Nsikak Akpan
To ensure its smooth operations, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has inaugurated 26 House Committees.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong who inaugurated the committees today at plenary, thanked the ad-hoc committee on selection for a job well done, urged all the Committee Chairmen and members to start work immediately.
The Committees include, Advisory Committee on Parliamentary Matters with Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong as Chairman.
~Committee on Women Affairs,social welfare and cooperative headed by Hon. Selina Ukpatu (Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo), Committee on Information headed by Hon. Jerry Otu, Committee on Health with Hon. Moses Essien as Chairman, the Committee on Boundary and Conflict Resolution which has Hon. Precious Selong
and the Committee on Science and Technology chaired by Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot
Others are Committee on Education with Hon. Kenim Onofiok, Committee on Security, Youth and Sports headed by Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo, Committee on Rural Development, Power, Water and Public Utilities – Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo, Committee on Industry, Commerce and Tourism – Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, Committee on Inter-Governmental, Political and Special Matters has Hon. Emem Udom while Committee on NDDC is headed by Rt. Hon. Kufre Edidem, the Committee on Appropriation and Finance has Hon. Dr. Itoro Etim with the Committee on Public Accounts headed by Hon. Eric Akpan
The Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is headed by Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, the Committee on Works and Transport has Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob as chairman, Committee on Agriculture – Hon. Ubong Attah.
The remaining are Committee on House Services – Hon. Lawrence Udoide, Committee on Environment- Hon. Bassey Pius, Committee on Labour and Productivity – Hon. Sunday Johnny, Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges – Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, Committee on Judiciary, Justice and Public Petition – Hon. Aniefiok Attah, Committee on Special Projects, Monitoring and Implementation – Hon. Hon. Uwem Imoh-ita, Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Renewal – Hon. Samson Idiong, Committee on Economic Planing and Development – Hon. Nsidibe Akata and Committee on Petroleum Matters with Hon. Udobia Friday.
Also at plenary, a motion was brought before the house, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob titled, “A call for recognition and Honour of an Akwa Ibom indigene and a native of Nsit Ubium, Ms. Hilda Bassey as she recently was certified Guinness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual christened “Hilda Bassey Cook-a-thon”.
Hon. Bob who recalled that Ms. Bassey cooked for 93 hours, 11 minutes, created more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals, including local delicacies peculiar to Akwa Ibom State, noted that the cookathon gathered momentum globally and throughout the federation as celebrities and dignitaries came through to support her.
In his motion, he reminded the house that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has a custom of giving commendations and recognitions to citizens who attained remarkable successes in their chosen field of endeavours and gained global attention.
He prayed that the house should officially commend her for the success recorded to serve as a morale booster and encouragement to her and others who may wish to attempt such feat in their various fields of endeavours and urged the State Government to include Bassey among the Honour Roll of the State in the next State anniversary celebration.
Responding, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok to officially issue a congratulatory message on behalf of the House to Bassey after the motion received overwhelming support by members.
A bill for a Law to provide Easy Access to Higher Education for Akwa Ibom Students through interest free Loans from the State Education Bank Established in this Law with a view to provide Education for all Akwa Ibom Students and for Related matters by Barr. Otobong Bob also scaled through the first reading and was committed to the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for rescheduling.
The House adjourned its plenary to resume on the 11th of July, 2023.
