Written by: Daniel Edon.
The performance of a lawmaker is not only measured on the number of Bills and Motions presented on the floor of the Assembly but also on Oversight, Representation and empowerment.
Rt, Hon. David Lawrence Udofa, marked his 5years as a Lawmaker on 10th. June 2020. In assessing his performance during the period under review, in terms of number of Bills and Motions, one may attempt to score him below average, as it were, but such assessment must have been completely wrong and skewed.
At this point, it is pertinent to let us know that, it would make nonsense of the entire effort, if Bills presented and passed at the Assembly are not assented to by the Governor. David Lawrence as a ranking member of the House of Assembly having served as Deputy Chief Whip in the 6th. Assembly and now a Chairman House Committee on Works and Transport in the 7th. Assembly, knows this and even more. Any Bill he presented, he would ensure that the Bills are such that it would meet Governor's assent.
You would hear that a member presented 5 Bills and may be 10 motions, but non have been assented to or passed into Law, and actions are not taken on the motions so raised. This would have been a complete waste of time and effort in futility. This doesn't mean that the effort is not commendable though.
Suffice it to say that, life touching programmes, oversights, empowerment are more beneficial to the constituents, than Bills and Motions that doesn't see the light of the day.
Within the 5years as a lawmaker, Rt. Hon. David Lawrence has gradually turn the landscape of Eket into an emerging Metropolitan City, as he always profess on the floor of the Assembly.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, FDI.
David Lawrence keyed into the Foreign Direct Investment initiative of His Execellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Through this initiative, he has been able to attract a Chinese investment to Eket.
The EKET-YIWU INTERNATIONAL COMMODITY MARKET, aka URUA NKA, as called by the Locals, being the location of the former Market, is a clear testimony to this massive Foreign Direct Investment that would gulp about N30 Billion in the first instance.
When completed, the First phase of the 2 storey building commodity market, would have over 2,000 lock-up shops and open shades for groceries. About 3 million original Line items would be imported directly from China. The commodity market would be completed with a Police Post, Bank, Cold room, Electric Turbine, Water treatment plant, an automated waste disposing equipment, Close Circuit monitoring devices in all shops and the entire environment. Most importantly, all lockup shops would be connected to the Central Aircondition System, CAS.
It is worthy to note here that, this one investment would jack up the IGR, Internal Generated Revenue, of Eket and the State, significantly. Jobs would be created, trade relationship between the foreigners and the local business people, would be boosted. What else can Constituents ask from their Representative.
The ingenuity of the Eket born Lawmaker in this direction, is the more reason his Constituents and even the State Governor, call him the CHINA MAN.
The completion time of this project has further been truncated by the Covid-19 pandemic that has kept most of the Chinese Engineers away from the country and the site. Be that as it may, the construction would resume immediately international and local flights commence operation.
OVERSIGHT:
One of the legislative powers given to a legislator both at the National and the State Assemblies is the power of Oversight function. The power to monitor, review and supervise Government Agency's projects, programmes, activities and policy implementation.
The aim of oversight function is to enhance coordination and efficiency within the government Agencies; improve the quality of relevant information and provide it in a more meaningful and useful format for the Assemby, the Governor and the public. This makes for check and balances.
Since David Lawrence took over as the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport in the 7th. Assembly, lots of changes have been recorded in the ministries he oversights, to wit: Ministry of Works, Ministry of Transport and all the Agencies within those Ministries, including Akwa Ibom Road and other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency, AKROIMA.
During the budget defence, most Agencies like the AKROIMA were found to be poorly funded, and like many others, the Works and Transport committee decided to interface with the Executives to ensure that those Agencies are not starved of funds to enable them perform maximally.
Through the oversight on some roads, especially Eket axis of Eket-Etinan road; were observed to have defections, and the contractor was ordered to work on the problem areas. Same was noticed on Awa -Ukam road, handled by VKS construction company and Nto Edino-Ekwereazu road in Obot Akara Local Government Area handled by Sayang Nig. Limited. The contractor has since overlaid alspalt on the portions that had issues. The motorists now have smooth ride on them.
The oversight also took David Lawrence's team to some roads in Eket, including the Eket-Ibeno road and the Atabong road. The contractors were complaining of lack of funds and the committee promised to engage the State Government on that through the ministry of Works.
Roads is Uyo axis, especially the ring roads 1 & 2 handled by HENSEK were progressing smoothly. The contractor impressed the Works and Transport Committee with the quality jobs and rare commitment . Unlike others, the Managing Director of Hensek Engineering Services, confessed that his company is well funded and the job would be delivered on record time, if the weather remains clement.
An oversight function therefore is a critical component of good governance, it is germane to government actions.
EMPOWERMENT:
It is on record that David Lawrence has empowered his Constituents more than any other Lawmaker from Eket Federal Constituency. During his last constituency briefing and empowerment, he gave out over 35 cars, motorcycles, Household appliances to his Constituents across eleven wards.
He also trained his Constituents on Pipeline Fittings, Welding and Scalfolding. Some, especially women were trained on fashion designs.
Another landmark achievements of Rt. Hon. Lawrence is the construction of a massive 1-storey multi-purpose building at Idua, Eket. The buliding has a massive hall and offices upstairs. The contract for the construction of this building was awarded to members of his constituents. That's another form of empowerment, you must agree.
The Eket Lawmaker also, is part of success stories of some students of tertiary institutions, as he oftentimes openly and secretly assist students financially through scholarship and welfare money. Many he can't keep records of.
OTHER INITIATIVES:
The Eket House Member, also attracted the construction of 6-lane Super Highway. The highway traverses about 5 local government areas of Eket, Ibeno, Esit-Eket and Uruefong-Oruko, to the proposed ibaka seaport project site at Mbo local government area.
He also facilitated the construction of the modern Eket Sport Stadium.
Despite the fact that the last election that saw him successful wasn't easy on his finances, as the case went up to Court of Appeal, he still assist many constituents especially those with medical issues, accommodation issues and many social challenges.
COVID -19 ERA:
As a concern citizen and a man that is compassionate, the Eket Lawmaker was not found wanting in the area of giving out palliatives to the less previlaged in his constituency. He doled out hundered of thousands of Naira as his contribution to the Eket Covid-19 Action Committee as was set up by the Eket Local Government Chairman, Hon. Frank Archibong. The Eket Lawmaker also gave out bags of rice, cartons of noodles and other food items to his people to cushion the effect of the lockdown.
With the remaining 3 years before the end of his 2nd.term in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the expections from his Constituents are high. He also has a lot to do for his people, even across the federal constituency.
With the Boundless Grace that God has given him, he would do all things through Christ that strengthens him.
Only God!
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