The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering on the promises made to his constituents, stating that most of them have already been fulfilled while others remain a work in progress.
Jarigbe stated this on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Cross River State Journalists Forum, CROSSJOF, led by its interim chairperson, Franscica Ogar, at his residence in Abuja.
The lawmaker said beyond his legislative responsibilities of lawmaking and oversight, his foremost duty is to uphold the social contract he entered into with the people of Cross River North.
“We are here to represent our people. We made promises during the campaign; we’ve kept those promises, and it’s still a work in progress,” he said.
He reeled out his scorecard on infrastructural development and human capital investment as the cornerstones of his agenda, with interventions spanning all six local government areas in the senatorial district, namely: Ogoja, Obudu, Yala, Bekwarra, Obanliku, and Boki.
According to him, every council ward in the district has benefited from at least one developmental project, including water supply schemes, rural electrification, roads, school construction and furnishing, and science laboratory equipment.
On healthcare, Jarigbe noted that previously under-equipped primary health centres now have essential tools such as glucometers, sphygmomanometers, and thermometers — thanks to his interventions.
Speaking on local road projects, he cited the ongoing rehabilitation of the road to his village between Ogoja and Ibil, now at the stone-base stage.
He also referenced the long-neglected Boki-Abakpa road, which he said has now been fully rehabilitated.
On youth empowerment and education, the Senate Committee Chairman on Gas revealed that his office has provided business grants, tuition support, and launched scholarship and bursary programmes.
“We’ve deliberately embarked on structured scholarship and bursary schemes. By next month, bursary payments will begin. Some of our constituents are already studying abroad under NDDC and PTDF scholarships, in the UK, Europe, and elsewhere,” he added.
In response to questions about his legislative record in the 10th Senate, Jarigbe pointed to the bill for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Cross River North, which has passed its second reading and public hearing stage.
However, he lamented that other bills he sponsored, including those proposing a Federal University of Technology and a Federal Polytechnic in Ogoja — were declined at the presidential level.
“That’s what happens when you’re in the opposition,” he remarked, expressing hope that the bills would be reconsidered in the future.
On the ongoing wave of defections by opposition lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Jarigbe made it clear he has no intention of switching parties, affirming his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“Our politics is local. If I tell my people I’m defecting, they’ll say, ‘You can go, but we’re not going with you.’ My people are in PDP, and I’ll stay with them. Everyone who defects has their reasons, but I’m staying with my people,” he said.
Jarigbe also voiced strong support for the creation of additional states, singling out Ogoja State as a deserving candidate.
“If there’s one state that deserves to be created in Nigeria, it is Ogoja. I believe Mr. President will listen and grant that request,” he said.
As the only PDP senator from Cross River State, Jarigbe urged constituents across Northern Cross River to remain hopeful and united, emphasizing the need to support the state government to deliver good governance.
“I remain committed to fulfilling my social contract and delivering the dividends of democracy. Let us support our state government to stay focused and undistracted because our people need governance brought to their doorsteps,” he stated.
