By Mfonobong UKPONG
The leadership of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is to meet with the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and heads of security agencies in the state for an interface on efforts by the government and the security organisations in handling the security situation plaguing Ukanafun and environs.
This was part of the resolution passed by House of Assembly on Tuesday following a matter of urgent public importance raised by the Member representing Ukanafun State constituency, Hon. Otobong Jonathan. While commending Governor Udom Emmanuel and security agencies in the state for steps so far taken in bringing the situation in Ukanafun, Etim-Ekpo and environs under check, the legislature urged the Governor and security chiefs to do more in this regard, as Akwa Ibom people were longing for a lasting solution to the security problem in the affected areas.
Members of the House also asked the state government to ameliorate the sufferings and mitigate the losses incurred by the people in Ukanafun, Etim-Ekpo and its environs especially that occasioned by the burning down of a market in Ukanafun.
Pleading with his colleagues in the House to draw government’s attention to the wanton destruction carried out by criminal elements in his constituency, the lawmaker representing Ukanafun state constituency, Hon. Otobong Jonathan had informed the House that his local government area was engulfed in protracted security crisis which has affected socio-economic activities in the area. He particularly drew the attention of the Assembly to a recent attack on a popular market in Ukanafun, Urua Akpan Eshiet by yet to be identified gun-wielding hoodlums who reportedly stormed the market and set the entire building on fire.
“Ukanafun is plagued with security challenges. Hoodlums recently invaded the area and burnt down Urua Akpan Eshiet market. That market is a major source of livelihood and Major source of revenue to our local government”.
Hon. Jonathan however acknowledged the efforts so far deployed by Governor Udom Emmanuel in tackling the security situation in the area, but demanded that there should be an increase in the number of military personnel stationed in the crisis ridden Ukanafun.
In their contributions, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Felicia Bassey, House Leader, Sir. Udo Kerian Akpan, Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. David Lawrence, member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State constituency, Hon. Aniekan Uko, lawmaker for Itu, Hon. Idongesit Ituen and the representative of Mbo, Hon. Samuel Ufuo, sympathised with Hon. Jonathan and the people of Ukanafun over the sad incident, and condemned in totality the activities of criminal elements who have held Ukanafun and environs hostage by their dastardly acts. They lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for steps so far taken to restore peace in the area and other parts of the state, and enjoined security agencies to be proactive in tackling crime in the state.
Reacting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke commended the Ukanafun lawmaker, Hon. Otobong Jonathan for raising the matter of urgent public importance before the House, saying the legislature decided to accord the matter with speedy attention owing to the nature of the situation on ground in Ukanafun.
“We didn’t delay because of the nature of the matter. We had to give it the seriousness it deserves”.
He hailed Governor Udom Emmanuel for being proactive in tackling the security situation in Ukanafun, Etim-Ekpo and its environs. The Speaker also commended heads of security agencies in the state for cooperating with the Governor to ensure a peaceful state.
“We pledge our commitment to cooperate with the Governor and security agencies as a House of Assembly to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry”.
