By DADA AYOKHAI
Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, member representing Egor/ Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency at the National Assembly, succinctly falls within categories of those who achieved greatness by a dint of hard work
In a space of one year as a federal legislator under the auspices of the Labour Party ( LP ), the lawmaker who as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Parliamentary Friendship Group for New Zealand has recorded tremendous achievements both in his legislative calling and in the provision of dividends of democracy to his constituents, distinguishing himself as a rare bred grassroot politician.
The above description is anchored in his sterling performance, which has won for him the admiration of his people.
Some of the achievements of this unassuming politician are in two broad spheres, namely:
A. LEGISLATIVE IMPACTS IN THE GREEN CHAMBER
In a space of one year, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi has made an indelible mark as a politician of purpose.
This is evident in the number of Motions and Bills credited to him on the floor of the House all aimed at enhancing the well-being of Nigerians as well as strengthening federal institutions for effective service delivery.
BILLS:
Hon. Omoruyi is credited with the sponsorship of three important bills for good governance. They include:
(i) An Act to provide for the establishment of a Federal Institute of Technology to be sited in Egor/ Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency, Edo State, 2023.
(ii) A Public Procurement Act/Bill , 2024 , which seeks to mandate government entities to prioritize locally produced goods in procurement processes and restricting importation of goods already manufactured in Nigeria.
(iii) As well as the National Films and Videos Censor Board Amendment Bill, 2024, which among other things, stipulates stiffer penalties against films, videos and music videos that glamorize money rituals , ritual killings, nicotine products in films and musical videos.
MOTIONS:
The federal lawmaker, who is also a member of the Appropriation Committee, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi has also been hailed by Nigerians for his popular motions on the floor of the Green Chamber, which are aimed at improving the lots of Nigerians.
Leading the list of these life changing motions credited to the Labour Party Parliamentarian are:
(i) Motion on the Need for the Federal Government to Rehabilitate the Benin Moat ( Walls of Benin ) to boost the Nation’s Tourism Industry.
(ii) Motion of Urgent Need for the Immediate Repairs and Rebabilitation of Federal Roads in Edo State.
Others are:
(iii) A motion of Urgent Public Importance on the need to address the Deplorable Living Conditions of Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
A call to Auction all Police Barracks across the country and the payment of accommodation allowance for men and officers of the Nigeria Police.
(iv) A motion to Constitute the National Council of Public Procurement as prescribed by section 1(i) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and a
(v) Motion of Urgent Need to Address the Recent Upsurge of Conflicting Court Orders and Judgements in Nigeria.
It is equally heartwarming to learn that Hon. Omoruyi does not restrict himself only to his legislative functions but has taken a step further to provide the dividends of democracy to his Egor/ Ikpoba-Okha constituents.
B. EMPOWERMENT:
On the empowerment front, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, upon assumption of office in 2023 , recruited and inaugurated forty Constituency Organizers, twenty from each of Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas that make up his federal constituency .
The Constituency Organizers are charged with the responsibility of reaching out to the grassroots in the forty wards of the constituency with a view to ascertaining their yearnings and concerns and reporting back to him.
To aid their operations, Hon. Omoruyi purchased and donated a number of buses for the organizers.
As a widely traveled leader, Hon. Omoruyi identifies education as the key to contemporary world order. This conviction energized his passion for education. Hence, his decision to institute a yearly scholarship scheme for Senior Secondary (SS3) students in public schools in Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas . The scholarship covers books, tuitions and examination fees.
Other landmark achievements of the Labour Party parliamentarian include the installation of solar-powered street lights across major streets in the two local government areas.
And, in furtherance to the fulfillment of his campaign promises, especially women empowerment, Hon. Omoruyi recently doled out a ten million Naira (N10M) grant to 200 market women in Egor and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs, with each market woman receiving a cheque of fifty thousand Naira. This is in addition to the workshop and training programmes put together by him to further train the women on business and prudent management of resources.
On youth empowerment, Hon. Omoruyi was quick to identify the importance of sports in re-directing the energy of the youths from vices to productive ventures. This realization gave birth to the Honourable Murphy Osaro Omoruyi Football Tournament for youths in the two local governments that make up his constituency. The exercise does not stop only at winning prizes but also provides the opportunity for the identification of budding talents in the game of soccer. The first edition of the tournament which held in January, 2024, attracted football scouts who have so far identified 16 players who are to be connected to foreign clubs.
These players will be unveiled in the first week of July, 2024 preparatory to their camping programme and subsequent movement abroad for trials with foreign clubs.
In addition to that, Hon. Omoruyi has also launched a training programme of diverse trades for youths in the constituency, ranging from solar panel installation to phones, laptops, tablets, and desktop repairs .
Others are poultry farms, fish farming, and snail farming.
On completion of the training, beneficiaries will be supported with kits and startup funds.
Not done, Hon. Omoruyi in December 2023, distributed palliative worth several millions of Naira to his constituents in Egor and Ikpoba-Okha LGA. This comprises two trailer loads of 25kg bags of rice and condiments.
There is no doubt that Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi is a grassroot politician and a committed party man who has the interest of his people at heart.
In furtherance of his open door policy, Hon.Omoruyi currently operates three constituency offices two in Ikpoba-Okha ( Upper Sokponba and Ologbo ) and one in Egor ( Uselu) for easy accessibility.
There is no doubt that within one year in offices, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi has become a reference point of legislative excellence and a trailblazer for the youths.
Hon.Murphy Osaro Omoruyi is currently the Chairman of the House of Representatives Parliamentary Friendship Group for New Zealand and member, House Committee on Appropriation. He is also a member of the Ecological Funds, Commerce, Aids, Loans and Debts Management, Banking Institutions, Aviation, Basic Education, Capital Market, Culture and Tourism as well as member, Petroleum Resources Main Stream Committee.
