By Kufre Okon
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly recently celebrating its silver jubilee. For the state legislature, the last 25 years have been eventful. As an institution, the state government’s lawmaking arm has made remarkable progress over the years in its core mandate areas of lawmaking, advocacy, oversight and representation.
No doubts, it has also suffered its fair share of setbacks, mostly occasioned by the country’s wavering polity since creation of the state in September 1987. Intra and inter-party strife, executive interference, as well as members’ constant divide along ideological and party lines have, in the past, caused some forms of instability in the state legislature. Between January 1992 and November 1993, for instance, less than two years of her existence, the first assembly had three Speakers. Subsequent sessions also suffered similar fate in terms of incessant leadership shifts.
Nevertheless, in spite of the above drawbacks, all the six assembles of the state legislature so far have had a common history of leaving significant marks in their time. The First Assembly readily comes to mind as one that experimented requisite legislative frameworks and laid the foundation upon which subsequent assemblies were built. Ardent followers of the activities of the first assembly are wont to give it credit for its vibrancy, which has, over the years, been the hallmark of the Akwa Ibom State legislature.
As democracy in the country deepens, successive legislatures in the state have continued to draw inspiration from the challenges and achievements of the first Assembly. Originally led by Hon. Jimmy Jimmy Ntuen, the first assembly made history in electing a woman, Obonganwan Grace Edim-Inyang of then Itu/Oma/Itam State Constituency, as Deputy Speaker, at a time women played less visible role in politics in Nigeria. The Assembly deliberated on 28 executive and private member bills, 8 of which were signed into law, thereby attaining the feat of being one of Nigeria’s most dynamic state legislatures at the time.
The Akwa Ibom legislature made no less towering achievements in the second Assembly, which came with the return of the Nigerian democracy in 1999. The 26-member parliament from the 26 restructured state constituencies had, by the end of the Assembly in 2003, received more than 50 bills. Again, the role of women in the promotion of democracy was seriously acknowledged with the formation and active engagement of the Legislators’ Wives Association (LEWA), platform for unity and constructive engagement of wives of Legislators.
The third Assembly, inaugurated on of June 2, 2003 also made remarkable achievements. The pro-people concerns of the Chief Nelson Effiong-led Assembly was reflected in the over 20 bills, multiple resolutions and motions passed by the House within its 4-year lifespan. It was at this time that the People’s Assembly mantra became widely associated with the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The fourth Assembly (June, 2007 – June, 2011) was a continuation of the streak of superior performances of the previous sessions. First headed by Chief Ignatius Edet, and later by Hon Anietie Etuk, this Assembly profoundly stood out as one, which took legislative oversight to unprecedented heights. Periodic briefings and consultations with constituents also became a norm in this Assembly. Several bills and resolutions were also passed, most of which were the anchor lines to the transformation projects of the then Governor Godswill Akpabio administration.
It is instructive to emphasise that three key mandates underscore the calling of a lawmaker. These are: representation, lawmaking and oversight. These functions were obviously achieved in the 5th assembly led by Hon. Sam Ikon. The proactive leadership of the house promoted legislative oversights in every sector of the state administration. At the end of its four-year run, the Assembly had successfully deliberated 35 bills, passed 23 into law and also passed 75 resolutions. The Assembly is reputed for establishing the “Peoples’ Assembly” mantra, wherein legislative innovations especially in oversights were paramount. There is no gain saying that it was in the life span of the 5th Assembly that the state witnessed strict government compliance with the open budget initiative, a global advocacy programme, which promotes public access to budgetary information and the adoption of accountable budgeting system.
The 6th Assembly was birth with the daunting task of raising the bar set by previous Assemblies. However, without fear of contradiction, the present Assembly has surpassed the expectations of pessimists. Having served first, as Speaker of a 109-member Nigeria Youth Parliament, and subsequently had a first-rate first term outing in the 5th Assembly, the Speaker, Hon (Bar) Onofiok Luke, brought a cumulative six years of legislative experience to bear on the house when he got elected in December 2015. He has evidently taken the Assembly to the zenith of robust and innovative legislative engagement. His youthful energy and intellect backed by his commitment to the galvanisation of legislative support for the state’s sustainable development agenda, is evident in the manner that the house’s affairs have been piloted two years on.
With about 18 laws passed so far from 40 bills, at least 100 resolutions from 48 motions, more than 100 recommendations from matters of urgent public importance, public petitions and more than 40 public hearings, the 6th Assembly under Onofiok Luke is proving its legislative mettle. But beyond these numbers is the direct impact, which these legislations are impinged on the lives of the masses. With the socio-economic needs of the people being the centrepiece of the Assembly’s bills, resolutions and recommendations, the welfarist posture of the House is unequivocally defined.
Reference need be made of the Youth Development Fund Bill, currently at committee stage, seeking for the establishment and composition of Akwa Ibom State Youth Empowerment Fund into which shall be paid all monies received as 10% Oil Derivation Fund, grants, and subventions from National and Donor agencies for the purpose of youth development; the Social Housing Law and the Primary Health Care Development Agency Law sponsored by Speaker Luke, to meet government’s policy thrust on affordable housing passed as well as provide for universal health coverages. Assessing its involvement in the state budgeting process, the House passed into law the appropriation law to the tune of N371.292bn for the 2017 fiscal year. This it did after a painstaking round of consultations with relevant stakeholders in a public hearing which is today the road map for the success of the government in efficient allocation and deployment of resources to health care delivery, infrastructural renaissance, industrialisation, comprehensive educational lifeline to our schools, teachers and children among others.
Of interest is the cordiality, which exists between the house and the state executive. Speaker Luke talks of Cooperation of Powers as the ‘theory,’ which informs this cordiality, and the fact that separation of powers does not mean separation of government. This understanding has been central to the successful running of government in Akwa Ibom State from the foundation-laying efforts of a visionary Governor Victor Attah in 1999 to the transformation era of Akpabio, and the ongoing sustainable development and industrialisation programmes of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
In oiling the government machinery and boosting government business, the House has kept afloat a sound working relationship with the state civil service and its appendage bodies.
The House also maintains viable national and international links and membership in National and International parliamentary associations for the benefit of making good laws, drawing experiences from exchange of ideas and comparing notes.
Members have been more pro-grassroots in their engagements by establishing and servicing people oriented constituency offices, viewing centres and mass mobilisation via constituency briefings and interactions.
• Okon is the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly