A CALL FOR CONSTITUENCY BRIEFING AS ALLOWED BY LAW AND PRACTICED BY LEGISLATORS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

ATTENTION;

Hon. Asukwo Archibong 
Member Representig Urue Offong Oruko Constituency,
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly,
Udoma Udoma Complex, Uyo.
Akwa Ibom State.
01/02/2018

On a few occasions since the amiable and politically conscious people of  Urue Offog/Oruko Constituency  saw the imperative need of saddling you with the responsibility of representing us at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly AKHA; I have had the rarest privilege of exchanging pleasantries with you via face to face discuss few pertinent issues affecting our people with you.

I was among those elated electorates that righteously exercised their franchise in your favour without any inducement but with the sincerity of purpose; and great expectations that your leadership dexterity and the entrustment of our mandate on you would translate into proper representation; and the materialisation of the dividend of democracy. Also, the attainment of some aspects of Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) in our state constituency. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case.

Sir, presently, I am very worried just as the vast majority of people are equally disturbed over your appalling performances and your deliberate attitude of not creating the feedback mechanism of democratic multiplexing for proper communication between your office and the good people of  Urue Offog/Oruko Constituency, "whose mandate you hold in trust".

Sir, in my traditional behavior of not indulging in campaign of calumny, I lone to state succinctly that I am not yet accusing you of any financial impropriety. The facts are in agreement is  that the State House of Assembly has disbursed constituency allowances to all legislators for the upkeep of their constituencies. This legislative vote is not a personal fund that should be handled parsimoniously.

Sir, as you have heard from the wailings of people of  Urue Offog/Oruko Constituency  and from my humble self, we only desire to know how well you have been representing us. An extract of a plethora of youths are already alleging that you are misappropriating their constituency funds and as such mortgaging future and the development of  Urue Offog/Oruko Constituency.Hence, the crux of this letter.

Sir, the fact are no longer in dispute that most of your colleagues have been organising constituency briefings and empowerment programs in their respective constituencies. I am shocked to know that you have not done anything in the similitude of the aforementioned and there seem to be no tiny clue if any arrangement is in the pipeline. Must of your constituents wished they were rather from Nsit Ubium where Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, ANIEKAN UKO from IBESIKPO ASUTAN recently organised constituency briefing and gave out cars, motorcycles and other empowerment items Worths over hundred million.

We are tired of hearing the usual syndrome of “no money”.or I will give ten cars".  Where did Onofiok Luke or Aniekan Uko get money for their  constituency allowance? Is Governor Udom only paying Nsit Ubium and Ibesikpo Asutan people constituency allocation and has abandonedhe Urue Offog/Oruko Constituency?

The absence of constituency briefing is the reason for my usual resort of new media platform as a means of expressing my views on pertinent issues affecting us and connected with grassroots development and effective governance.

As contained in my previous Articles, I made a proposition on the “Need for the Creation of Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area” I am ashamed to say the least that a deserved priority attention has not been given to it and yet, the sociopolitical well-being of your constituency is economically emancipated since your assumption in office.

Honourable sir, take notice of the fact that this letter doesn’t seek for favour from you or any self aggrandizement but it’s intention is to reactivate your recalling memory to political reality and for you to:

(1) Come and brief us about your stewardship;
(2) Use your office in helping to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in our constituency;
(3) Help students by giving them scholarship and not grants as your colleagues are doing;
(4) Empower the youths and women through entrepreneurship skills acquisition;
(5) And if possible, give some soft loans to less privileged constituents in Urue Offong/Oruko

I therefore rely upon the kindheartedness of our beloved honourable to consider the forgone subject matter.
Adam Smith said and I quote: “we do not expect our dinner from the benevolence of the butcher, nor from the brewer or the barker, but from their regard to their interest”. I do not know your interest but only do and I sincerely wish you have posterity in view while representing us now.

Once again, I extend to you the assurance of my esteemed regards and deepest respect.

God bless you.
I am Ezekiel Ibok, writing from Ukuko No.2