END OF FIRST LEGISLATIVE YEAR : MEMBERS PASS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON SPEAKER ANIEKAN BASSEY

As the 7th Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly marks one year of legislative engagements in a sitting yesterday 10th June, 2020 members during plenary took turns to eulogize the Speaker, Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey for his insightful, purpose driven and all encompassing leadership styles which have enabled members to be more united, focused and committed to their obligatory services that they were elected to perform.

The encomiums poured on the Speaker was sequel to a vote of confidence in a motion moved by Rt Hon Uduak Odudoh, member representing Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo state constituency and supported by Hon Otobong Bob, member representing Nsit ubium state constituency.
The motion elaborated extensively on the achievements of the Speaker for the past one year, since the inauguration of the 7th Assembly.

It also extolled the sterling leadership potentials of other principal officers of the House.
In their separate reactions, members described Speaker Aniekan Bassey as a humble, focused, respectful, bold and straightforward leader who sits at the helms of affairs of the 7th Assembly to ensure that members cooperate and work together towards achieving a united goal.

They commended the Speaker for instilling in them faith, trust and hope which will enable a brighter future towards a more rewarding and robust legislative engagements in the long run.
In her words the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon (Princess) Felicia Bassey (member representing Okobo state constituency) commended the leadership potentials embedded in the Speaker which has gingered team spirit among members, she specifically commended the Speaker for being gender sensitive by duly recognising women to speak during plenaries.

In his submission the House Leader, Rt Hon Udo Kierian (member representing Orukanam state constituency) described the motion expressed by members as a thank you to the Speaker, he maintained that the 7th Assembly had no regrets in electing Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey as Speaker because he has competently justified the confidence reposed on him in the one year of his leadership.
He noted with satisfaction that the Speaker is going to do more in terms of performance.

Also speaking, Rt Hon Aniekan Uko (member representing Ibesikpo Asutan state constituency) said that the Speaker and the leadership of the House have done extremely very well, as their leadership has brought about peaceful conduct of members who now act as one indivisible entity.

Uko maintained that Speaker Aniekan Bassey has piloted the affairs of the Assembly beyond expectations to the admiration of all members in the past one year.
Rt Hon David Lawrence (member representing Eket state constituency) in his speech still in support of the motion, recalled with satisfaction the catalogue of achievements of the Speaker for the past one year described it as tremendous and awesome.

In his words Rt Hon Mark Esset (member representing Nsit Atai state constituency) maintained that the Speaker has made members proud owing to his visionary leadership, signifying that his election as Speaker was a wise decision in the first place.

Mark maintained that with a motion on the vote of confidence being passed on Speaker Aniekan Bassey, with due recognition to his transparent leadership being gazetted on the floor of the Assembly, it simply means that members have confidence in his leadership.
Other ranking members who also extolled the good virtues of the Speaker as well as speak in support of the motion included, Rt Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong (member representing Ini state constituency), Rt Hon Aniefiok Dennis (member representing Etinan state constituency) Rt Hon Nse Essien (member representing Onna state constituency), Rt Hon Effiong Bassey (member representing Oron /Udung Uko state constituency) among others.
The newly elected members of the House were not left out as they also joined in commending the Speaker for showing a good leadership example for them to emulate, as far as legislative business is concern.
Hon Otobong Bob (member representing Nsit ubium state constituency) in his submission commended the giant strides recorded by the Speaker in action and deed, describing him a model to the younger generation.
Hon Charity Ido (member representing Ukanafun state constituency) noted with satisfaction that the Speaker has not only shown purposeful leadership but has specifically acknowledged and respect gender sensitivity, which has given the women lawmakers ample opportunities to contribute their quota during plenaries and other activities of the lawmakers.

Other newly elected members also spoke in the same direction.
It is on record that Speaker Aniekan Bassey within his one year in office have embarked on infrastructural development of the Assembly premises as well as create a conducive working environment for staff and members alike.
Some of the Speaker's signature project include the following areas..

Creating a convenient and conducive working environment for staff, massive renovation of offices, renovation of committee rooms, replacement of dilapidated furniture with new ones, purchase and installation of giant generating set, repainting of the Assembly building including the Assembly chapel, landscaping of the premises and restoring water supply among others things too numerous to mention.

It is also on note that within Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey's one year in office as Speaker , the 7th Assembly have deliberated on 31 Bills in which 10 have been passed to law.
Also the 7th Assembly have deliberated on over 35 motions, while oversight functions and activities of the various standing committees of the House have remained up and doing and given adequate priority too.

Indeed, Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey is the working Speaker and as such the motion as raised and duly supported by all members that he has performed creditably is in order, and it is good to be gazetted for posterity sake.
Meanwhile the House has adjourned plenary to June 18th, 2020 by 10:00 hours.

© Press Unit
Office of the Honourable Speaker
Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly