Parliamentary Updates

14/10/2023

Ukanafun boils
..Lawmaker dragged to Court over plot to sell bridge
..Ukanafun political bloc allege exploitation from Afaha bloc

All is not well in Ukanafun Local Government Area as rumours of communal conflict and total breakdown of law and order rages over a reported clandestine scheme by the Member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Elder Emem Etokabasi Udom to sell off the old dilapidated bridge linking Ukanafun Edem Inyang Village and Nkek Idim village as waste to a dump site at Kano State *for N30m (thirty million Naira)*

In a suit filed at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State in the Ukanafun Judicial Division by family Heafs on behalf of Ukanafun Edem Inyang Village, the Ukanafun Lawmaker is dragged alongside Aay Trading Company as the plantiffs are seeking an order of injunction restraining the defendants/respondents , their agents, servants, privies or assigns from dismantling and evacuating the said bridge.

Our reporter who is investigating the matter gathered that the move to dismantle and sell the steel *components of the* bridge has become contentious following a botched previous attempt by Hon. Godwin Inyieng *last year* to dismantle and sell the *same* bridge.

A source who pleaded anonymity confided in us that both Lawmaker (Hon. Udom) and Council boss(Inyieng) both of who are from the Afaha political bloc of Ukanafun Local Government Area are in alliance to trade off the old dilapidated bridge which is located in the Ukanafun bloc of the Council area and pocket the proceeds without due process or consultations with the people *in whose community* the bridge is located, or the State Government.

The source further disclosed that, Hon. Udom who *is* alleged to have surreptitiously raised a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on matters relating to the bridge is said to be parading unverified claim which he sent to the Paramount ruler of Ukanafun, purporting that the AKHA has authorised *him* to sell off the old bridge which was built back by the Southeastern State Government *about four decades ago.*

Our investigation revealed that in 2017, the administration Chief Godswill Akpabio constricted a new road to link Ukanafun leading to the abandonment of the old road and the bridge which gave rise to the scramble to sell off the bridge.

A letter with Ref. No. AKHA/UKSG/AL/SVol.iii dated 15th September, 2023 indicated that a Kano based company , Aay Trading Company was given go ahead *by the House Member* to dismantle and evacuate the bridge.

Sensing foul play, community leaders in Ukanafun petitioned the Commissioner *of Police* in charge of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, when they observed some strangers deployed to start dismantling the bridge, urging him to investigate the matter and prevent a resort to self help by the community to safeguard the public infrastructure from vandals.

Our source revealed that even after the Police Commissioner swung into action to apprehend the suspects, they made another attempt to continue dismantling the bridge as at Friday, October 13 but were prevented from the hasty dismantling by the quick intervention of the host community .

Our source revealed that there is rising tension in the usually volatile Ukanafun over the shady nature of the deal to sell off the bridge even though the village council had earlier rejected *overtures* by the *House member* to pay them a percentage to allow a sale of the bridge.

Meanwhile the people of Ukanafun Edem Inyang have vowed to resist the Lawmaker and his agents if they try to dismantle the bridge.

12/10/2023

AKHA PASSES BILL ON FINANCIAL AUTONOMY

A bill for a law to provide for the management of funds accruing to Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly from the consolidated revenue fund of Akwa Ibom State to ensure accountability, transparency, effective and efficient utilization of the funds and related Matters has been read for the third time and passed into law.

Lead Sponsor of the bill and Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob explained that the bill was in fulfilment of constitutional provisions as contained in section 121(3) which states that “any amount standing in credit to the State House of Assembly, shall be paid directly into the account of the House of Assembly”.
Bob said there was a need for the State legislature to have financial autonomy to enable it to discharge its legislative functions effectively.
Also speaking in favour of the bill, Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem and the Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, described the bill as apt, saying that their colleagues in Lagos, Delta State, Ebonyi and a few others were already enjoying financial autonomy.
The lawmakers said the new law would, among other things, ensure the availability of funds for legislative oversight functions, lawmaking, training and re-training of assembly staff, personal and legislative aides of the lawmakers, among others.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. ( Elder ) Udeme Otong who presided over the plenary session, passed the bill with the directive on the Clerk of the House, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok, to forward it to Governor Umo Eno for assent.

Also at plenary two bills namely, “a bill for a law seeking to amend the Akwa Ibom State Cattle (Control and Taxation) Law, Cap 24 Laws of Akwa Ibom State by increasing the amount to be charged as tax on every head of trade cattle entering the state and for other purposes connected thereto”, and a bill for a law to amend the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Loans Law, Cap 11 by increasing the amount that may be granted as loans to individual farmers, corporate bodies and cooperative societies and for related matters passed first reading.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong referred the two bills to the House Committee on Business, Rules, Ethics, and Privileges for rescheduling.

Press Unit,
Office of the Speaker, AKHA.

12/10/2023

Title: Potential Speaker
Location: AKHA
Cast: The people of Onna
Script Writer: Onna people

👉Who else watch the drama today?

22/09/2023

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE

Hurray Akwa Ibom is 36
Your Excellency,
Today marks the dawn of a new and golden chapter for Akwa Ibom State and for this, we are filled with joy. It is another opportunity for us to accelerate sectoral growth as the race to the top lies before us.

On behalf of the board,management and the entire staff of the state universal basic education board( SUBEB), I congratulate His Excellency our golden governor, Pastor Umo Eno and all Akwa Ibomites on this occasion of the 36th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State.

Looking back in time from 1987 to the present, I can affirm that the state has enjoyed steady growth in infrastructural and human development. As we celebrate our gains and wins today, let me commend you for the contributions you have made so far, especially in the declaration of 'state of emergency' in basic education in our state as encapsulated in the A.R.I.S.E agenda of your administration.
I assure you of our continued support and loyalty of the board as your administration set out to create new records for the state @ 36
Congratulations.

Long live Akwa Ibom State

Long live His Excellency

Signed
Rt Hon Anietie Etuk Ph.D
Chairman
State Universal Basic Education Board.

13/09/2023

AKSG URGED TO INTERVENE ON MBIABONG UKAN DILAPIDATED UNITY HIGH SCHOOL'S STRUCTURES

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has prevailed on the State Government to intervene on the dilapidated academic infrastructures at Unity High School, Mbiabong Ukan in Ikono Local Government Area.
This directive was given by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. ( Elder ) Udeme Otong at Tuesday Plenary, September 12, 2023.
After hearing the motion by the Member representing Ikono State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana, the Speaker directed the Clerk, Mrs Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to write the Governor, intimating him on the poor state of infrastructure at the school that serves several communities around Mbiabong Ukan in Ikono LGA for Intervention in the interest of the students.

The House opined that there is need to expedite action on the reconstruction of the educational facility to serve better the students who will returned from the long vacation.

While moving the motion, the Ikono Lawmaker, noted that the School was established by the Akwa Ibom State Government to serve the rural populace and with the educational strides of the present administration, it behooves on the Government to look into the poor condition of the School for the academic wellbeing of the students.

"This School being an establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Government is a rural school serving several communities around Mbiabong Ukan in Ikono LGA and presently in a shadow of itself is in need of an urgent attention."

Members for Etim Ekpo/Ika, Nsit Ubium and Ini State Constituencies unanimously supported the motion, calling for urgent action by relevant Government's organs.
Also at plenary, the Member for Urue Offong/Oruko State Constituency, Hon. Precious Selong, moved a motion bothering on 'The Alarming Infrastructural Decay at the General Hospital that is located at Oruko.
Selling, Passionately pleaded her colleagues to cooperate with her in appealing for Urgent Government Intervention to encourage effective health care delivery at the hospital.
Selling, whose motion was seconded by the member for Uyo State Constituency, Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo, enlisted the cooperation of the Honourable members in calling on the state government through the Houspital Management Board to intervene on the immediate rehabilitation of the hospital in line the ARISE AGENDA of the present administration.
The matter has been committed to the House Committee on Health for further legislative action.

In the same vein, Member for Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Hon. Kenim Onofiok, has raised a motion on 'The Need for Targeted Investment by the Akwa Ibom State Government in Technical and Vocational Education" which was seconded by the member for Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Hon.Ubong Attah.
The House however,directed the Committee on Education to look into the matter for appropriate Legislative action.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 10:00 hours.

13/09/2023

AKHA WITHDRAWS BILL SEEKING RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT OF LG CHAIRMEN

A bill for a law to make the Chairmen of Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom State to reside in their Local Government Areas during their tenure of office, and for other connected purposes, has been withdrawn from further legislation by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon.( Elder) Udeme Otong, ordered for the withdrawal of the Executive Bill following motion to that effect by the Deputy Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otobong Effiong Bob and seconded by the Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson during Tuesday's Plenary at the House of Assembly Complex, Uyo.

Although Rt. Hon.Otobong Bob, was the lead sponsor of the Executive Bill, he did not state reasons for the withdrawal of the Bill that was on cue for second reading.

The House Standing Order 7 rule 11 made it clear that, “A member in-charge of a bill may move a motion without notice for it's withdrawal either before commencement of public business or on the order of the day for any stage of the bill being read".

Meanwhile, three other Executive bills have successfully scaled second reading on the floor of the Akwa Ibom State of Assembly during Plenary Session.

