By Julius Nsikak
The Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. (Eld) Mfon Idung has disclosed the committee’s preparedness to embark on a tour of the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
This disclosure was made known on Tuesday 30th April, 2024, during an interacting session between the committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairmen, Transition Committee of the 31 LGAs at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Conference Hall, Assembly Complex at Sir Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The meeting was primarily fashioned to informed the chairmen, who came out in their numbers and were told of the oversight function of the Assembly to undertake an exclusive tour of the 31 Local Government Areas in the state and as well deliberate on matters bothering the developmental strides and infrastructural rebirth in their various LGA’s.
The committee’s Chairman, Rt. Hon. Idung, in his remark, thanked participants for taking out time to attend the important meeting, and he further commended the chairmen who has just in few months in office caused enormous developments in their various LGA’s and added great value to the government of Pastor Umo Eno.
Expressing displeasures, the Lawmaker revealed that some chairmen have nothing to show as achievements and that others have decided to operate in solo form by pocketing allocated funds for their personal gain.
His words, “In a week or two, this committee will visit all the 31 LGA’s in the state to assess the performances of various chairmen and work done to improve the well being of the governed.”
Etim Ekpo/Ika Legislator, while noting that it is the committee’s responsibility to oversight the activities of the Local Government, urged the participants to keep detailed records of executed projects, pictures of the projects, cost of the projects, in preparation for the committee’s visit.
Also appealed that they should reside in their LGA’s , so as to enable them get closer to the represented, in order to expedite developments and many other changes in the narrative.
In the same vein, the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien; Uruan member, Hon. (Dr.) Itorobong Etim; Nsit Atai Lawmaker, Hon. (Prince) Aniefiok Okon Attah, encouraged participants to be people oriented, stated how expedient it is for them to adhere to the enacted law, providing for chairmen to reside in their LGA’s.
The Legislators, noted that as custodians of the law, they should not breach the law for any reason, he placed emphasis on the need to employ more security mechanism to ensure that peace is sustained in their homeland and defaulters brought to book to face the full weigh of the law.
In a vote of thanks, the Chief Whip, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Effiong Johnson, thanked participants for coming out enmasse, encouraged them to take positive strides to improve the well being of the governed and to also ensure that the dividends of democracy is benefited by all.
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State, ALGON Chairman, Rt. Hon. (Engr) Iniobong Nnamso in his speech, thanked the committee’s leadership for a friendly invitation to interface concerning the committee’s visit, explained how trite the exercise is, noted that it will help the committee better know where/how to swing into action to enhance leadership and as well ensure effective discharge of duties.
He maintained that after the committee’s visit, many prevailing challenges such as insecurity and more will be arrested, while stating commitment to support the committee in order to ensure the exercise reach maximum expectation without any cause for alarm.
The meeting was attended by the Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Precious Selong ( member, Urue Offong/ Oruku); Hon. Jerry Otu (member, Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara) Head of Legal Services, Chairmen across the 31 Local Government Areas and others.
