Add value to the state administration -AKHA charges new Commissioners

The two commissioner nominees sent to the House of Assembly by Governor Godswill Akpabio have been cleared by the state house of assembly even as they have been told to add quality in the running of the state especially as the administration is gradually coming to an end.

This was the position of the house when the nominees appeared before the House for the mandatory screening by the House as provided for by the 1999 constitution. Those cleared by the House are Mr. Ante Okwng and Engr. Ignatius Edet who served as the speaker of the 4th assembly from 2007-2010.

According to members who spoke when the nominees appeared before the House, their nomination to serve in the State Executive Council was a demonstration of confidence in their abilities by the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio  calling on them to justify that confidence by contributing meaningfully to the running of the state.

Speaking while Engr. Ignatius Edet appeared before the House, a member of the 4th assembly and the Chief Whip of the 5th assembly Rt. Hon Alice Ekpenyong described the former speaker as a very pragmatic leader who will in no small measure contribute positively to the development of the state. 

Earlier before the nominees were invited into the hallowed chambers, the Chairman House committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petition Mr. Ekong Sampson had informed the House that the nominees had no petition written against them by any member of the public just as they met all the constitutional requirement for appointment as commissioners as outlined in section 192(4) and 106 of the 1999 constitution as amended which says “No person shall appointed a commissioner of Government of a state unless he/she is qualified for election as a member of the State House of Assembly”. 

    
According to the constitution as contained in section 102 of the 1999 constitution, the qualification for election into the House of Assembly include being  a Nigerian, attain the age of 30 years and must be educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent .

Clearing the nominees, the Speaker of the 5th Assembly Mr. Samuel Ikon observed that the nominees are eminently qualified for an appointment into the state executive council and called on them to bring to bear their wealth of experience in the discharge of their new assignment.