They are; “A bill for a law to make Special Provisions for Statutory Boards in Akwa Ibom State; and for connected purposes; "HAB 310 that has to do with a bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics and Akwa Ibom State Statistical System and for Other Matters connected therewith as well as the HAB 312’ bill for a law to establish Ibom Peace Corps and for connected purposes".

The bill on the statutory boards seeks to enact a law that would convey some corporate status on the boards of commssions, agencies, corporations, other bodies established by laws of the State, among others, while the Bureau of Statistics bill seeks to establish a bureau that would serve as the main State agency responsible for the development and management of official statistics.

The peace Corps bill seeks to establish a body that would complement the job security agencies in the State.

The Speaker referred the bills to relevant House Committees for further legislative action.

The House adjourned plenary to Thursday 14th September, 2023.

11/09/2023

That Appeal For Access Road Linking Ikot Esen, Utit Obio, Omu Ekene Villages: Needs for Govt's Urgent Action

By Aniekan Sunday

First, let me especially commend the present Government led by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, who has begun his administration by embarking on life-touching projects and people's oriented programmes. One such is the just commissioned Ndiya Road by Akpan Andem Market and approval for payment of gratuity to pensioners. These kinds of life impacting projects and programmes would help improve the wellbeing of citizens, especially people residing at the rural communities in respective local government areas of the State.

I equally appreciate the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, led by the pragmatic leader, Rt. Hon. Elder Udeme Otong and other vibrant members, the likes of Hon. Moses Essien who have made the 8th Assembly worthwhile through effective representations, high touching human interest bills, motions, debates and oversight functions, while others are yet to come to terms with the reality of their offices - nodding heads and "I hereby second....".

Talking about effectively representing the voice and interest of the people, Hon. Moses Essien standout and restored the hope and confidence of his people in the State legislature. These have been seen through his several life-touching and human interest motions, especially the one he presented during the Friday 8th September 2023 plenary of the Akwa Ibom State House Assembly, where he placed an urgent call to the State Government to provide access road linking Ikot Esen, Utit Obio, Omu Ekene Villages in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the State.

However, if the ARISE Agenda of Pastor Umo Eno's administration must be achieved, then the 'R' - Rural Development which seconded the 'A' (Agricultural Revolution) as the topmost in the Five (5) points Agenda, must be critically looked into. One such is an appeal put forward to the State Government to provide access road linking rural communities in his Constituency, by the Member Representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien.

In the Motion tagged, "MOTION FOR RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE
ACCESS ROAD LINKING IKOT ESEN, UTIT OBIO OMU EKENE VILLAGES IN IBIONO IBOM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE", the Lawmaker highlighted major problems facing the people of the above-mentioned communities in the Area. These include; unaccessible road networks, lack of health/educational facilities, lack of electricity and other basic life infrastructural facilities.

In the Motion, Hon. Essien noted that Ikot Esen – Utit Obio – Omu Ekene which terminates in the Omu Ekene River that flows into the Eniong Creek and empties into the Itu River are agrarian communities in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

He equally noted that the Villages along Ikot Esen - Omu Ekene Road are
predominantly farmers and their soil supports the growth of rice, food crops, leafy vegetables, cash crops and fruits. What A blessing to our State's Agric/economic sector!

Now, listen carefully to this part of the Motion - "there is food in abundance in these villages but the farmers cannot bring out their produce to the market to sell due to the bad and inaccessible roads for vehicles. Even motorcycles find it almost impossible to ride on the muddy, clay and very slippery road surface which does not offer friction to support vehicular movement of any form, especially during this rainy season". What a pathetic situation!

Listen again; "the people of Ikot Esen, Ikot Esidem, Use Ikot Amama, Omu Ekene and Utit Obio have never been considered for any form of infrastructuraldevelopment since the colonial era to date". Can this be true? If actually it's true, and the ugly situation has been officially made public on the floor of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, what steps or action would the House take to make the people of those affected communities feel the impact of the Government they voted for?

Meanwhile, don't forget that the fertile soil of these affected rural communities supports the cultivation of rice - one of the most consumable food in this part of the World. This, according to Hon. Moses Essien, was why "the Federal Government of Nigeria, in 2019 established the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) for improvement of locally processed rice through the establishment of a combined rice mill for Ikot Esen and Utit Obio located at the entrance of Ikot Esen Village".

