The legislative arm of the Akwa Ibom State has decided to extend the term of the local government interim committee by an additional six months, pending the organization of council elections.
This resolution was reached following the delivery of an evaluation by the Assembly’s Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, under the leadership of Mfon Idung, at their session on Thursday.
Idung shared, the committee heads and members at the helm of local government areas are zealously driving forward Governor Umo Eno’s “ARISE Agenda” through initiatives in infrastructure, workforce enhancement, and welfare services.
Detailing the oversight activities, Idung stated, “The House Committee, in exercising its duties, engaged with each local government area where the Transition Committee chairmen and their groups generously hosted us, proceeding to escort us around to inspect initiatives akin to the ‘Arise Demonstration Farms’ among others within each territory.”
READ MORE: President Tinubu Commends Modi On Re-Election As Indian Prime Minister
He further affirmed that “The entirety of the funds due to each local government area has been forthrightly dispatched to the Councils by His Excellency, the Governor, ever since this provisional governance phase was initiated.”
He lauded the majority of the Local Government Transition Committees for their wise allocation of these resources, revealing, “There wasn’t a single local government enclave devoid of a landmark project,” as per his findings.
Nonetheless, Idung mentioned that the committee was keeping a watchful eye on a handful of Local government councils which have showcased fluctuating levels of performance.
Adding to the discussion, Otobong Bob (representing Nsit Ubuim), the Deputy Leader of the House, elucidated, notwithstanding the assembly’s decision, it is within the Governor’s purview to either reaffirm or relinquish any Transition Committee chairman’s position.
Following these discussions, Speaker Udeme Otong took a step to instruct the clerk to relay the assembly’s resolution to the Governor, cementing the legislative endorsement for these extended committee terms.
Subsequently, the Assembly paused its regular convening and is set to reconvene for the next plenary session on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10 in the morning.
