By Ifiok Itiaba : When on December 21, 2015, the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Rt Hon Onofiok Akpan Luke riding on the overwhelming mandate the people of his constituency gave him at the general elections emerged Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, this feat was made possible, first by the special grace of God Almighty and then by the magnanimity and confidence his colleagues in the Honourable House reposed in him by electing him to the high office to pilot the affairs of the six Assembly.
The Speaker set the tone of his leadership style and ideological drive of the House under his leadership in his acceptance speech by declaring the six Assembly "The Peoples Assembly"
Accordingly, he gave his word on behalf of the House that under his watch the House would operate an open door policy and pass laws that will be people oriented. He also assured that the House will work with the executive under His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State to bring development to the state and ensure that the dividends of democracy reached the grassroots.
While pledging to bring to the floor of the House for consideration matters of urgent public importance, the Rt Hon Onofiok Luke also promised to improve on what his predecessors did in the areas of making and passing motions, resolutions and legislation that will enhance the collective good and welfare of the citizens of the state; and in exercise of their oversight functions, ensure that, the Executive arm of government complies substantially with the Bills passed by the House including the appropriation as well as check the excesses of the Executive.
Two months after, the House passed the 2016 Appropriation Bill of N423b into law with the Speaker reiterating the six Assembly readiness to cooperate with the Executive for proper implementation of the Bill.
"I therefore urge the executive to embrace this purely mutually beneficial oversight role of ours. They should not see it as a probe process or confrontation. Rather, doors should at all time be open to us within the fiscal year, to help make our oversighting effort a success.
We pledge our co-operation with the Governor, His Excellency, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the executive council and the Judiciary arm of government to drive the Akwa Ibom project".
Continuing he urges all to support the Governor for him to fulfill his campaign promises " let me urged Akwa Ibom people to continue to show support to His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, and the leadership of the state at every level.
The industrialization plans and other lofty goals of the current administration cannot be actualized in an environment of hostilities, pernicious propaganda, blackmails and hate. As a people, we must at all times pray for our leaders to succeed"
The House within the period intervened in the Local Government Administration. The House approved six month extension of the present Caretaker Transition Committees to enable the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, AKISIEC prepare well for a hitch free conduct of local government polls.
The resolution was part of the recommendations of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs the review of the six month tenure of the local government transition committee chaired by Rt Hon Nse Ntuen.
The House did this in exercise of the powers conferred on her by the constitution and to ensure that the third tier of government remains alive to her responsibilities to the grassroots being the nearest government to the people.
The House also pass a resolution authorizing the Governor to obtain N600m loan from Federal Government Counterpart Fund after receiving a letter from the Governor to that effect.
According to the House Leader and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Rt Hon Udo Kierian, and his Itu counterpart Prince Idongesit Ituen "the loan will help the state government complete projects spread across the entire state and also move the state from the era of MDGs to Sustainable Development".
Currently, a "Bill to make provision and collection of revenue accrue to the government" will soon be pass into law. The bill when passed into law will enable the state government to generate enough revenue internally.
A resolution congratulating the state Governor, His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel on his success at the Supreme Court was also passed.
It also worthy of note that the current House ably led by Rt Hon Onofiok Luke, a lawyer by profession as been playing host to various groups, individuals and organizations on courtesy calls including Legislators Wives Association chaired by his wife, Dr Mrs Uduak Onofiok Luke, Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio among others.
Speaking when Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio visited, Hon Luke stressed the need for unity among the people "what would bring peace, development, growth and wellbeing to our state is unity, togetherness and love, we must rise to the faith of greatness by loving one another, support the present administration to succeed for the good of all"
Finally, the sanctity that gradually fading away has been restored and a conducive working environment for Honourable Members and staffs of the Assembly has returned.
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