He further stated; "Moved by the effort of the Federal Government, the Akwa Ibom State Government provided 33 KVA Generator to enable the smooth operation of the Rice Mill. Unfortunately, the Rice Mill is not functioning because the rice farmerscannot convey the raw paddy of their rice to the mill for processing, they resort to primitive methods of processing for consumption for survival". Methinks, the Akwa Ibom State Government can use this opportunity to activate/upgrade the production standard of the Mill, invest more and explore agricultural businesses in that part of the State.

From findings, soil in that part of the State is very fertile for cultivations of rice, okra, pepper, and other food crops, leafy vegetables, cash crops and fruits, including palm fruits. And from the water, fish, crayfish and others can be gotten from there too that can feed beyond those villages to the local government. Meaning, that if they have the capacity and the needed enhancement, those produced can go beyond the State. But, where there's such fertile soil and natural resources and there is no accessible road network, it's meaningless. The farmers would sometimes feel deficient because after producing the food items, they had nowhere to take them.

Information gathered so far reveal that farmers in that area only produced consumable quantity of their agricultural products since they're unable to move them out for general consumption. As such, there's an urgent need for Government intervention in the yearning and plights of the people in the affected communities. This, would equally improve and boost agricultural development of the State.

Also, providing functional health/educational facilities, electricity and other basic life infrastructural facilities would help put a stop to unnecessary rural/urban migration.

09/09/2023

Inefficiency: Etim Ekpo/Ika Lawmaker slams Council Chairmen

~As Moses Essien seek construction of access Road linking Ikot Esen, Utit Obio, Omu Ekene villages

By Aniekan Sunday

The State Lawmaker representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency in the 8th Assembly of Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Mfọn Idung has frown over inefficiency of Council Chairmen in the State.

Idung, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Affairs & Chieftaincy, made the assertion during plenary yesterday at the floor of the Assembly, while debating on the Motion presented by the Member Representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien, seeking for construction of access road linking Ikot Esen, Utit Obio, Omu Ekene villages in Ibiono Ibom Local Government by the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

~Watch this space for

09/09/2023

AKHA SPEAKER RECEIVES LAWS OF AKWA IBOM STATE FROM MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, has commended the state's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN) for deeming it necessary to present a new set of laws to the leadership and members of the 8th Assembly for greater partnership in the law making process of the state.

Speaker Otong, made the commendation at the House of Assembly Complex in Uyo, on Friday, during a courtesy call on him by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

The Speaker, who assured the Ministry of continued cooperation and synergy by the House of Assembly, however called on the Attorney General to explore ways of ensuring that private Bills passed by the House of Assembly are made to receive assent by the State Governor to serve as encouragement to the Honourable members.

"The 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is ready to work with you because what you have done today has shown that we have to collaborate and work together for the best to be accomplished in the area of lawmaking in the state.

According to the Speaker, “Governor Eno has distinguished himself as a leader who is always happy when people work together for the benefit of the entire State. And this is what we are going to do in this House Assembly."

"We are here to work for the people of Akwa Ibom State and we must show dexterity and commitment to what we are doing for posterity sake.

"I want to assure you that the 8th Assembly is going to work directly with the Ministry of Justice because all the Laws we pass here must pass through your Ministry for assent by the State Governor," he declared.

Elder Otong, noted with regret that not all the private member bills that were passed by the 7th Assembly received assent by the immediate past Governor except Executive Bills, thereby demoralizing to the interest of the members in sponsoring Private member bills.

“I want to assure you that the Bills we are going to pass in the 8th Assembly will be people-oriented which will further have positive impact on the lives of our people, and such bills; when forwarded to your table, we would kindly request that you make efforts to ensure that His Excellency the Governor give assent to them for the benefits of the people”.
In his contribution, the Deputy Leader of the Assembly and the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Barr Otobong Bob, solicited for greater collaboration between the Executive and the legislature for the best to be achieved by the present administration in the state.

The Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions, Prince Aniefiok Attah; the member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Hon. Ubong Attah, and that of Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, in their contributions, appreciated the Attorney-general for the visit which they said, would go a long way in strengthening their bond of relationship in law making process.

Earlier in his address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, (SAN) said the visit was to formally thank the lawmakers for their cooperation over the years, as well present copies of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State for usage.

Udom described the office of the Attorney-General as a gateway between the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the Executive arm of the Government where Executive Bills always pass through the Ministry of Justice to the Assembly for legislation.

He praised the express manner upon which the Assembly had been treating Executive Bills in addition to the proper guidance it has given to his Ministry when need arises.

"We want to assure you that the Ministry of Justice will be cooperative with the House of Assembly on any aspect of law making for the best to be achieved in the state.

“I thank the 8th Assembly for the cooperation we have received so far, as the state Governor is appreciative of your efforts in the formulation of good laws for the benefits of all and sundry.

