The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung has given the Chairman of Abak Local Government Area thumbs up for effective service delivery.
Rt. Hon. Idung made the remark when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the council’s Chairman, Hon. (Mrs.) Ime Effiong Charles at her office on Wednesday.
Idung praised the Council Chairman for her achievements, particularly the completion of the Legislative Chambers, and other people-oriented projects, urging her to embark on more projects.
He noted that the council, being situated at the heart of Abak town, requires further beautification.
The member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency in the House emphasised that the oversight exercise was in line with the mandate given to the legislature by the Constitution of Nigeria.
He explained that the visit was not just an ordinary tour, but a constitutional responsibility to verify accountability in financial and administrative records, project execution, service delivery, community impact, transparency, access to projects, and direct engagement with the people.
Idung, who is an Elder in Qua Iboe Church, stated that the oversight tour, as directed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, was not intended to witch-hunt or incite the people against the Chairman, but to evaluate her performance and ensure that funds received from the federal government were effectively and judiciously utilised.
Earlier, the Abak local government boss had briefed the visitors on the projects executed and completed by her administration in the area since assumption of office 21 months ago.
These included the completion of Legislative Chambers, construction and equipping of Health Centre, Ikot Antuk in Midim Clan, building of modern toilet facility with a solar-powered borehole at Abak Main Market.
Other projects were the remodeled and furnished offices for the Traditional Rulers Council, NULGE, the Agriculture Department and council stores, as well as the offices of the 12 Councillors and Supervisors at the Council’s Secretariat.
The administration also highlighted the grading of rural roads across all 12 wards, which has reconnected communities and boosted local trade, donation of educational materials to primary and secondary school pupils across the five clans of Abak, restoration of electricity in communities, and regular waste evacuation and sanitation of Abak metropolis.
On interventions and empowerment, the Chairman mentioned engagement and placement of 85 women on monthly stipends to clean and sweep Abak urban roads daily to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, payment of monthly stipends as empowerment programme to Abak women, youths and stakeholders to promote self-reliance.
Others are payment of stipends to over 240 Standing Committee Members for effective administration, purchase of two official vehicles to the Leader of the Legislative Council and the Secretary of Council, and renovation of the Polyclinic Primary Healthcare Centre.
In the area of human capital development, Mrs. Charles said her administration purchased 150 JAMB forms for Abak indigenes, sponsored 10 Abak youths at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre with each receiving a monthly stipend and new laptop to enhance ICT proficiency, paid bursary to 500 students of Abak origin in various higher institutions, and provided research grants to postgraduate students of Abak origin.
The administration also established the ARISE Model Farm at Ediene Abak, provided business support packages to beneficiaries of the ARISE Compassionate Homes, distributed food items and cash gifts to vulnerable persons and orphanages within the LGA, and rolled out a business support empowerment programme for 314 beneficiaries across all villages and wards in Abak.
Reported by Akaninyene Essang
.
