Akwa Ibom Assembly Confirms 27 Commissioner-Nominees

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has confirmed 27 nominees for Appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers.

The names of the nominees were forwarded to the lawmakers two weeks ago by Governor Umo Eno

This confirmation came after a thorough screening exercise, where the state’s legislators reviewed the nominees’ qualifications and experience.

The house committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions, chaired by Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, was the committee that undertook the screening exercise.

The confirmed nominees include Elder Aniekan Umanah, Dr. Henry Archibong, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, and Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, among others. The list also features Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd.), Mr. Bob Almond Emem, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, and Dr. Offiong Offor, to name a few.

Other nominees who made the cut are Barr. Kufre Udosen, General Koko Essien (rtd), Hon. Ubuo Effiong Ubuo, Prof. Ubong Essien, Dr. Anietie Udofia, Elder Paul Bassey, and Hon. Ikoedem Ekong.

It is worth noting that the legislature had previously confirmed 20 nominees on Tuesday and adjourned to reconsider the remaining seven, which have now been confirmed.

The Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, presided over the legislative session, mandated the Assembly’s Clerk, Mrs. Nsikak Orok, to forward the House’s resolution to the governor .

Akwa Ibom has 31 local government councils with some councils having two nominees while some councils have none which has generated criticism in some quarters.

Meanwhile, the state’s legislature had earlier drawn attention to the need to grow the economy of the state by reducing food based capital flight.

This follows a motion titled, “Need to Stop Capital Flight from the State through the Cultivation and Production of Inter-State Dependent Food Product”, sponsored by Hon. (Prince) Ukpong Akpabio .

The sponsor who is the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency expressed displeasure over the state’s continued dependence on inter-state food supply, noting that it is an existential threat to Akwa Ibom residents and a significant disruption in the supply chain, leading to starvation and civil disturbance.

The speaker again directed the clerk to communicate the house’s resolution to the appropriate quarters for follow-up action.

Subsequently, the legislative session was adjourned to hold again Thursday, February 27.

Akwa Ibom Assembly Confirms 27 Commissioner-Nominees is first published on The Whistler Newspaper