“We need to work together as a team, that is not to say that the House will submit itself without any reason to the whims and caprices of the Executive without checks and balances as entrenched in the Constitution of the country.

“Today I bring to this the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly a box containing full volumes of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State to be distributed to all the Members, the Library and the Clerk of the Assembly, and I hope you will accept it because they are Laws passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly".

09/09/2023

09/09/2023

AKHA SPEAKER ASSURES LOCAL GOVT COUNCILORS OF CLOSER COLLABORATION

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, on Friday, assured councillors from the 31 Local Government Areas of the State of the readiness of the 8th Assembly to maintain closer collaboration with them in order to enhance good governance at the grassroots.

Speaking at the assembly complex while playing host to Leaders of Local Government Legislative Councils from the 31 Council areas of the State, Rt. Hon.Otong who described the councilors as critical stakeholders in grassroots administration, said the 8th assembly under his watch was committed to strengthening closer collaboration with the local government legislators.

The Speaker commended the Leaders of the Local Government's Legislative Councils for the visit, even as he declared the readiness of the Assembly to address concerns raised by them, especially issues affecting their welfare and constituency projects.

While he thanked the councillors for the visit which he described as proper and at the right time, Speaker Otong urged them to work harder by enacting relevant bye-laws that would promote smooth running of the local government administration at their respective council areas.

The Speaker advised them to work in collaboration with the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for their interest to be protected, advising them to always carryout oversight functions on development projects initiated by their respective Local Government Councils for the benefit of their people.

Also addressing the Councilors, the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt. Hon.Mfon Idung, who doubles as the chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, reminded them on the need to ensure that they carry out proper legislative oversight on projects executed by their local government Chairmen in their domain, with a view to ensuring that funds approved for project ex*****on are well utilized for the benefit of the people,

Idung warned that the House of Assembly would frown at any Council where there are abandoned projects.

Earlier in his address, the Leader of Uyo Legislative Council, Hon. Ubong Effiong, who spoke on behalf of the delegation,
explained that they were at the Assembly to seek closer collaboration with their senior colleagues.

Effiong thanked the Speaker and members of the House for granting them audience, noting that the collaboration would enhance effective law making at the 31 Local government legislative councils in the State.

Hon.Effiong also informed the State Lawmakers that they have been very active in performing their legislative duties as they have enacted people-oriented bye-laws which have been gazetted as working tools at their respective Local Government Council.

09/09/2023

BUREAU FOR ICTs BILL, FIVE OTHERS SCALE FIRST READING AT A'IBOM ASSEMBLY

A bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau for ICT, Innovation and Emerging Technologies (AKIBCT) has passed through the first reading at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The bill which has the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. (Engr) Uduak-Obong Ekpo-Ufot as lead sponsor, with fifteen others as Co-sponsors, scaled first reading on Friday 8th September, 2023 during plenary.

Co-Sponsors of the bill include, the Deputy Speaker of the House, and Member representing ITU State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kufre Edidem, Leader of the House and Member representing ONNA State Constituency, Hon. Sunday Udofot Johnny, Deputy House Leader, and Member representing Nsit-Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, Member representing Esit- Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Hon. (Engr) Udobia Udo, Member representing Ibesikpo-Asutan, Hon. Engr. Ubong Attah, Member representing Ikot-Ekpene/Obot Akara, Hon. Jerry Otu and Member representing Nsit-Atai, Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah.

Others are, Member representing Eket, Hon. Dr. Nsidibe Akata, Member representing Uruan, Hon. Dr. Itoro Etim, Member representing Essien Udim, Hon.(Barr) Ukpong Udo Akpabio, Member representing Ukanafun, Hon. Emem Udom, Member representing Eastern-Obolo/Ikot-Abasi, Hon. Selina Isotuk, Member representing Ibiono-Ibom, Hon. Moses Essien, Member representing Mkpat-Enin, Hon. Uwem Imoh-Ita and Member representing Nsit-Ibom, Hon. Eric Akpan.

Similarly, five other bills including; ‘A bill for a law to amend the Akwa Ibom State Small Scale Industries (Credit Scheme) law Cap.140 by increasing the maximum amount that may be granted as loan to an industrial enterprise and for related Matters', sponsored by the member representing Etim-Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, and Seven others; A bill for a law seeking to compel Chairmen of local government councils to reside in their respective LGA's during their tenure of office; ‘‘bill for a law to make special provisions for statutory boards in Akwa Ibom State; and for connected purposes, a bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics and Akwa Ibom State Statistical System and for other matters connected therewith' and a bill to establish Ibom Peace Corps, and for connected purposes all sponsored by the Deputy House Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, passed first reading at plenary.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.