SENATE MOURNS AS RIVERS SOUTH-EAST LAWMAKER, SENATOR BARINADA MPIGI, DIES AT 64
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Senate was thrown into mourning on Thursday following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, the lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.
A National Assembly source disclosed that Mpigi passed away at the age of 64 after a brief illness. Until his death, he represented Rivers South-East in the 10th National Assembly and chaired the influential Committee on Works, which oversees federal road infrastructure and related projects across Nigeria.
Legislative Career and Achievements
Mpigi began his political journey in the House of Representatives, first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2016, before moving to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
During the 9th Assembly, he chaired a joint Senate committee investigating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, a critical role amid declining oil revenues and widespread pipeline vandalism.
Tributes and Reactions
News of his death filtered into the Senate chamber during Thursday’s proceedings, casting a sombre mood over lawmakers attending budget defence sessions.
Speaking during the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism session, Senator Mohammed Onawo of Nasarawa South paid tribute, urging colleagues to honour Mpigi’s memory. Lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in his honour.
Members of the House of Representatives also expressed condolences. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, tweeted:
“Good night, my dear friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada. Sen Mpigi represented Rivers South East in the Senate.”
Context
Mpigi’s death comes just three months after the passing of Senator Okey Ezea, representing Enugu North Senatorial District, highlighting a concerning string of deaths among serving legislators in the current Assembly.
With the passing of Senator Mpigi, the National Assembly has again been confronted with the loss of a distinguished lawmaker, deepening concerns about the well-being of its members.
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