ST. ANDREWS ANGLICAN CHURCH HARVEST, BAKANA: “WE MUST NOT WAIT FOR GOVERNMENT MONEY TO IMPACT ON OUR PEOPLE - AYE PEPPLE

As the race for rages on aspirants of the different political parties are stepping up their games within the two local government areas, they are battle ready to showcase those skills and rare talents that stand them out above others in their bid to win the people's mandate to represent them.

One of such prominent politicians is the Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, House of Representatives aspirant Hon. Aye Atamah Pepple. Hon. Pepple may not be in his campaign trail but representing the governor of Rivers state, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as special guest at the 2014 Harvest Thanksgiving Service of St. Andrews Anglican Church in Bakana, Degema Local Government area, he told the congregation during a brief statement that as public spirited individuals we must not wait to hold political positions to start helping our people. Some of us have the capacity to do things for society without government. If you have the people at heart you don't need government money or contracts to spur you to do something for your people and that has been a defining policy thrust for me as an individual”, he told the church congregation.

The lawmaker presently representing, Bonny/Degema constituency in the Rivers state House of Assembly in the course of the harvest thanksgiving was done the honour of harvesting a full bunch of plantain which marked the very highpoint of the Thanksgiving service.

He lamented the state of Degema/Bonny constituency saying from what he gathered that successive leadership has not helped to move the constituency forward. Pepple noted that as a lawmaker in the state he was able to utilize funds made available by the state for constituency projects that has left imprints on the sands of time for his people. However he said he cannot ascertain if there is constituency project for members of the House of representative. “Seriously if there is then Bonny local government is yet to witness one. I have not seen any federal constituency project in Bonny LGA from Degema/Bonny Constituency, I don't know if there is any in Degema LGA but I think it is worrisome and pitiable development

Bonny outside his constituency projects he was able to donate cars to strategic institutions to aid their work, empower a host of indigent constituents, host competitions and even built edifices of colossal importance to the people. Narrowing it down to churches he told the congregation that selflessly roofed the convenience at st stephens cathedral and is presently rebuilding St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Otobie Bonny. This according to him were not included as constituency projects but was done out of the love he had for the people and the need to advance society..

Speaking to newsmen on why he seeking to represent Degema/Bonny constituency in the Federal House of representative he said to ensure that an enabling law is put in place to safeguard the State from the life threatening activities of oil exploration.

If elected into office, he promised to make use his wealth of experience as a lawmaker to tinker on how best to position the constituency on the wheel of progress. According to him Youths and graduates unemployment is another source of worry to this National Assembly hopeful and if mandated he said he will do his utmost best to ensure that majority of our young school leavers are gainfully employed.

The amiable lawmaker is also not happy that most politicians do not know why they are seeking for political offices and promised to pursue a people oriented programme devoid of selfishness and unnecessary amassing of wealth, stressing that he is not in politics for money.

He promised to invest in agriculture-fishing and farming and setting up industries as a way of engaging our youths.

According to him, the engagement of these young people will reduce the rate of crimes and promote security of lives in the State and country at large. All this, he has promised to pursue if given the go-ahead to represent his constituency at the Federal House of Representatives.

The other area that will not escape his prying eyes he said is the need for meaningful projects that positively impact on the lives of his constituents.