Cleopas; Dr Godswill Ziriki; Dr Bestman Festus, commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Hon Dodei Week, aside from various political groups and traditional rulers among others.
In a lecture, on the role of the legislator, Dr. Richard Ogbe advised Hon Marlon not to deviate from his avowed humility, resourcefulness, kindness, hardworking, integrity and other qualities that are synonymous with him.
Dr Ogbe described him as a tested and trusted personality, adding that the role of a legislator is primarily to make laws that will positively impact on his people by lobbying and not forgetting their oversight functions to entrench transparency, accountability and good governance in the state.
He stated that the lawmaker has to keep his doors open and be prepared to attend to the needs and demands from his constituents. “You have been elected to represent Southern Ijaw Constituency 111, so when demands to pay school fees, payment of bride price and settlement of hospital bills come, don’t feign ignorance, but attend to them according to your capacity and keep your phone lines open always,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Dr Godknows Boladei Igali said he has known Hon Marlon as an epitome of humility, pragmatic and respectful and has worked assiduously to advance democracy, stressing that his choice was not misplaced but was apt and auspicious.
“Moses Marlon though a first timer, has all that is expected to give his constituents, a robust and effective representation that the people will be proud of. He deserved prayers and cooperation from all the stakeholders,” he said.
According to Igali, with Marlon’s political pedigree as former chairman of PDP chairman in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, he is eminently qualified to give his constituency a qualitative representation, and enjoined him to work in synergy with his colleagues to ensure that the executive arm of government fast track the development of the state.
“I have no doubt in mind that that Moses Marlon will be a worthy representative and asset to the constituency,” he said.
Former speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Friday Benson Konbowei, advised Hon Marlon to work with the 6th Assembly to surpass what he (Konbowei) and his team achieved, in ensuring there was harmony, peace and stability between the legislature and executive for the past seven years, which strengthened the provision of dividends of democracy by the Restoration Government of Governor Seriake Dickson.
On why the Assembly led by him was adjudged as the most peaceful in the country, Konbowei said the house had always been at peace with the executive, and urged the 6th Assembly to work in synergy, instead of confrontation, with the executive.
He attributed his reign to the will of God, without which he would not have been able to lead the twenty-four state legislators from their constituencies without crisis, and advised the incoming members to emulate the cordial relationship between the legislature and executive.
Dr Godswill Ziriki, the special adviser to the governor on Higher Education agreed that the cap indeed fits Hon Marlon, noting that the mammoth crowd present at the reception was a testimonial to the high regard the constituents has for him.
He described the lawmaker as a credible, truthful and trusted person and urged him to consult widely with his constituency, avoid discrimination in his dealing and ensure he gives even spread in constituency projects and empowerment programmes.
Ziriki also advised him to carry everybody along in the scheme of things and called on him to ensure he fulfills his campaign promises.
Mr Stephen Bekefula also paid glowing tribute to Hon Marlon, describing him as a young man with a humble background who should not disappoint the confidence reposed in him by his constituents and the Bomo – Ibe as a whole.
The lawmaker’s wife, Mrs. Love Marlon, described the mammoth crowd as unprecedented and thanked God for giving her the privilege to marry Hon Marlon who was being celebrated as a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
She said she was the happiest woman on earth whose husband has been inaugurated as one of the 24 wise men to legislate on the socio-economic development of the state, as she prayed God to enlarge her husband’s coast in this voyage of legislation.
State PDP chairman, Moses Cleopas said “I have come to celebrate my brother and namesake, Moses Marlon. As you can see, our names portray us as biblical people and he should carry the element of those characteristics and must not deviate from being humble. Let him continue his assignment with fear of God. He has been faithful and has served the party faithfully and was located by the party. Let him continue to do the needful.
“Now that he has won as an assembly member and has emerged, what he needs is total support and not to distract his attention from bringing dividends of democracy to the SiLGA. If Moses Marlon has been lifted, any other person can aspire to be there. If you celebrate Moses today, you too can be celebrated tomorrow. Anybody could be celebrated someday. Every party member needs to be loyal and wait for his turn,” he advised.
An elated Hon Moses Marlon thanked all that attended the reception, and appreciated God Almighty and the governor of the state, Seriake Dickson for his support and encouragement which translated to his eventual success.
He will support the speaker of the house and other members to work in synergy with the executive in order to deliver more dividends of democracy, and assured his constituents that his priority will be unveiled after due consultation with his people to avoid duplication of amenities as far as constituency projects were concern.
Marlon urged his constituents to join hands with him, noting that with politicking over, he sees everybody from Southern Ijaw Constituency 111 as his friends devoid of political affiliations.
