By Julius Nsikak
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, has urged local government chairmen across the state to pay greater attention to the condition of their council secretariat, stressing that the state of the administrative environment reflects the quality of leadership at the grassroots.
Speaking at the beginning of the fifth day of the statewide oversight tour and reiterating the message at its conclusion, Idung reminded the council chairmen that effective leadership is measured not only by the execution of developmental projects but also by the condition of their council secretariat.
He urged them to ensure their administrative offices remain clean, orderly and conducive to efficient service delivery, stressing that the state of a council headquarters reflects the standard of governance at the grassroots.
The committee subsequently visited Onna, Okobo, Nsit Atai and Uruan Local Government Areas to assess projects executed by the various administrations and determine whether expenditure aligns with the monthly allocations received directly from the Federal Government.
At Onna Local Government Area, the committee expressed satisfaction with the council’s performance, particularly its investments in education, healthcare and human capital development.
The committee chairman, however, raised concerns over environmental sanitation and the condition of some facilities within the council secretariat, urging the leadership to improve cleanliness and create a more conducive working environment.
Presenting his scorecard, the Chairman of Onna Local Government Council, Hon. Kufre Umoren, highlighted the ongoing construction of a Smart Executive Council Building, the award of contracts for internal roads within the council secretariat, sponsorship of cancer treatment for patients, road grading across communities, rehabilitation of community water projects and the facilitation of a Zenith Bank branch in Onna. He also disclosed that his administration awarded ₦250,000 each to Law School graduates from the area, presented ₦500,000 each to three first class graduates of Akwa Ibom State University and provided scholarships and educational grants to more than 20 students pursuing Master’s and Doctoral degrees, among several other educational interventions.
In Okobo Local Government Area, the committee described the council’s performance as highly commendable.
Idung applauded the Chairman, Rt. Hon. George Henshaw, for executing projects across infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and human capital development, noting that they reflected prudent utilisation of public resources. He encouraged the administration to sustain the momentum.
Other members of the committee, including the member representing Okobo State Constituency, Hon. Bassey Pius, also commended the chairman for the visible transformation recorded across the local government.
Among the projects presented were the completion and furnishing of the Pastor Legislative Block, ongoing construction of a mini stadium, a 300-seat Computer Based Test Centre and the Atak Oro Modern Market, expansion of Obio Ufre, extensive road grading and rehabilitation, installation and rehabilitation of electricity infrastructure, provision of solar-powered boreholes, bursaries and scholarships for students, empowerment programmes for women and youths, agricultural projects, security interventions, healthcare programmes and the successful resolution of longstanding communal disputes.
At Nsit Atai Local Government Area, the committee commended the council for its commitment to infrastructure renewal, healthcare delivery, agriculture and social welfare. Rt. Hon. Idung observed that the projects inspected demonstrated value for public funds and advised the council to maintain existing facilities to ensure long-term benefits for residents.
The Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Council, Hon. Anthony Nyong, listed projects including the construction of a new administrative building, renovation of the council hall, construction of the perimeter fence and main gate, landscaping of the secretariat, rehabilitation of more than 60 kilometres of roads across the ten wards, installation and repair of transformers, rehabilitation of solar-powered water facilities, free medical outreaches, more than 70 free surgeries, establishment of the Umo Eno Model Farm, distribution of classroom furniture, school bags and 25,000 customised exercise books, refurbishment of official vehicles, sponsorship of athletes to the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, business support initiatives and assistance to persons living with disabilities.
The committee concluded the day’s inspection at Uruan Local Government Area, where Rt. Hon. Idung commended the administration of the council chairman, Hon. Iniobong Ekpenyong, for implementing projects that directly impact residents through healthcare, security, sports development, road maintenance and youth empowerment.
He nevertheless advised the council to improve the appearance of its administrative offices by ensuring they remain clean, orderly and conducive for effective service delivery.
Hon. Ekpenyong informed the committee that his administration had organised the Chairman’s Cup football competition, ensured regular payment of workers’ entitlements, sponsored 13 indigenes for skills acquisition training, engaged more than 100 youths through direct labour, restored electricity to several communities, rehabilitated roads, installed solar street lights, provided logistics support to healthcare workers, remodelled police facilities, constructed internal roads and drainage, commissioned power substations, renovated council offices, empowered residents financially, improved sanitation facilities and supported breastfeeding mothers during immunisation campaigns.
Reacting to the presentation, the member representing Uruan State Constituency, Hon. Itoro Etim, commended the council chairman for his commitment to repositioning the local government through people-centred policies and impactful infrastructural development.
At the end of the inspections, Rt. Hon. Idung commended the four councils for the developmental projects executed across their respective areas.
He reiterated that while infrastructure and social interventions remain essential, council chairmen must also ensure their secretariat are properly maintained, clean and organised, as the administrative environment should reflect the standard of leadership expected at the grassroots.
