NLC, CHRAN Kick Against Insfratructure, Asset Management Bill... Advocate Moves To Provide Food, Electricity

 

By Asuquo Edem 

The Public Hearing on a Bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom Infrastructure and Assets Management Maintenance Agency experienced discordant tunes from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Centre For Human Rights Accountability Network.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Akwa Ibom State Branch, Comrade Sunny James while presenting his memo, charged government to rather channel it's energy and resources towards putting food on the table for it's citizens as the present astronomical cost of food was making it impossible for majority of families to feed. 

"we need the bill on agriculture that talks about how people can eat, we are looking for a bill that would give Ibom Power Plant what is needed  to generate electricity for artisans and other employers of labour to use. We need a bill that will empower whichever ministry either that of Works or AKROIMA to fix the many potholes on Abak road. Right now,  Akwa Ibom workers are hungry and angry and by Tuesday we will be here to present our letter of anger to the House of Assembly. We are not comfortable going forward".

He advocated that the House channels it's energy towards "workers oriented bills" since it seems those from the executive are no longer workers friendly. 

Comrade James expressed worry why the bill was neccesary when the State already had the Ministry of Special Duties and the office of the SSG.

Also presenting his memo,  the Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights Accountability Network,  Comrade Franklyn Isong expressed fears that the Bill may be used to cover up the activities of AKROIMA as the agency had failed in its responsibilities going by the numerous potholes that has taken over even the State Capital. He called for a probe of the Agency. 

In his opening remarks, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.(Elder) Udeme Otong described a bill as one that would ensure the entrenchment of maintenance culture in the State.

The Speaker who was represented by the Member representing Etim-Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, noted that the decision by the Governor to follow due legislative process in the establishment of the agency is a confirmation of his democratic disposition, and therefore deserves commendation “for always setting worthy examples at a point in time".

He listed the objectives of the bill to include; provision for effective preservation and maintenance of assets owned and controlled by the State government; to provide a uniform management framework for sustainability, effeciency and accountability in the use and management of such assets; ensure coordination in the use of assets within the service delivery objectives of the State government among others.

“As we go through the necessary House procedures for unveiling the detailed version of the bill for today's purpose of public evaluation, i urge all of us to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to indeed prove ourselves genuine stakeholders in the fortune and development of Akwa Ibom State".

On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Special Projects, Monitoring and Implementation, Hon. Uwem Peter Imoh-Ita, said the bill came at a time of Keen public expectations, in line with Governor Umo Eno's resolve to prioritize infrastructural maintenance and advancement as encapsulated in the ARISE AGENDA of this government.

“This bill is a fulfillment of one of the core goals of His Excellency, the Governor to invest tremendously in infrastructural maintenance,  advancement and ICT development in the State".

The Attorney General who was represented by Ime Obot Esq, Chairman AKROIMA, Godwin Ntukudeh, Engr. Ben from the Nigeria Society of Engineers and a representative from Policy Alert also made representations.