By Julius Nsikak
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has continued its inspection of local government councils across the state, praising visible development in Etinan and Nsit Ibom while expressing concern over the poor condition of parts of the Nsit Ubium Council Secretariat.
The committee, led by its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, visited Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom Local Government Councils on the fourth day of its oversight tour to assess projects executed by the councils and examine how public funds have been used.
Speaking during the visits, Idung said the exercise was carried out on the directive of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, to assess projects and ensure that council funds were being used for the benefit of the people.
He said the committee would openly acknowledge good performance and also point out areas where improvements were needed.
“We are here to inspect the projects you have carried out and see how public funds have been used. Where we find good work, we will commend it. Where we see shortcomings, we will also say so. Our aim is to encourage better service to the people,” he said.
He also advised council chairmen to maintain good working relationships with councillors and other stakeholders to ensure effective administration.
At Etinan Local Government Council, the Chairman, Hon. Uko Umoh, welcomed the lawmakers and said his administration had remained committed to improving the lives of the people since taking office in October 2024.
He listed completed projects to include the renovation of the Primary Health Centre at Ndon Utim, the rehabilitation of five water projects, the restoration of electricity to five communities through the provision of transformers and replacement of damaged electric poles, and the grading of more than 140 kilometres of rural roads.
Umoh also said the council had purchased JAMB forms for students, distributed learning materials to 41 public primary schools, provided school uniforms for pupils of Government Model School, Ikot Isong, and was concluding arrangements for bursaries for students in tertiary institutions.
He added that the council had renovated the Etinan Township Stadium, was renovating buildings within the council secretariat, established a model farm and constructed an ultra modern bus terminal commissioned in May 2026.
According to him, the council also reduced an inherited debt of ₦50 million owed to First City Monument Bank to about ₦2 million.
He said work would begin in September on the complete renovation of the council secretariat.
Responding, Idung extolled the chairman for what he described as prudent management of public funds and the execution of projects that had improved the council. He urged him to complete all ongoing projects on time to prevent them from being abandoned.
The Assembly’s Chief Whip, Chief Effiong Johnson, also commended the chairman and encouraged him to continue working closely with councillors, supervisors and council staff.
INSIDE THE CONDITIONS THAT SHOCKED LAWMAKERS AT NSIT UBIUM
The committee, however, expressed disappointment when it arrived at Nsit Ubium Local Government Council.
Although the surroundings of the secretariat were clean and attractive, the lawmakers found several offices and buildings inside the council headquarters in poor condition.
They observed leaking roofs, damaged ceilings, termite infestation, and poorly maintained toilet facilities. They also expressed concern over what appeared to be a poor working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the council.
Some residents also told this reporter that parts of the secretariat lacked electricity, water supply and functional toilet facilities.
Members of the committee inspected offices occupied by the legislative arm and described some of them as neglected and poorly maintained.
Responding, the Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Hon. Alfred Charles, said the poor condition of some offices resulted from the failure of cleaners employed by the council to carry out their duties properly.
He said the council had engaged about 20 cleaners but admitted that they had not performed as expected.
Chief Effiong Johnson said the welfare of council workers should remain a priority.
“Your staff deserve a safe, clean and healthy working environment. I expected much more,” he said.
Despite the concerns, the committee acknowledged that the council had executed several projects.
Charles said his administration had installed solar street lights and boreholes, distributed more than 20,000 learning materials to 38 primary schools, provided free JAMB forms to more than 500 candidates, upgraded the Patience Umo Eno ICT Centre and secured its accreditation as a JAMB Computer Based Test centre.
He also said the council procured more than 250 computers, graded roads, reconstructed lock up shops and market sheds, renovated the executive and legislative chambers, completed a 1,600 metre perimeter fence around the secretariat and was carrying out landscaping within the council premises.
While recognising these projects, the committee insisted that the condition of the council offices required urgent attention.
Nsit Ibom stands out with quality projects
At Nsit Ibom Local Government Council, the committee expressed satisfaction with both the condition of the secretariat and the projects executed by the administration.
The lawmakers inspected offices occupied by the chairman, vice chairman, secretary to the council, Head of Local Government Service, directors, supervisors, councillors and other staff, describing the facilities as neat and well maintained.
Projects inspected included the construction of access roads within the council secretariat, installation of transformers in several communities, construction of a Youth Development Centre, grading of roads across the 11 wards, construction of a police post, purchase of a 65 KVA generator, establishment of a model farm and several empowerment programmes.
Idung commended the Chairman, Hon. (Mrs) Otobong Aaron, for what he described as quality leadership, especially in infrastructure and agriculture. He urged other council chairmen to emulate her commitment to grassroots development.
Hon. Eric Akpan also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting local government financial autonomy and commended Governor Umo Eno for ensuring that the policy was implemented in Akwa Ibom State.
He applauded Otobong Aaron for providing a conducive working environment for council staff and delivering projects that directly benefit the people.
Other members of the committee, including Chief Effiong Johnson, Hon. Precious Selong and Hon. Uwem Imo-Ita, also commended the Nsit Ibom chairman for her performance.
The committee is expected to continue its inspection of other local government councils across the state as part of its oversight responsibilities aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and effective grassroots governance.
