Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has inaugurated three commissions.
The commissions are Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), Ethical And Attitudinal Re-orientation Commission (EARCOM) and Law Reform Commission.
Inaugurating the Commissions at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo, Governor Emmanuel charged the members to live above board in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He said they had been appointed into the commissions based on merit, integrity and track record of service to the people, state and nation.
His words : “Your selection and inauguration into the three commissions is actually the testimony of the quality which you have. These are people of proven records who would help the state deliver what we all expect.”
Governor Emmanuel explained that inauguration of the commissions became necessary in order to carryout urgent state assignments and assured that appointment into boards would be made in no distant time.
“I know of other boards that we are yet to make appointments, we are taking the commissions first thereafter the boards and we intend to do that very very fast and inaugurate all the outstanding boards especially those that have urgent things to do for the state.”
He expressed optimism that the members of the Commission would bring their wealth of experience to bear in the task of providing quality leadership and executing lofty programmes of the administration.
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Governor Emmanuel particularly task the state Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to live up to it responsibility stressing that much was expected of the commission in view of the forthcoming local government elections.
“I think a whole lot is expected of AKISIEC and the chairman of the Commission, Hon. Aniedi-abasi Ikoiwak, has been on a similar assignment in the past ten years. I am sure he would not let us down,” the governor stated.
While congratulating the appointees, the governor used the occasion to advise the people to nip in the bud tendencies to distract members of the commission with undue criticism.
He called on relevant ministries, government agencies and entire people of the state to give minimum cooperation to the commission members to enable them discharge their duties creditably.
Governor Emmanuel also used the occasion to commend the immediate past Board and Commission members for their services to the state saying that they had justified their appointment through excellent service delivery.
“Let me also use this opportunity to thank members of the former Boards and Commissions for their services. They did their best and served the state to the best of their ability and let me particularly thank the immediate past chairman of AKISIEC, Mrs. Gloria Ukpong.
“I am so happy to see you coming to give us your support. You promised me your maximum support and cooperation and I am here reassuring you that we would make use of your wealth of knowledge, experience and exposure in several other areas. This is a service and government for all. Congratulations to you all.”
In their separate reactions with Government House Correspondents shortly after the inauguration, the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission Hon. Aniedie-abasi Ikoiwak, Chairman Law Reform Commission Barrister Nse Ekanem and his counterpart in the Ethical And Attitudinal Re – Orientation Commission Dr Dorathy Thompson, thanked the state governor for appointing them into the commissions and expressed their readiness to deliver on their mandate.
The State Independent Electoral Commission has seven members with Hon. Aniedie-abasi Ikoiwak as chairman, Patrick Ifon, Mathew Casmir Udo, Usoro Asuquo Ukpanah, Sunday Edet Enidiok, Dr. (Mrs) Faith E. Umoh and Elder Eyaekop Effiong Umanah as members.
Law Reform Commission has Barrister Nse Ekanem as chairman and four other members namely Barrister Emmanuel Umanah, Mr Ifiok Udoh, Chief Ufikairo Efet and Barrister Akpakan Okoho.
Dr. Dorathy Thompson was sworn in as chairman of Ethical And Attitudinal Re – Orientation Commission alongside Hon. Victor Okon Udofia, Hon. Nsikak Nyong, Dr (Mrs) Imemfon Udoh, Mr Michael Effiong Isang and Apostle Imeobong Essien, as members.
The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, State Chief Judge, Godwin Abraham, State PDP Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo, Senator Anietie Okon, Senator Emmanuel Ibiok Essien, Secretary to the State Government, Etekamba Umoren, Head of Civil Service Mrs Ekerebong Akpan, Members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Staff of the inaugurated commissions, relative and friends of the commissions members.