The Deputy Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Dr. Matoh Dogara can aptly be described as a quintessential personality. In this chat, he disclosed that the Executive and Legislative arms have had a great working relationship since their inauguration in May 2011. Nigerian Pilot’s Juliet Oyoyo spoke with him. Excerpts.
By the end of this May, the Kaduna State House of Assembly will be two years in office, as deputy speaker, how will you assess the impact of the legislative arm of government on the people of Kaduna State?
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hank you very much. As you are aware, the organ of government that was missing in governance before 1999 was the legislative arm of government; The Executive and Judicial arms were functioning. Nigerians may not appreciate the contributions’ of the legislative arm especially in the area of economic and political impact, but it is agreed that a lot of things have changed since 1999 when democracy was returned as the system of government. The legislature has played a vital and dominant role in the affairs of this country. Two years after their inauguration, the current members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly have done quite a lot under the leadership of RT. Hon. Mu’azu Usman Gangara because of the way and manner he humbled himself.
The honourable speaker has moved the state house of assembly beyond our imagination. Graciously, the House is going to roll out the motions and bills that have been passed in the Assembly within the period of two years of legislation. The chairman House Committee will perform the role, therefore there is no need for me to pre-empt that role. But you will agree that the House has done quite remarkably by the time we roll out the bills and motions moved within the period under review. You will also come to term with the fact that we have greatly affected the lives of the citizens of Kaduna State.
The general security of Kaduna State is one of the areas we have played prominent roles in terms of resolution right from late Governor Yakowa’s administration to date.
Recently, the House initiated the ban on illegal clinics and laboratories operating in Kaduna State. What is the true situation of it now?
The motion was raised by a member of the House on the floor of the chamber. It sought to look into the uses and abuse of drugs, especially the unwarranted sale of drugs. It was all about the way people move about with drugs on the street and the activities of illegal clinics in the state. It is not that we just sit down and pass the judgment as members.
As a legislature, it is our responsibility to go round and see things regarding such issues for ourselves. So, the committee on Health went round the state, came back and submitted its report which proved that a lot of things have gone wrong in that sector in the state.
Expired and fake drugs cannot continue to be hawked on the streets in the state. Drugs have to be recommended or prescribed by a qualified Doctor and bought from an approved pharmaceutical shop. So, the report was submitted and a resolution was passed by the House. You need to see the reports; you will be shocked by the revelations. Ours is to pass the resolution while the executive implements the law.
How would you react to the rumors making the rounds that commercial motorcyclists may be proscribed in Kaduna State? Is the house part of the arrangement?
This question is difficult to comment on because you have to look at the pros and cons of the possibility; whether the state should ban the use of commercial motorcycles or not. The only thing I can assure you is that, presently there is no Bill to that effect before the House. But what I can tell you is that after careful study of the situation in the state, one will make appropriate recommendations.
But all the stakeholders will be made to look into the matter cautiously and ensure that decisions are taken in the best interest of the people. For us in the legislature, we will never take any decision that is against the interest of the people of Kaduna State. I also believe that the executive arm will not rush into taking a decision without due consultation with stakeholders as far as the matter is concerned. But remember that the security of lives and properties supersedes every other thing. And it is the primary responsibility of government to protect lives and properties.
The devastating activities of the Boko Haram sect have continued unabated despite the appeal to drop their weapons because of the Amnesty Committee in place. In your opinion, would you say that the Amnesty programme should be discontinued?
Nigeria is not the first country to be found in this kind of problem. Every nation passes through these kinds of problems. In my own view, since the federal government has already set up the Amnesty programme, Nigerians need to be patient as much as possible. If we are patient, certainly the federal government will solve the problem.
In cases where some members try to read ethnic and religious inclinations into serious state matter on the floor of the house, how do you tackle them?
You could see that that is why it is an Assembly and that is why we are called the legislators coming from different constituencies and background. Therefore, you should not be surprised to see people taking different positions when it comes to a particular matter. But what you should know is that, on several occasions, most of our positions are taken in the best interest of the state in its entirety.
Even though there are some people who oppose or support a particular motion because of the interest of their constituency alone, we have never acted as a result of party differences, but in the collective interest of the state. It is however not out of place that 34 people did not speak in one voice on a particular issue hundred percent. If we should do so then we are passive and not active members. But at the end everybody come to accept the general position of the House, after every deliberation. Because you know in democracy, “majority has their way and minority has their say”.
Looking at the pace with which the House is moving, would you say that Kaduna State House of Assembly is vibrant?
How many times have you met us debating on a state issue on the floor of the house? When you come on a day when there is no serious matter to debate do you expect people to start talking anyhow? People who have been following the debates in Kaduna State Assembly will tell you that this house is not a rubber stamp. We have been doing our work the way we ought to. You can quote me anywhere; this House is one of the vibrant Houses we have in the nation. What people see as vibrancy is when you come out to oppose the governor, abuse him or the executive arm of government. To me, vibrancy is defending the interest of your constituency. We have tried as much as possible to ensure the security of our state through appropriate laws. We have been doing things that will bring development to our dear state. If anybody is expecting us to beginning to fight the executive arm that will not happen because we are ready for peace in the state.
Are you saying that everything is going on perfectly or that the House is happy to just get along with the executive in the interest of peace?
You see, sometimes you find yourself having conflict of thought as a person. Your mind will be divided on one thing; with one telling you to do this and the other telling you not to. What is important is that, when there are areas of disagreement, we sort it out as individuals or between principal officers of both arms of government. You don’t have to go to the television house and begin to talk about the differences, washing your dirty linen in the public. What matters most as far as I am concerned is the results. Here, I mean both organs are living in peace and tranquility and that will give room for concrete development.
How true is the story that the state is broke, when it was known that late Governor Yakowa left over 15 billion naira in the state coffers?
Has anybody presented any document to you that this is the situation in Kaduna? Why do you want to work on rumours?
No! Sir, but it was revealed recently that the state assembly approved the sum of five billion naira to service debt owed Vice President Namadi Sambo, are you aware of such debt?
For us as legislators, we try our best to do what is our job. We are much more concerned about law making. This question is supposed to be directed to the executive arm of government. And I must be sincere with you that I am not aware of what you are talking about. All I want you to know is that Kaduna State is firm.
Every state works hard to generate more revenue for development, and Kaduna State cannot be an exception. And no state can say it has all the money needed to meet up its challenges 100%. The state is moving forward and whatever is the problem, His Excellency, the executive governor, Dr. Ramalan Mukhtar Yero is working hard to overcome them.
Reports have it that Local Government chairmen in Kaduna State are being starved of funds, are you aware?
Well, I am hearing this for the first time too. But what I know is that most of them are happy that they won elections and are happy with being their local government chairman.
What is your assessment of the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly?
Rt. Hon. Mu’azu Usman Gangara, Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly is one person that is very hard working, humble, transparent, and so patient.
So, we all respect him a lot as our leader, a quiet and complete gentleman.