By Victoria Anietie
A bill for a law to implement a sustainable youth policy framework through the establishment of Akwa Ibom youth development fund (AKYDF)) 2016 and for other matters connected therewith, sponsored by the Member representing Ini State Constituency, in the Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong and eight others was today read for the second time on the floor of the state House.
Motion for the bill to be read for the second time was moved by Prince Idongesit Ituen , member representing Itu state Constituency and was seconded by Hon. Gabriel Toby.
Opening debate on the merit and demerit of the proposed bill, the lead Sponsor of the bill, Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong said he is seeking for Special Intervention Fund for youth development adding that 10%of the state allocation should be reserved for youths development in the state in order for them to experience development lop.
" I rise today to rally support from my colleagues for this bill to see the light of the day because What is good about the bill is that it will help in implementing the policy framework for the interest of Akwa Ibom youths. "
Speaking in favour of the bill The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Rt.Hon Barr Ime Okon, said he will always support anything that will enhance opportunity for the youths of the state and urged that when the bill is committed to the House Committee for further legislative action, the committee should look critically on how the funds should be managed.
"If there is anything that the governor should do for the youths of the state should be encouraged "Ime Okon noted
Hon. Idongesit Ituen, member representing Itu state Constituency said he support the bill in its totality because it will grant opportunities for the youths of the state for development.
On his part, Hon Nse Essien, said the bill when passed into law will encouraged international donor Agencies to contribute funds which will be used to assist young people of the state.
Otobong Jonathan Akpan , member representing Ukanafun state constituency and Hon Mfon Ekong, member for Nsit Ibom State Constituency, commended the lead Sponsor of the bill for bringing the bill to the House. While noting that there is need to establish a policy frame work for youth development in the state in order to enable youths to access funds to whatever they want.
Hon Ufuo, member representing Mbo State Constituency was of opinion that the bill should be targeted at Technical Vocational training that will enable the youths to acquire more skills so that in return they will contribute to the socio economic development of the state.
Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, member representing Ibeno /Esit Eket state constituency also spoke in favour of the Bill.
Responding , The Speaker of the sixth Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke, thanked the lead Sponsor of the bill, co-sponsors and the youths of the state for acting in the manner that is in line with the best practice and pledged the House commitment to expedite action in the passage of the bill.
"As a beneficiary of the youth struggle, let me thank the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill and let me thank the younger people of Akwa Ibom who have decided to engage in the struggle in line with best practices. "
" Prior to now, the struggle by the youths of the state was for the enlargement of the political space, for the accommodation of youths in the government.
That struggle yielded result, and this result is seen in the fact that most of us here today are relatively young people."
"That youth struggle has materialised today in the sense that the present class of young people can leveraged on the political offices that we hold to push their agenda. Indeed, this is the beginning of the crystallising of the youth struggle for development in the state."Speaker Onofiok Luke noted
After reading the bill for the second time, The speaker committed the bill to the joint committees on youths and Sports and that of Economic Development to report to the House in one month for further legislative action.
Speaking with Assembly correspondents immediately after sitting.. The Executive Director of youth Advocacy clusters and Youth Alive Foundation, Dr. Uduak Okon, commended the Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly for the step taken so far for the youths of the state and added that once the bill is passed into law, will transform the youths of the state.
Youth Advocacy Clusters is made up of 53 youths groups in the state.
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