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| Hon. Princewill Christy-Wilcox, Leader, Bonny Local Government Legislative Council |
Soft-spoken, urbane, and good-natured, Hon. Princewill Christy-Wilcox, the newly elected Leader of the Bonny Local Government Legislative Council, exuded intelligence, maturity, firm grasp of issues, and determined focus to make a difference, when Kristina Reports editor-in-chief, Godswill Jumbo met him in Bonny, headquarters of Bonny LGA.
A graduate of Sociology from the University of Port Harcourt, Wilcox worked in various multinationals as Community Liaison Officer (CLO) before venturing into politics. He was elected Councillor representing Ward 9 in the Bonny Local Government Legislative Council and just last week emerged the new Leader of the 8th Assembly of the Council after his colleagues impeached the former leadership.
He spoke to Kristina Reports on the way forward for the Council, relationship with the executive arm, and his plans for the youths of Bonny LGA. Enjoy the excerpts:
Kristina Reports: We understand there has been a change of guard in the Bonny Legislative Council and there have been insinuations that your primary objective of taking over was to remove the Chairman of the Local Government Council. Could this be true?
Princewill Christy-Wilcox: Far from it. We actually do not have an issue with the executive or the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council. We were only asking for the kind of leadership that can protect the interest of the members of the legislative assembly; a leadership that will carry everybody along. Actually we have had issues before now when members raised a point of order. By the legislative standing order, if a point of order is being raised you are supposed to grant that Honourable member audience. In so many cases when that is done the leadership will overrule. That was the first issue that trended in the social media. We don’t have issue with, we don’t intend fighting or impeaching the Executive Chairman.
KR: So, in effect, you are saying you are looking at a synergy between the executive and the legislative councils. How do you intend to go about this?
PW: Actually, before now we have discussed with the Executive Chairman as part of his blueprint that we intend to do somethings. There is need for us to empower or back up what he intends to do with the law. There is a motion as regards the dug-out boats and barges. We are also aware that the Chairman has a plan to…I think it has been done already, send GLOs to the companies in Bonny. We think we should pass a byelaw to back it up and to strengthen that plan of the Chairman. I think we are ready to support him in any way we can.
KR There is currently the trending issue of unemployment crisis in Bonny LGA; the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre being accused of hiring people from outside and the youths being shortchanged. How do you intend to work with the executive to resolve this issue and enhance employment opportunities for the youths of this LGA?
PW: About a month ago we actually had a meeting with the Chairman of the BIRC where all members of the committee were invited and they came and we also asked some questions. Unfortunately, yesterday (Wednesday, October 24, 2018) we heard that a youth was shot as regards to agitation for not having employment. We had to go to the Bonny police station to discuss with the DPO as part of our oversight function and we also went to Channel Clinic to see the victim, the youth, and by the grace of God we will roundup with our investigation. Obviously, the issue of employment is a very, very serious one and we pray that the train 7 will start as soon as possible. And since the Chairman has said that, as part of his blueprint also, about employment, we shall discuss with the Chairman and see how we can empower and support him to create employment for the youths to be gainfully employed.
KR: Now that you are in charge of the new leadership at the Legislative Council, what are you looking at in terms of building the capacity of your colleagues by way of legislative trainings and exposure?
PW: Actually, since our assumption of office we have not had any seminar. But by the grace of God we are planning towards it and we pray that by the end of next month we shall see how we can organize one or two seminars for the 8th Assembly.
KR: What should Bonny people expect from the 8th Assembly under your leadership?
PW: Well, we are aware of the fact that expectations are high. By the grace of God, this is our fourth month in office as the 8th Assembly, we have been able to move more than 20 motions. Many of them are still lying at the floor of the House without any conclusion. I think those are some of the issues we hadwith the impeached leader. By the grace of God we shall swing into action and see how we can make laws that will benefit the generality of the Bonny people, especially, the youths. As you can see,majority of us are youths. We will try our best to see how definitely go about that.
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