The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has reinstated the suspended Chairman of Abak Local Government Council, Barr. Imoh Williams.
Recall that the House at Plenary on Thursday, July 25, 2019, suspended the Chairman from office after it received a Matter of Urgent Public Importance of an alleged assault meted on one Mr. Godwin Abraham on the orders of Barr. Williams.
Presenting the report, which was referred to the House Committed on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for proper action by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan, at Plenary on Tuesday, Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, told the House that “the suspended Abak Local Government Council Chairman had since tendered an apology to the victim and the entire state on the unfortunate incident,” stating that the assailant, Mr Uduakobong Samekpo, has learnt a bitter lesson and will never repeat such gruesome act in the future.
According to the report, “Hon. Imoh williams did not authorize Mr Uduakobong Samekpo to beat up Mr. Godwin Abraham, but rather showed disapproval by sacking Mr Samekpo as his Aide.”
Accordingly, the House after adopting the report and recommendations of the Committee, resolved that the suspended Abak Local Government Chairman, Hon. Imoh Williams be reinstated, as no case of abuse was established.
The House also urged Hon. Imoh Williams to ensure that he screens and trains his Aides against overzealousness and brazen acts of impunity.
The Speaker further directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to communicate the resolution of the House to the appropriate authorities.
The House, also at Plenary, considered a Bill for a Law to upgrade the Akwa Ibom State School of Health Technology to a College of Health Technology for second reading.
Speaking on the merits of the proposed Bill, the lead sponsor, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis, said “the Bill, when passed into law and subsequently assented to by the Governor, will enable the Institution to assess grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, for improved infrastructure.”
Some of members that spoke in support of the Bill, including the member representing Nsit Atai State Constituency, Rt. Hon Mark Esset, said the Bill will ensure the training of health personnel that will man the various health facilities built by Governor Udom Emmanuel and that the 7th Assembly will be remembered for good, when the Bill is passed into law.
Another, the member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudo, maintained that “the school, when changed from the current status to a College of Health Technology, will gain recognition from the National Board for Technical Education (NABTE).”
The proposed Bill also got the support of Barrister Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubium), Hon. Aniekan Eka (Uyo), Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong (INI), Obong godwin Ekpo (Ibiono Ibom), Hon. Mfon Idung (Ika/Etim Ekpo), Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey (Oron/Udung Uko), Rt. Hon. David Lawrence (Eket), and Dr Usoro Akpanusoh (Esit Eket/Ibeno).
The Deputy Speaker, Princess Felicia Bassey (Okobo), Hon. Udeme Otong (Abak), among others also supported the Proposed Bill, saying “It will ensure professionalism in the health sector.”
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned its plenary to reconvene on Thursday, 19 September, 2019.
Press Unit,
Office of the Speaker,
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
