The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, said the ongoing 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Regional Conference, “has offered members of the state legislature ample opportunity in parliamentary and diplomatic relations as well as enhancing our legislative capacity.”
CPA exists to develop, promote and support parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and to implement the enduring values of the commonwealth
Speaking from Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Tuesday, Rt. Hon. Bassey, who led Honourable Members and staff of the State Assembly to the Conference, themed “E-Parliament: Seamless Platform for Facilitating Democracy,” said the event, and many others, will aid the 7th Assembly achieve its legislative agenda, work to support good governance, democracy and human rights.
The Speaker, through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, further said “Honourable Members and staff of the State Assembly are turbocharged to maximize every opportunity that CPA will offer towards enhancing and strengthening the existing robust legislature-executive relationship in Akwa Ibom.”
Rt. Hon. Bassey, according to the statement, expressed optimism that members of the State Assembly will take advantage of all the sessions including discussions at plenary on “Parliamentary Affairs: The Use of ICT in Strengthening Public Involvement in the Legislative Process; Social Affairs: The Use of Social Media in Enhancing Parliamentarians’ Constituency Engagement, Gender Affairs: Empowerment of Women: Strategies to Enable Women’s Participation in Decision Making; Youth Affairs: Implementation of Youth Policies as a Tool to Combat Migration.”
The statement also informed that the Akwa Ibom delegation will take active part in other discussions including “Economic Affairs: Enhancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use in Providing Life-Changing Solutions in Rural Communities, and Political Affairs: The Role of Technology in Developing Democratic Practices.”
The Akwa Ibom delegation included the Deputy Speaker, Princess Felicia Bassey (Okobo); House Leader, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan (Oruk Anam); Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey (INI); Deputy House Leader, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis (Etinan), and Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien (ONNA).
Others are Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey (Oron/Udung Uko); Rt. Hon. David Lawrence (Eket); Rt. Hon. Uduak Ududoh (Ikot Abas/Eastern Obolo); Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong (Urue Offong Oruko); Hon. Ifiok Udoh (Nsit Ibom); Hon. Mfon Idung (Abak); Hon. Udeme Otong (Etim Ekpo); Deputy Clerk, Barrister Anietie Eka, and the Protocol Officer, Mr, Ndiuwem Okuku.
