The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Barr. Ime Okon, has urged Governor Udom Emmanuel to consider creating additional Clans for Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area and other Local Government Areas of the state who are in same needs.
The lawmaker spoke recently with newsmen shortly after plenary where he moved a “Motion for a holistic review of existence clans in Akwa Ibom State.”
Barr Okon, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Information, commended the Governor for creating additional clans for Essien Udim, Uruan and ONNA, saying “the Governor never erred in doing so.”
While describing Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area as the third largest LGA in terms of population, one of the highest in terms of land mass, regretted that the area has only two Clans to take care of the needs of 221 villages that compound it.
While describing Governor Emmanuel as a listening Governor, he revealed that his constituents had earlier presented its case to the past administration without response, but expressed optimism that “the present administration will salvage the plight of members of his constituent as government was continuum.”
His prayers at plenary read thus: “Whereas Akwa Ibom State presently has 2664 recognized villages for statutory functions, out of which Ibiono Ibom alone has 221, the highest in the state. In terms of population, we are ranked the 3rd most populated council areas after Uyo and Essien Udim LGAs, with a population of 188,605 going by the 2006 census figure.”
“In land mass and in size, Ibiono Ibom is one of the highest local government areas, but regrettably with only two recognized clans Viz; Ibiono and Ikpanya clans…we are consoled that, our governor, being a listening father, who is always desirous of correcting any wrongs or injustice on his people, duly brought to his attention. Ibiono Ibom has only two clans; Ikpanya with only 5-7 villages, while the other clan has more than 200 villages making up just one clan. We need more clan to facilitate the development in our constituency. We learnt that, the governor recently approved the creation of a clan each in Onna, Essien Udim and Uruan. Considering our plight, we thought, he could reciprocate same gesture to Ibiono.”
Meanwhile, a motion to receive the prayers of Barr Okon was moved by Deputy House Leader, Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Felicia Bassey.
The Speaker, Barr Onofiok Luke, in his reaction assured that the motion would be considered and deliberated upon by members in the next plenary.
In another development, the Speaker also administered oaths of allegiance to members of the Assembly whose election were annulled by the Court of Appeal and where reelected by their constituents.
They were Barr Denis Akpan for Etinan State Constituency; Elder Aniekan Uko for Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency; Mr. Idongesit Ntekpere for Ikot Ekpene /Obot Akara State Constituency and Mr. Effiong Bassey for Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency.
