Faleke empowers Ikeja APC members with cars, sewing, grinding machines, generators

HOUSE of Representatives member, James Faleke, has explained the motive behind his empowerment schemes. They are borne out of a desire to enhance dignity of life for constituents. 
Faleke of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, said empowered constituents are not only self-employed, but potential employers of labour.
He spoke at the NIJ premises where he donated empowerment items, including 25 vehicles to constituents from Ikeja Local Government Area, Onigbongbo and Ojodu local council development areas – the three local government areas in the Ikeja Federal Constituency.
Also given out to artisans were 108 sewing machines; 108 grinding machines; 18 generators; 18 barbing clippers; 18 hair dryers; 18 freezers and vulcanising machines.
 
He described the items as tools to empower the people, and party faithful.
 
In a carnival-like event, the expansive NIJ pavilion was filled with party leaders and members as well as the lawmaker’s wishers.
 
The event also featured free health services, where thousands benefitted from free eye glasses; Malaria, HIV tests, among other ailments.
 
According to Faleke, the cars would be used for commercial purposes and that the proceeds used to alleviate poverty among the people in the constituency.
 
According to him, a committee will be put in place to manage their operations.
 
He said: “Please, these cars should not be converted to personal use. A committee of five maximum will be set up in each wards by the leaders to manage the funds that come in to the purse, so that the money can be used to take care of less-privileged in the wards.
 
“Every day, I get calls, I get text messages requesting for assistance and I thought, this is the only way I can take care of these issues. Let it be stated that in my previous empowerment, I gave two tricycles to each of the wards in all the three local government areas, unfortunately, some beneficiaries sold the tricycles. These ones would not go like that. The cars will not be sold; they will not be converted to personal use by the grace of God. I want all the leaders to please ensure that these cars are properly maintained and the proceeds from them should be use to take care of our members.” he said.
 
He said lots of projects have been carried out in the last seven years of representing the constituency.
 
Some of the projects, according to him, include three blocks of classrooms in Onigbogbo, GRA, Ogba and Alausa.
 
His words: “For us, what is important is to ensure that we have able representation. When the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was till NEPA, our responsibility was to provide transformers and we did provide more than 18 transformers to the constituency.  We dug boreholes in Yakoyo and Wasimi areas.
 
 
 
“On employment opportunities, we have secured employment for 40 people in various federal agencies. Today’s event is a continuation of our empowerment programmes. Please note that we do empowerment on daily basis, but today, we decided to make it public. We want to encourage other party members that of course, there is future in this great party,” he said.
 
Of the 25 cars, Faleke said 18 were going to the wards, the remaining seven for critical party leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
 
“These critical leaders are people who motivate the populace to vote for our party. They have paid their dues, they spend their money. We need to encourage them to continue to reach out to the people in their neighbourhood. When those people see it in the neighbourhood, others will quickly join our party,” he said.
 
Faleke lauded APC National stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders for believing in his ability to represent Ikeja at the National Assembly.
Lagos State APC Chairman, Tunde Balogun, described Faleke as a loyal party man.
 
“He has been representing Ikeja well. I know where he is going will be bigger than where he is now. You will get there,” Balogun said at the event.
 
APC South-West Zonal Women Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson, said: “You have started well. I believe you will continue to do well. God will give you the bigger position you are aiming at.”
 
Party chieftain, James Odunmbaku, lauded Faleke for lifting the party higher and giving back to the community.