By Mfonobong Ukpong
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok
Luke, says the 6th Assembly is committed to ensuring that a
comprehensive legal framework is put in place to strengthen the local
government administration in the state.
He stated this today
while declaring open a one day public hearing on 'a bill for a law to
make provision for
local government administration in the state and for
matters connected therewith', held at the House of Assembly complex.
The Speaker said the House was taking a proactive measure with a view
of putting a stop to incessant amendment of the local government
administration law.
"Today again, we honoured our resolve to run an open legislature. We don't have monopoly of everything.
What we are doing today is seeking to put a stop to incessant local
government amendment law which has been embarrassing to our State.
We are unwavering in our resolve to give His Excellency, Governor Udom
Emmanuel the necessary support to ensure that he realizes his lofty
vision for the state. We will give him an enabling environment to
succeed. In doing this, we will take proactive measures. This is the
proactive measure".
Barr. Luke thanked the stakeholders holders
for responding to the invitation of the House, saying the essence of the
public hearing was to enable the legislature galvanize inputs from
members of the public in order to guide the lawmakers in the framing of a
law that would strengthen the local government system in the state and
make it functional.
"The reason we are seeking inputs from
stakeholders is to give to the local government in the state the
necessary tool to function. We are open to constructive criticism and
constructive engagement.
Any time you hear that we have called for a
public hearing, please come, make your input for a better local
government administration.
I am glad that you have responded to our call.
The 26 of us(members of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly) are united
towards supporting other arms of government. The House of Assembly
cannot be a cloak in the wheels of development".
The public
hearing was jointly organized by the House committee on Local Government
and Chieftaincy Affairs, and House Committee on Judiciary, Justice
Human Rights and Public Petitions.
Setting the tone for the
exercise, Chairman, Committee on Local government and Chieftaincy
Affairs, Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere, explained that the essence of the
public hearing was to gather inputs from stakeholders.
He said the exercise was inline with section 4 sub-section 7 of constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(as amended).
Stakeholders that presented inputs during the hearing include, the
Special Adviser to the Governor on political and Legislative Affairs,
Rt. Hon. Ekong Sampson, Commissioner for Local Government and
Chueftaincy Affairs, Hon. Udo Ekpenyong, representative of the Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Mrs. Mfon Edemekong,
Chairman, Forum of former Elected Local Government Chairmen, Obong
Godwin Ekpo, Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP,
Hon. William Ikpe, Chairman, Uyo Local Government Transition Committee,
Hon. Mfon Ben, Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekere-Obong Akpan and the
representative of Heads service at local government councils, among
others.
Issues that were discussed during the public hearing by
stakeholders include, local government autonomy, tenure of elected
local government officials, FGPC meetings and it's composition, local
government legislature and need to accord it full legislative rights and
privileges, among others.
In attendance were members of the public from representing various strata of the society.
House members present during the public hearing were, the Deputy
Speaker, Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, House Leader, Rt. Hon. Udo
Kierian Akpan, Chief Whip, Hon. Bassey Ekpenyong, Deputy Chief Whip,
Hon. David Lawrence, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere, and host of the event, and
Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and
Public Petitions, Hon. Barr. Aniefiok Dennis, (a co-host).
Others include, Rt. Hon. Friday Iwok, Hon. Aniekan Uko, Hon. Hon. Otobong Jonathan, Idongesit Ituen, and Hon. Effiong Bassey.
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