Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha Engages in Deliberations at NBA Abuja Branch's Annual Law Week

On the 9th of May 2024, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, participated in the opening ceremony of the Annual Law Week organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (Unity Branch) in Abuja. The event, held at the A-Class Event Center, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Wuse II, Abuja, is a significant platform for legal professionals, the judiciary, and other stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting the nation.

Hon. Umeha attended the event in a dual capacity: first, as the representative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, during the Opening Plenary; and second, as the representative of the Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Rt. Hon. Olumide Osoba, at the Panel Session focusing on the “Constitutionality of Constituency Projects under the 1999 Constitution: Issues and Prospects.”

In his capacity as the Speaker’s representative, Hon. Umeha conveyed a goodwill message to the attendees. During the plenary session, he shared his insights on the contentious issue of Constituency Projects. He emphasized that while Constituency Projects have become a necessary aspect of our sociopolitical landscape, they have also played a significant role in delivering vital infrastructure at the grassroots level.

Expressing concerns about the prevailing democratic culture, Hon. Umeha lamented that parliamentarians are often judged based on the number of infrastructural projects they attract to their constituencies rather than their legislative contributions. He defended Constituency Projects, highlighting their positive impact on local communities and arguing that, when properly managed, they serve as a vital tool for development.

Furthermore, Hon. Umeha challenged the common perception of the corruptibility of Constituency Projects, attributing their success to effective negotiation and lobbying in the interest of constituents. He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the execution of these projects to ensure optimal outcomes.

Other distinguished panel members included Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, former Member of the House of Representatives, as well as legal luminaries such as Chief B.C. Igwilo SAN, Mr. M.J. Numa, SAN, and Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN. Their collective deliberations aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the legal and constitutional dimensions surrounding Constituency Projects in Nigeria.