Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Tuesday accepted the creation of 31 state constituencies and payment of compensation to crises’ victims proposed by two members of the house.
While Asuquo Nana Udo representing Ikono State Constituency seeks the creation of 31 state constituencies against the present 26, Emem Udom representing Ukanafun State Constituency wants payment of compensation to victims of crises in parts of Oruk Anam, Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo.
The sponsor of the motion, Udo said the motion for the creation of additional State Constituencies to aid effective representation of the people at the legislative level and spread dividends of democracy in the state.
According to him, the motion was in pursuant of Order three (3) rule One (1) of the Standing Order of the AKHA during Tuesday Plenary, August 8, 2023.
The motion entitled, “The Need to Create Additional State Constituencies in Akwa Ibom State,” the Ikono lawmaker, noted that the State is long overdue for additional State Constituencies to ensure political advancement of the State since creation more than thirty 30 years ago.
The motion further stated, “That the creation of thirty-nine (39) new political wards across the three (3) Senatorial districts of the State by Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) has not only delimited our political wards but has also prepared us for national political expansion.”
Hon Udoh, added that in view of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), Section 91, “the State Assemblies shall consist of three or four times the number of seats which that State has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect, as far as possible nearly equal population: Provided that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of not less than twenty-four (24) and not more than forty (40) members.”
He further argued that the State deserves 31 State Constituencies, quoting the provisions of Sections 112, 113 and 114 sub-section 1 of the CFRN which strengthen his view, and making reference to Katsina State which has 34 State Constituency seats, having been created the same day and year with Akwa Ibom State.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Selina Ukpatu of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo and supported by her counterparts from Ibiono Ibom, Uyo and Nsit Ubium State Constituencies, respectively.
The member for Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, who doubles as the Deputy Leader of the 8th Assembly while contributing to the matter, noted that since it is a constitutional issue and not under the legislative purview of the State Legislature, its Akwa Ibom State Caucus in the National Assembly should take up the matter at that level.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon Udeme Otong directed the Clerk, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok to communicate the House resolution to Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant Government Agencies.
In another development, the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Evang. Emem Udom, has made a strong case for victims of the 2017-2019 crises that engulfed Ukanafun, parts of Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo LGAs.
This is sequel to a motion presented during Tuesday’s Plenary and co-sponsored by Prince Sampson Idiong representing Oruk Anam and Elder Mfon Idung representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency.
He prayed the House to, among other things, urge Governor Umo Eno to constitute Reconciliation and Compensation Committee to interface with the victims, Mandate the State Emergency Management Agency to commence immediate release of relief materials to victims, and Mandate the House Committee on Security to ensure compliance.
Presenting the motion, Emem Udom questioned the justice system that rewards criminals who inflict injuries on fellow citizens and punish victims affected by such crisis.
According to him, “It is worrisome that years after the peace deal, those affected by the crisis have not had any form of meeting nor received any compensation from government or its agencies. Well documented record has it that more than 200 persons were reportedly killed, hundreds kidnapped, properties including vehicles, businesses and houses were burnt. The aged, clergy, students, civil servants, politicians, farmers and businessmen were not spared whenever the heavily armed hoodlums decided to go on rampage.”
The Ukanafun-born Lawmaker lamented “Disturbed that injustice to one is injustice to all, given that the victims who are still licking their wounds, are yet to be reintegrated back to Society as their homes, means if livelihood have all been destroyed. Most disturbed that while the victims are living in anguish, the perpetrators have since moved on with their lives, have been forgiven, trained and empowered by government with little or no consequences for their crimes.”
Fielding questions from journalists, Udom underscored the need for Governor Umo Eno to intervene in the matter to ensure justice is done on the matter.
Reacting too, a co- sponsor of the motion and member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, described as pathetic the aftermath of the crisis and the fact that the victims are yet to be compensated while the perpetrators are free and empowered.
“The aftermath of the crises which affected parts of Etim Ekpo is really pathetic. If motions on the floor of this House are an academic exercise, let this particular motion be taken seriously. Incidentally, the hoodlums have started to regroup again. Government should act fast to nip it in the bud,” Mfon said.
The motion was referred to the Committee on Security and Sports to collaborate with Ministry of Internal Security and report to the House in one month.
Moreover, the House considered motion entitled, “Urging the State Government to Prioritise the Establishment and Modernization of Libraries, Laboratories, and ICT Unit in Secondary Schools within the State,” by Hon. Engr. Udobia Friday Udo of Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency.
The House also considered the following motions; “Notice of Motion for Completion of Construction of Nsit Atai-Oron Road Project” sponsored by Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson of Mbo State Constituency, co-sponsored by Hon. Pius Bassey Pius of Okobo State Constituency; “Worrisome Flood Menace in Ikot Isighe, Ikot Obiokoi, Ikot Etefia Ukam and Ikot Akpaden Communities in Mkpat Enin L.G.A,” by Hon. Uwem Peter Imoh-Itah of Mkpat Enin State Constituency; and “Urgent Need to Intervene on A Gully Erosion Affected Areas in Eman Uruan, Uruan Local Government Area” sponsored by Dr. (Mrs) Itorobong Etim of Uruan State Constituency.
Earlier, Hon. Uduakobong Ekpo-Ufot, a member for Etinan State Constituency, had brought a matter of Urgent Public Importance on the crisis in Ndoneyo community in Etinan LGA which has caused destruction of lives and properties of the people and as well displaced members of the affected communities.
