The Akwa Ibom State Assembly
Today, we are commencing a series on the Legislature christened, The Gavel. This is intended to effectively highlight the activities of the Legislature inline with its important role in the sustenance of democracy. In this debut, we bring into focus the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Our Legislative Correspondent, Esther Ukpe takes a historical overview of the establishment and the journey so far. It is an interesting read.
The Akwa Ibom State House Assembly on January 20, 1992, came into existence, following the introduction of democratic rule in Nigeria. There was a fairly strange political experiment sustained by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration, who was the President of Nigeria as at then. Late (Obong) Akpan Isemin was the First Civilian Governor that made proclamation to that effect.
The newly-found legislature had at its inception, 48 pioneering legislators in Akwa Ibom State, supported by 87 Staff. 33 members from the National Republic Convention (NRC) and 15 from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were involved. Located along Udo Udoma Avenue, the Assembly Complex is quite imposing for easy identification.
It had a humble beginning having been born out of the deftdrops of a long military rule that kept truncating whatever political class was formed in the history of the Nigerians nation. There was inadequate preparation for the reintroduction of civil rule which was partial and Akwa Ibom State legislature was not spared the effect of such inadequacy.
It is however a known fact that our system of government has the truine structure of the Executive, the Legislative and Judiciary arms, and all the three arms work to complement each other for high stake achievements in the state, nation and world over. It is no doubt that these arms are working harmoniously to ensure that posterity will never forget them.
The legislature which cardinal functions are to make laws for the good of the people, represent and perform oversight functions had its first Speaker in the person of Hon. ( Chief) Jimmy Jimmy Ntuen that represented the then Afaha/Ekpenyong/Odoro Ikot/Okon State Constituency among other successors and their deputies. Some fully completed their tenures while some had partial completion.
As the second arm of government, the legislature has given enough fair views in authority and distinction in the affairs of the state government and in the eyes of the public, when looking at the democratic history of legislation in Nigeria. One can easily attest that it is a purposeful one. Taking a closer view also at the current dynamic lawmakers of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, they are determined to turn the state around through effective and impactful legislation.
They are indeed helping to provide the right route to ensuring peace and stability in governance, since creation till date.
Of a fact, since the inauguration of the 7th Assembly on June 10, 2019, the Assembly has been very effective in few months of existence. It is led by the member representing Uruan State Constituency, a second termer, Hon. Aniekan Bassey, who emerged as the Speaker. Also sworn-in were other members of various State Constituencies. The lawmakers are arguably to be the most oriented and vibrant with indelible mark of excellence through their previous records of leadership.
The lawmakers have tried to showcase that people depend on them as the voice, people’s hope, right to decision in the government, are in them. They stoop to hear from the people in the government.
From their early activities, the 7th Assembly determined and set a agenda base for duties to begin and has so far passed some bills into law while some have undergone certain stages. The 7the Assembly has shown some level of commitment and some members have recently visited their constituencies to present their scorecards as well as empower the people.
Well, as we begin this Assembly focus called ‘The GAVEL’, you deserve to know the committees set, Chairmen and members. See the list below and as you read on, we will update you weekly with in-depth activities of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in our subsequent publications. Do have a good digest.
List of The 26 Standing Committees Of The 7th Assembly
PETROLEUM COMMITTEE
1. Hon Okon Frank -Chairman – MBO
2. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
7. Hon Mfon Idung -Member
8. Hon Charity Ido -Member
9. Hon KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
10. Rt. Hkn. Anietie Eka -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
1. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh – Chairman – ESIT EKET/IBENO
2. Hon. Udeme Otong -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Efiong Bassey -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
9. Rt. Nse Ekwere -Member
10. Rt. Hon Asuquo Udo -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
12. Hon KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
COMMITTEE ON INTER – GOVERNMENTAL
1. Hon. Ifiok Udoh – Chairman – NSIT IBOM
2. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh – Deputy -Chair`man
3. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey – Member
7. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis – Member
8. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
9. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
COMMITTEE ON P UBLIC ACCOUNT
1. Hon. Charity Ido -Chairman – UKANAFUN
2. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Nse Essen -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
7. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
8. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
9. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
10. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
11. Hon Anietie Eka -Member
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS
1. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Chairman – NSIT ATAI
2. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Deputy Chairman.
3. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Denis -Member
7. Rt. Hon Uduak Odudoh -Member
8. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
10. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
11. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
12 Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND
APPROPRIATIONS
1. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh – Chairman – IKOT ABASI/EASTERN OBOLO
2. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey – Deputy Chairman.
3. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
5. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Memner
6. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
7. Hon. Udeme Otong – Member
8. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
9. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
12. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
COMMITTEE ON SECURITY, YOUTHS & SPORTS
1. Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien -Chairman – ONNA
2. Hon. KufreAbasi Edide -Deputy Chairman.
3. Rt. Hon Udo Kierian Akpan -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
6. Rt. Hon Uduak Odudoh -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
11. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
COMMITTEE ON NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC)
1. Hon. Anietie Eka -Chairman – UYO
2. Hon. Otobong Bob -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
5. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
9. Hon. Charity Udo -Member
10. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
11. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
COMMITTEE ON LABOUR AND
PRODUCTIVITY
1. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere – Chairman – IKOT EKPENE/OBOT AKARA
2. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Deputy chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
5. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Dennis Akpan -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Udo Kieran Akpan -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
9. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Member
10. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
11. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
12. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
1. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Chairman – IKONO
2. Hon. Asuquo Frank -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Eka -Member
9. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
10. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Udo Kieran -Member
COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION
1. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Chairman – ETINAN
2. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Deputy Chairman
3. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
8. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
9. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
11. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
1. Hon. Udeme Otong -Chairman – ABAK
2. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Deputy Chairman
3. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
4. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
9. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
10. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
11. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
12. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
1. Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo – Chairman – IBIONO IBOM
2. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
6. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
7. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
8. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
9. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
10. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
11. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
12. Hon. Okon Frank – Member
COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AFFAIRS
1. Rt. Hon Felicia Bassey -Chairman – (DEPUTY SPEAKER) OKOBO
2. Hon. Charity Ido -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
6. Rt. Hon Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
7. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
8. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
9. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
10. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
11. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
12. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
COMMITTEE ON LANDS AND HOUSING
1. Rt. Hon. Udo Kieran Akpan -Chairman – ORUK ANAM
2. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
8. Rt. Hon Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
10. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
11. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
12. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
13. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
1. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey – Chairman (in the interim) – (SPEAKER) URUAN
2. Rt. Hon Mark Esset -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
6. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
7. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
8. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
11. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
COMMITTEE ON WORKS & TRANSPORT
1. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Chairman – EKET
2. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
8. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
9. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
10. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
11. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
12. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC PLANNING
1. Hon. Mfon Idung -Chairman – ETIM EKPO/IKA
2. Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
5. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
8. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
9. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
10. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
11. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
12. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, RULES AND ETHICS
1. Hon. Otobong Bob -Chairman – NSIT UBIUM
2. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
4. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
12. Hon. Mfon Idung – Member
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & MINERAL RESOURCES
1. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Chairman – URUE OFFONG/ ORUKO
2. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
4. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Member
5. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
6. Hon. Otobong Bob – Member
7. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
8. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
10. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
11. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
12. Hon. Mfon Idung – Member
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE SERVICES
1. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Chairman – ORON/UDUNG UKO
2. Hon. Mfong Idung -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
5. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
7. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
8. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
9. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
10. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
11.Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
12. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Member
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, CULTURE AND TOURISM
1. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Chairman – ITU
2. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
5. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
7. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
10. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Member
11. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
12. Hon. Udeme Otong -Member
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC PETITION
1. Hon. Victor Ekwere -Chairman – MKPAT ENIN
2. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian -Member
8. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
10. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
11. Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
12.Hon. Asuquo Udo -Member
COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL DUTIES, PROJECT MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION/ AVIATION DEVELOPMENT
1. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Chairman – IBESIKPO ASUTAN
2. Rt. Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Deputy Chairman.
3. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian -Member
4. Rt. Hon Nse Essien -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh -Member
7. Hon. Ifiok Udo -Member
8. Hon. Otobong Bob -Member
9. Hon. Okon Frank -Member
10. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
12. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
COMMITTEE ON PALIAMENTARY
AFFAIRS
1. Rt. Hon Aniekan Bassey – Chairman – (SPEAKER) URUAN
2. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Deputy Chairman.
3. Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Nse Essien -Member
7. Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko -Member
8. Rt. Hon. David Lawrence -Member
9. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere -Member
10. Hon. Asuquo Udo -Member
11. Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey -Member
12. Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka -Member
COMMITTEE ON BOUNDARY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
1. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong – Chairman – INI
2. Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey -Deputy Chairman
3. Hon. Charity Ido -Member
4. Rt. Hon. Mark Esset -Member
5. Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh -Member
6. Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong -Member
7. Hon. Mfon Idung -Member
8 Hon. Ifiok Udoh -Member
9. Hon. Godwin Ekpo -Member
10. Hon Okon Asuquo Frank -Member
11. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem -Member
12. Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere – -Member
