By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party Barr Ini Ememobong and the Acting Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof Eno Ibanga were among the a list of Commissioner nominees sent to the State Assembly on Thursday by Governor Udom Emmanuel for screening.
House Speaker, Barr Aniekan Bassey who broke the news at plenary also announced other names to include state ALGON chairman who is also the chairman of Eket LGA Mr Frank Archibong, Dr Vincent Umoh, Dr (Ms) Ini Adiakpan, Mrs Enobong Mbobo, Mr Amanam Nkanga and Dr. Imo Moffat.
Bassey referred the List to the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions for further action and to report back within one week.
The list is not unconnected with widespread clamour for the reconstitution of the state executive council with some of the commissioners and special advisers seen by analysts as not doing enough for the completion agenda of the governor.
Moreover some ministries in the state have remained without commissioners for some years now and apparently slowing down their operations and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.
For instance the ministries of Agriculture, that of Local Government and Chieftain Matters have been under the supervision of other commissioners while the ministry of works had its commissioner Mr Ephraim Inyang recently appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor.
In another development, the State Assembly has reinstated the suspended Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Mr. Imo Okon, with immediate effect.
It would be recalled that the House had on May 29, 2020, following series of Petitions brought against Okon, suspended him indefinitely and directed the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to investigate the matter and report back within one month.
Presenting the Committee’s Report at Plenary on Thursday, the Chairman, Mr. Mark Esset, revealed that aside refusal to pay his Vice Chairman/ Acting Chairman’s entitlements, the suspended Chairman had also refused to pay furniture allowance and other monies to some members of Uyo Legislative Council.
Esset pointed out that the suspended Chairman had apologized for the discrepancies in the management of the Council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and promised to follow the approved guidelines as advised by the Head of Service and Head of Finance.
The House, after considering the Committee’s recommendations at the Committee of the Whole, ruled that henceforth, all revenue of Uyo Local Government Council be paid into the approved revenue collection accounts, as provided for by extant laws and guidelines.
The House also resolved that steps be taken to ensure that all allowances and entitlements of the Councillors and Supervisors are paid within three months and evidence of compliance be made available to the House through the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
