8TH A'IBOM ASSEMBLY: ONE YEAR AT A GLANCE.

8TH A'IBOM ASSEMBLY: ONE YEAR AT A GLANCE.

... a superlative scorecard within its first year, guarantees greater achievements in the remaining three years of their tenure.

By Williams Akpabio 

The Eighth Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was inaugurated on June 9, 2023, exactly one year ago, following a proclamation by the State Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno. 

At the first sitting of the House, the 26 law makers conducted  election for their leaders and Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong elected on the platform of the People’s  Democratic Party (PDP), a consummate Political Scientist, representing Abak State Constituency was elected as the 13th Speaker of the Assembly as well as Rt. Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem representing Itu State Constituency who emerged as the Deputy Speaker.

The Assembly which  have recorded many significant achievements since it was inaugurated is predominately made up of members of the PDP, the 26-member Assembly has only two members who was elected on the ticket of the Young People’s Party (YPP) Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana (Ikono ) and Hon. Moses Essien (Ibiono). 

The Assembly also has in its Leadership Composition as follows:Hon. Sunday Johnny representing Onna State Constituency as the House Leader. Rt. Hon. Sir. Effiong Johnson representing Mbo State Constituency as the Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Barr. Otobong Bob representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency as the Deputy Leader. Hon. (Prince) Sampson Idiong representing Oruk Anam State Constituency as the Deputy Chief Whip While Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok serves as the Clerk and Administrative Head of the House of Assembly.

After the initial intrigues that gripped the Assembly over the election, the 8th Assembly began the business of lawmaking which was greeted with enthusiasm and optimism with overwhelming support from members cutting across party affiliations among new and returning members, this bond led YPP losing their two seats to PDP fold hence the House presently has all the 26 members under the PDP  ☂️ umbrella.

The Assembly has been able to tap from the experience of some of the returning members who have garnered expertise in legislative business over the years. These  include: the Speaker Rt Hon. Udeme Otong, the Chief Whip Rt. Hon. (Sir) Effiong Johnson (Mbo), Deputy Leader Rt. Hon. Barr. Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubium), Rt. Hon. Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung (Etim Ekpo/Ika) and Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana (Ikono). 

Recalled in the Speaker's inaugural speech, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong avowed that the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly also known as the "People's Assembly" will continue to offer the best legislative service to the State and that the future generations will look upon the 8th Assembly as a true Assembly of the people`s representatives who did their best in the service of our dear State; the promise he upheld.

Acknowledging the role of the Assembly under a democratic governance via the constitution in giving the legislature the “powers to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the state,” has helped to promote checks and balances and with full determination to impact positively on the lives of the citizenry, the Eighth Akwa Ibom Assembly members have demonstrated in just one year, their burning desire to make impressive marks in the development of the State. 

To this end, the main tripod functions of the legislature, which are: Law Making, Representation and Oversight have been actively discharged by the lawmakers within their one year of legislative engineering; accordingly, giving room for an assessment of its scorecard, pitfalls as well as challenges.

 The present Eighth State Assembly within its first year , have been able to enact quality laws and passed numerous people-oriented resolutions emanating from 48 Bills of which 11 has been assented to by His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno and 91 motions sponsored by the members. 

Some of the Bills passed by the present legislature include;

*2023 Supplementary & 2024 Appropriation Bills.

*A Bill for a Law to Establish the AKS Bulk Purchase Agency for the Purchase of Bulk Commodities in the state and other matters Connected Therewith; 

*A Bill for a Law to Amend the AKS Agricultural Loans Law to increase the amount that that may be granted as Loans to Individuals Farmers, Cooperate bodies and cooperative societies and for related matters.

*A Bill for a law to establish the AKS Infrastructure and Assets management and maintenance Agency and for other Matters Connected Therewith.

*AKISIEC Law Amendment Bill 2024

*AKS Traditional Rulers Council [TRC] Bill, Cap 155)

*Legislative Financial Autonomy Bill *Statutory Board Bill 

*A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics and Akwa Ibom Statistical System and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.

*Ibom Community Watch Bill *Security Trust Fund Establishment Bill and others.

On Resolutions, the present Assembly has recorded over 90 people-oriented Resolutions that touch all sectors of the State economy. This is a testimony to the cordial working relationship between the Legislative and the Executive Arms of government, which has facilitated the overall development of the State.

Similarly, the Assembly has been adjudged to have acquitted itself creditably in terms of its relationship with members of the public as seen in its readiness to organized public hearing and interactions on Bills regularly, thus seeking the opinion and contributions of members of the larger society on many sensitive Bills.

In addition to the legislative achievements recorded, the Assembly did not fail to provide a conducive working environment for its members as the "People's Assembly” led by a “People's Speaker,” during the last one year.

Meanwhile, the present lawmakers, having practically demonstrated their love for the State by showing genuine commitment to duty and determination to contribute to the development of the State, most expediently need the collective prayer of all  for the sustenance of the peace and love they need to continue to work well. Having such a superlative scorecard within its first year,  greater achievements are guaranteed in the remaining three years of their tenure.

Information Unit

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly