Itoro BASSEY
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, is being described as the “Working Speaker” by his colleagues in the House, particularly during plenary.
The Member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika state constituency, Hon Mfon Idung, has given reasons for this encouraging nickname for the Speaker.
Idung says the Speaker is a leader “who matches his words with action”, stressing that the nickname came up because of the way he (Speaker) has continued to hold the state legislative arm as one, and how he has handled the affairs of the House so far.
Idung said this while fielding questions from Assembly correspondents shortly after plenary, last week, where he moved a motion on the continuous deaths from ghastly vehicular accidents at Utu Etim Ekpo roundabout, and called for immediate action to save humanity.
Idung said: “The harmony that is existing between the members is not an issue of saying this person is a Speaker; and that person is an ordinary member. Everybody likes to work with him.
“And we address him as a Working Speaker because he matches his words with action.
“Any other person would want to take the money, in terms of keeping this premises clean, and put in his pocket. But he doesn’t want to do that.
“He believes that if the environment is friendly, people would sit down comfortably and do their legislative work.
“And you can see that our relationship with the executive is cordial, courtesy of the Speaker.
“Everybody, including the assembly staff working here are comfortable with him at the helm of affairs”.
The lawmaker eulogised the Speaker, reeling out some achievements he had either personally conceptualised or supported and guided the House to see through.
He added that meaningful and impactful motions and bills have been initiated and passed under Speaker Bassey’s leadership.
