By John Ntekim, UYO
The Member Representing Uyo State Constituency at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Monday Eyo Okon has described the lingering agitation by some acclaimed Uyo indigenes, against the constitution of the new Compliance and Monitory Unit of the Ministry of Transport and Petroleum Resources by the Honourable Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Orman Esin describing the development as efforts of troublemakers, with intentions of detracting the Transport boss from delivering on his primary responsibilities.
Addressing press men in his Uyo residence in the early hours of Monday, the legislator informed that after due inquiry into the issue, he could vehemently reiterate that the Uyo people have not been cheated in the appointment of members into the said committee by the commissioner as purported by a section of the media recently. Hence, his constituents (Uyo indigenes) are not vexed.
"Uyo people are not troublemakers. Uyo people are peace loving.
"I had the information that the people of Uyo are not accommodated in the appointments made by the commissioner, I had to make my own findings.
"...yesterday, I sat down here with the members of that committee and I discovered that out of the twelve (12) members that make up the committee, Uyo has six (6) in number. The chairman of that committee (Mr. Maurice Edet) is from Uyo, the Vice Chairman (Mr. Imo Udo) from Ikono Clan in Uyo. In the list of the committee, six (6) people are from Uyo", Hon. Eyo affirmed.
Recall that on Friday, 12th May, 2017, some protesters who claimed to be indigenous people of Uyo Local Government Area attempted to restrain the use of the annex office of the Ministry of Transport and Petroleum Resources (former AKTC Park), through a seeming traditional injunction, by placing a coffin at the entrance to the vicinity.
Speaking on this development, Hon. Eyo however narrated how he attempted to get the issue resolved, but later found out that the protesters were unknown to the leadership of the community.
"The information I had is that it was Uyo people that did that, with particularly reference to that community, Ikot Ntuen Oku. I had to first call the Clan youth president who told me that It was not the youths of that place who did it.
"I still wanted to confirm, so, I called the Clan Head, who told me that he heard of it but he did not know the people that did it and he is not aware where the thing emanated from", the lawmaker informed.
The lawmaker however advised the people of Uyo State Constituency to always seek amicable means of resolving issues, when occasions call for such.
"Uyo people have a listening House of Assembly member. If they have any issue, they should contact me. ...i will ensure they are accommodated", he concluded.
When quizzed on his stance on the controversy surrounding the petition submitted to the House of Assembly against the Commissioner upon the recent revocation of contract between the state government and Fingerprint Nigeria Limited, Hon. Monday Eyo who is also a former Vice Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council said he could not speak on the issue, being that he has not been sufficiently briefed.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the House of Assembly has the right to mediate on the issue.
"It is the duty of the House Committee on Transport to investigate the petition. The House of Assembly is that of the people and must respond in this direction."
Meanwhile, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing Hon. Esin, who he described as an accommodating politician with the capacity to deliver as the State's Transport helmsman.
No comments: