TODAY'S PLENARY: A Resolution on Safety Concern of Akwa Ibom Road Users

Wlliam Akpabio - Information Unit (AKHA) Uyo

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today Thursday passed resolution on a motion about safety concern of Akwa Ibom road users; the need for adequate provision of traffic signs and traffic lights in strategic portions of our roads

This motion was moved by Hon. Godwin Ekpo, member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency pursuant to order 3 Rule 1 of the Standing Order of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (6th Edition).

The motion highlighted that, the number of available traffic signs, traffic lights and speed signs on our road are far less than required for the safety of drivers and pedestrians and that continuous neglect of adequate traffic signs, traffic lights and speed signs/limits in our roads can be very dangerous as proper road safety information will not be communicated to road users to maintain order and reduce accidents.

To such, the House resolution in her urged the State Ministry of Transpot to embark on a thorough assessment of the roads with a view to ensuring adequate road signs and traffic lights are installed at various points of need.

Secondly, the resolution urge companies embarking on road construction projects across the state to ensure all necessarily road and caution signs are provided along their project locations for Public safety and similarly Mandate the House committee on Work and transport to lias with relevant agencies to ensure compliance.

Meanwhile, the Hon. Speaker Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey has directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. mandu Umoren to communicate the House resolution to relevant authorities.

It could be recalled that recently, at least six persons were confirmed dead when a tanker laden fuel ran into two tricycles at Ntak Inyang in Itu Local Government Area; also series of fatal accidents along Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard by Aka Etinan and other locations around Uyo metropolis due to non-availability of traffic lights and or road signs whereas the importance of road traffic signs and traffic lights in providing valuable information to drivers and other road users.

Furthermore, the lawmakers deliberated on the need to further open our economy to the world by establishing An Export Desk Office in the state, this motion was moved by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, the Chief Whip and member representing Ini State Constituency; the motion was referred to a joint House Committee on Agriculture, Commerce and Industry for indepth analysis to report back in one month.

Similarly, the assembly also deliberated on Refusal of Total E&P Nig. LTD (TEPNG) to renew memorandum of understanding with Akwa Ibom State communities, this motion as moved by Hon Mfon F. Idung, member Ika/Etim Ekpo State Constituency called for urgent action. 

the motion highlighted that TOTAL E&P Nig. Limited, Incorporated in 1962 in Nigeria, operated operated in the shores of Akwa Ibom State for more than 60 years without any social, economic or social benefits to the land or people of the state until it entered into the first memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the 31 Local Government Communities of the State on 10th December, 2009; the MOU was to be renewed after three years. and that the second MOU was was delayed but was finally signed in 2015 with 30% downward review from N1.09b to N904m with the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

Consequently, the House referred the motion to House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to lias with the traditional rulers, and report back to the house in one month.

However, the House adjourned her sitting to reconvene on Tuesday 2nd August, 2021.