By Kassim Omomia
House of Representatives has raised the red flag over the increasing deaths of members traced to home troubles and pressures.
Addressing news men on the side lines of the death of Honourable Ossy Chinedu Prestige, member representing Aba North/South of Abia state , Chairman House Committee on Media and Publicity, Ben Kalu, said that they are worried over the rising deaths reported to be from heart conditions as a result of misdirected requests on the members by their people they represent at the National Assembly.
Only at Tuesday plenary, the first in the new year, the House adjourned plenary in honour of the late Honourable Prestige
Speaking further, Honourable Kalu, said that lawmakers were being put under needless pressures from their constituents at all costs.
He listed roads, hospital, water projects and other sundry demands ordinarily, that are not supposed to be directed at lawmakers are the burden they now bear.
“Members of Parliament are suffering under stress. Pressures from constituents are killing members of parliament. Most of them are suffering heart attacks.
“What constituents ask us to do is a misplaced burden. The expectation is misplaced. So, the earlier we start reducing it, the better. What a Governor is supposed to do are pushed to lawmakers.
“Those who are not supposed to build roads, hospitals, houses, are asked to do so, but the necessary resources to do so are not there. Members do not have the kind of money you think they have.
“This is the poorest Parliament. They are not living in affluence. Somebody is somewhere sponsoring blackmail against the National Assembly. How can you say National Assembly has been compromised in its work, by whom?
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the pace they intended to work, but nonetheless, they would still put up their best despite the current challenges.
He disclosed that finishing touches have been put on new technologies that would enable the lawmakers work unobstructed in these COVID-19 times, especially on priority Bills, like the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB), Electoral Act and the Constitution Amendment Bills.
