A’Ibom North-West: Time For Action, Not ‘Sidon Look’, Says YPP Candidate
The Evangelist
February 6, 2023
Former member of the House of Representatives for Abak Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekon, has described the legislative business at the National Assembly, NASS, as “not for the beginners and political greenhorns”, warning that as elections billed to commence on February 25, approach, eligible voters should not make the mistake of mortgaging their future for cash from desperate politicians.
Ekon, who said he had provided effective representation for the people across several Local Government Areas in the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North-West), vowed to increase the tempo of development in the 10 LGAs, if voted to the Red Chamber on February 25.
Speaking in an interview in Uyo, the state capital at the weekend, Ekon, who is vying under the Young Progressives Party, YPP, platform, said he was going into the race with positive pedigree of quality representation and landmark achievements from the Green Chamber, where he served for eight years (2011 -2019).
“By the grace of God, I can boldly say without any fear of contradiction that since the return of democracy in 1999, my record amongst the other Abak Federal Constituency Representatives remains the very best, and I challenge anyone with contrary disposition to come out in the open to counter it.
He said: “Even when I was only representing three LGAs – Abak, Ika and Etim Ekpo in the House of Representatives, I can tell you that the impact of my representation was felt in several other places in terms of constituency projects including the provision of water, developments of teaching and learning infrastructure across schools, scholarships, payment of WAEC and JAMB fees to students and donation of Information and Communication (ICT), Laboratory centres in schools.”
He listed some of the facilities to include water reticulation project at Nto Mbadum, Ikot Akpan Anwa, in Ika LGA; Iwukem community in Etim Ekpo and Abak Councils, and others including
the ICT centres and Laboratories at Iwukem High School, Technical College, Abak; Saint Augustine, Urua Inyang community in Ika as well as Independent Hall, Essien Udim.
Besides, Ekon has erected ICT centres at Northern Annang Community Commercial School at Utu Etim Ekpo, and at the Council secretariat and renovation of schools to facilitate teacher and learning.
“As the Chairman of the Local Content Committee in the 9th Assembly, I ensured that issues of insecurity and cult war that led to killings of people and displacement of over 3,000 people in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun LGs had been curtailed and some of the jobless youths, who took to crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery, targeted killings and other politically-motivated violence, were engaged to train and work in the oil and gas industry.
“Therefore, going to the Red Chamber as a ranking member, I know the problems of my people because since I returned from the Green Chamber about four years ago, I have been with them enough to understand the new challenges they are facing, especially job creation, education and socio-economic empowerment for the youths, women as well as healthcare for the elderly.
“So, my advice is that don’t make the mistake of voting someone who will remain redundant for four years trying to learn the ropes of National Assembly politics, thereby wasting the four years for nothing.” He stressed.
