BY JOHN UDOFIA
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) is an umbrella Association for all the Local Government chieftain in Nigeria established as a platform for the council chairman to rub minds and channel their demands to state and federal government. The body which is backed with necessary legislation is recognized by first and second tiers of government as legal body to co-ordinates the activities of its members.
In Akwa Ibom State, ALGON has witness leadership changes since its inception due to changes in government. In the recent past, some former state chairmen of ALGON who performed to the satisfaction of the people and by extension the government are still featuring in the present government of the state.
Such personality includes Rt. Hon. Uwem Ita Etuk a former chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Council. Hon. Etuk became the state chairman of the PDP during which the party witnessed remarkable success and later a member of the State Executive Council in the last administration of the state. Just of recent, Etuk has been reappointed to serve in Udom Emmanuel’s Government.
It is also worthy of note the impact created during the reign of Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen who is now occupying the House of Assembly seat for Essien Udim State Constituency. Hon. Ntuen, a two term council boss chaired the state ALGON for five years and 10 months was a magnetic force between the state and Local Government Council in Akwa Ibom State. Throughout the said period, there was no major face-off which could have hampered development stride between Local Government Administration and the state governments. This made it easier for the state government to work harmoniously with the third tier of government and also make visible, dividend of democracy to the peoples at the grass root. These indeed placed Akwa Ibom as one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
Today, the mantle of ALGON leadership in Akwa Ibom State is on another dynamic and foremost youth leader in the state; Rt. Hon. Isantim Kenneth Okon, a two term Executive chairman of Etinan Local Government Area and transition committee chairman for Etinan. Isantim Okon as the Vice Chairman of ALGON to the immediate past chairman was very supportive and committed to the ideals of good governance loyal to his boss. The success recorded by Hon. Nse Ntuen led ALGON succeeded because of people like Isantim Okon. Back home, Isantim Kenneth Okon is the first Etinan council boss to serve for two terms and also chaired the transition committee which also pave way to the former House of Assembly man from the area to also become the first to serve for two terms. This would not have been possible without performing to the satisfaction of the people of Etinan who are known as the brain basket of Akwa Ibom State. Such performance ranges from infrastructural development, empowerment and most importantly ensuring the unity of Iman Ibom people. At the council secretariat, the present ALGON boss has ensured that council properties are well secured by constructing perimeter fence. The entire building blocks at the secretariat have also been renovated. Isantim Okon also constructs a 21st Century legislative chambers with state-of-the-art facilities which could be compared with the state House of Assembly. To ensure that the ICT centre he provides for the council is functional Isantim Okon provides a 100KVA generating sets for the council.
Apart from providing for youths and women, the elderly are not left out. The council under the watch of Isantim Okon has drilled not less than five bore hole for five elders in the area. This is just a tip of an ice berg of the present ALGON boss in his local government. Sometime ago a veteran in the journalism practice; Mr. Eno Ikpe in his write up wondered if this man have another source of getting money other than the federal allocation and the meager revenue generated by the council to fund these project.
Considering the huge success recorded by the present ALGON boss in his local government as the chairman much is expected. The question now goes does Isantim Okon have the capacity to pilot the affairs of these two offices or will he abandon his duty at the local government and concentrate more in the ALGON office? These are some of those questions Isantim Okon must consider. To become an ALGON chairman, one must first of all become a council chairman before joining the association to become the chairman, hence the exigency of the two offices should not course distraction.
The new leadership of ALGON must understand their role in ensuring that democracy continue to thrive in the state, especially now that the new government is working to ensure the well being of the people of the state. It is also pertinent to note that, the support of the local government in time like this remains the essential ingredient for the success of the state administration. One may consider the time left for the present councils to wind-up it’s obvious that government is continues, hence the new ALGON leadership have no excuse.
If Isantim Okon has been able to perform that much in Etinan, he should be able to bring to bear his experience by ensuring innovation in the system and to serve as a uniting factor between the state government and the local government.
In fact, as a technocrat His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel would want to listen to constructive criticism if there’s any and to act swiftly. Unnecessary and illegal demands by the council boss should be put aside but pursue vigorously those issues that will help improve the life of Akwa Ibom people.
As a shining star in Nigeria Akwa Ibom state image need to be sustained and not to be jeopardize by individuals or group of persons. ALGON need to distinguish themselves in business of building a new Akwa Ibom so that when the history of Akwa Ibom will be written, their names will be written in gold.
It is obvious, that one good turn deserves another. If the new ALGON leadership in Akwa Ibom State performs creditably and realize that public office is only a trust on the occupant another opportunity awaits them in future.
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