Speaker of the 7th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Aniekan Bassey, has said the concept of Collaboration and Cooperation of Powers should be passionately emulated by the three arms of government for the good of the society.
The Speaker, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, spoke of the concept of collaboration of powers in relation to the 2020 Budget and the expectations of the people.
He said “Though we are separate arms of government, we must always find a way to converge our separation for the sake of our people. And this we do through the converge of cooperation and collaboration. This concept is very important and very necessary in our democracy, because without the actual cooperation and collaboration of all arms of government, the separation cannot work. I therefore, propose to my colleagues nationwide the concept of cooperation and collaboration of powers. The legislature needs to make laws and perform its oversight functions in such a way as to assist the executive and judiciary to perform. That is cooperation of powers. If the three arms of government cooperate and collaborate, there will be less political frictions that will hamper the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people.”
The statement further urged legislature at all levels to support the concept of cooperation and collaboration of powers, stressing that “if cooperation and collaboration of powers are practised, our separation of powers will be very well regarded and the people will be the better for it.”
The Speaker appreciated the state government for always making the process of budget presentation smooth, saying “In Akwa Ibom, it has always been smooth because we run a seamless governance template where, though we are separate arms of government, we align together in all areas of mutual interest for the benefit of our people and society.”
“The Governor presented a total estimate of N597.8 billion, made up of N228.158b as recurrent estimates and N369.642b for capital estimate. The 7th Assembly will look at the Budget closely and come out with one that will take the state to the next level in development,” he added.
“I have to commend Governor Udom Emmanuel. He knows fully well that we represent the very people who made it possible for him to be Governor. So, there is hardly any decision on the state of the state that is taken without due consultation with us. The 7th Assembly will continually be a veritable partner in progress with the executive for the purpose of giving Akwa Ibom people the deserved dividend of democracy,” the statement maintained.
