By Edet Okpo
When news broke in 2023 that Dr. ( Barr) Ekong Sampson was entering the race for the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District National Assembly election, it did not sound as any surprise to the people of the senatorial district who already knew him and his towering record of dedicated public service. The news had been a long-awaited declaration from one of the soundest brains, celebrated lawmaker, cerebral scholar, investor cum entrepreneur, and advocate of the masses. So, the atmosphere was that of ecstasy, frenzied applause, and great expectations. Hence, in spite of what looked like shadow of opposition from self-serving jokers in the senate race, the question amongst the electorate was never if Dr. ( Barr) Ekong Sampson will win but if the election was going to be free and fair for him to win overwhelmingly. And because the election was free and fair, the winner was known even long before half the ballot was counted.
That historic victory ushered Akwa Ibom South ( Eket)Senatorial District into a new era of redemption; of reclamation of lost opportunities of previous years; and for a paradigm shift in people-oriented legislative engagements. In other words, the people of Akwa Ibom South ( Eket)senatorial district were waiting on their toes for the day an outstanding personality like Dr.( Barr.) Ekong Sampson would step into the arena. This shared expectation was predicated on his impeccable public service and unquestionable democratic credentials, evidenced in previous offices he occupied such as former Councilor , former Chairman, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area; a two term former Member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Special Adviser On Political and Legislative Matters, and Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State Executive Council. That's to say that Dr. Barr. Ekong Sampson went to the National Assembly on a springboard of cumulative experience in public stewardship, quality service delivery, unwavering patriotism, with deep knowledge of Akwa Ibom South political history, pressing concerns, and expectations of a people he has lived with and served all his public service life.
Of course, it can be said that after the memorable days of distinguished Senator Victor Akan of blessed memory, Distinguished Senator Udo Udoma and distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi, It is in this regime of distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson that Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District is experiencing the new breeze of quality dividends of democracy and noiseless impact of good representation. Unarguably , Senator Ekong Sampson knew he was going to the National Assembly as a catalyst. It was a matter of trust and pedigree. He went there to replicate and improve upon his scorecard on a larger platform. It is gladdening that, as rightly expected, the five-star performing Senator has not disappointed the people of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, and the country at large. His scorecard speaks volumes!
From assumption of office as a Senator on June 13, 2023, he gave early strong signals of his intentions when, just within the first 100 days, he successfully opened a Constituency Office to fully integrate the grassroots into his all inclusive blueprints. He augmented that with his cerebral and firebrand sponsorship of strategic people-oriented and development-inclined bills in the National Assembly, Such as a Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; bill for establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Akwa Ibom South; and a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Medical Sciences in Eket. His known voice was also loudly heard and felt in the ongoing processes for the upgrade of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to a Federal University university of Maritime Studies, Oron. And most recently, his consequential collaboration with the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Dr. Godswill Akpabio, GCON, in championing a cause for the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State; establishment of the South-South Development Commission with the Headquarters to be sited in Akwa Ibom State, amongst others..
Senator Ekong Sampson is also credited with having sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Development Corporation, to expand the frontiers of the country’s mining sector and also moved critical motions which have received or are receiving robust Legislative action s.
The Senator's attachment and passion for grassroots development and impact are second to none. To give that the attention and supervision it rightly deserves, he first set up a Special Constituency Projects Assessment and Implementation Committee as an instrument to oversee the infrastructural projects. The Committee is made up of eggheads and celebrated technocrats selected amongst constituents of his Senatorial District. The projects and programmes are strategically and evenly spread across education, healthcare, infrastructure, human capacity building, geology, agriculture, sustainable empowerment and entrepreneurship and mentorship training.
It would be recalled that on Monday, October 21, 2024, the senator sponsored over 300 journalists and ICT experts from the senatorial district on a-youth and women training seminar. The training exercise spanned across mining; fashion and design; confectionery; advocacy; etc. In the end, participants went home with huge cash incentives and certificates of participation.
Under education, there are construction of staff quarters at Excellence College, Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin; fencing to commence at St. Vincent Secondary School, Oti-Oro, Okobo Local Government Area; ICT Centres at St. Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, Eket LGA; St. Vincent School, Oti-Oro, Okobo; and Excellence College, Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin; work to soon begin on construction of staff quarters at Community Secondary School, Udung Uko LGA; Construction of science laboratory at Community Technical school, Eyokpifie, Urueffong Oruko; and boarding facilities at Excellence College, Mkpat Enin. Others include construction of school blocks at Amadaka, Eastern Obolo; Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; (about to begin).
In healthcare, Senator Ekong Sampson operates with the popular mentality that "health is wealth". As such, he has invested resources in promoting good healthcare services to the people. They include construction of major medical facilities in general hospitals in Iquita, Oron; Immanuel Hospital Eket; and General Hospital, Ikot Abasi. Today, the atmosphere is inundated with testimonies from beneficiaries for whom the stress of travelling for many kilometres to secure Medicare has been drastically reduced.
Infrastructure has also been a critical plank in Senator Ekong Sampson's blueprint. Roads have been graded. There has been provision of electricity projects at Eyobiasang in Urueffong Oruko; Okon Eket; while that of Ikot Umiang is to begin soon; solar street lights in Udung Uko; Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin; erosion control project at Ekeya, Okobo; and many access roads into farm and fishing settlements.
Besides, he has also facilitated employment for constituents into top federal parastatals, armed forces and in the private sector. The summation is that already, the senator has empowered over 1000 constituents with education and business grants; over 1200 bags of fertilizer to farmers’ co-operatives, among others.
Ekong Sampson has been an audible and respectable voice on the floor of the Senate. His advocacy and active contributions to the rehabilitation of federal roads in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District ; Commencement of Ibom Deep Seaport; Federal University of Agriculture; and completion of Nkari Dam. For the emphasis, it is good to hear that the billion dollar-spinning Aluminum Smelter Company in Ikot Abasi that had been closed for years will soon return to boost the economy of the country, providing employment and value chain-effect dynamics. Nobody in the Senate has been as vocal and even vociferous on this possibility like Senator Sampson.
Senator Sampson has never minced words about why he desired and stepped into the arena on his way to the Senate. He went there to change stories and prove that things can work with the right heart attitude and the most qualified person in positions of leadership. At several fora, he never failed to state this: “My commitment to taking Akwa Ibom South to Nigeria, and Nigeria to Akwa Ibom South, as well as offering effective representation has been steadily on course. I have remained very focused on my dual mandates of legislative business and oversight constituency engagements, ensuring that both the formal and informal aspects of my representation are well taken care of…I will continue to run a consultative representation…to reposition our senatorial district for the greater good of all”.
There is no exaggeration in the above statement. Senator Ekong has clearly proven that he knows why he went to the Senate. Of course, it can be said without sentiments or fear of contradiction that, unlike the past, today Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District is constantly on tongues of constituents, the media and a recurrent source of discourses - all on account of the breath of fresh air of quality representation that has been made by Senator Ekong Sampson. Perhaps, two of the most outstanding things about him is the equitable way he has spread the dividends of democracy. If there is any Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District that has not been massively touched, it means that it is a matter of time for such to come in the senator's encompassing and unfolding blueprint. Another is his regular interface with constituents almost on monthly basis. Arguably, no senator in the 10th Senate has been as close to his people as Senator Ekong Sampson.
However, what Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District needs now is consolidation. This spectacular first term engagement by Senator Ekong Sampson should be reciprocated in 2027.
* Edet Okpo, Media and Image Management Consultant is the Chairman, Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals.*
Comments
Post a Comment