By Ifiok Itiaba
Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs was created to over see the affairs of all the Local Governments and traditional institutions of the State.
For years now, the Ministry has had many commissioners and each contributing their share of experience in making sure that the Ministry is purposeful in doing what it ought to be doing for the sake of development.
Although the place is characterised with different kinds of problems ranging from delay or non-payment of stipends and provision of official vehicle to traditional rulers, the problem seems to be a national issue.
Having known all these problems which are mostly inherited and failure of many previous leaders to totally inject a lasting solution, Mr Udom Emmanuel the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in his wisdom recently appointed Hon Frank Archibong to oversee the affairs of the Ministry.
Mr Frank Archibong has within one month in office as a commissioner shown himself to be the missing link between the local government, traditional institutions and the government.
It is good to say that Akwa Ibom State this time around is fortunate to have this noble man who has managed the affairs of local governments as State Chairman of ALGON when he was the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area.
The vision being conceived by Archibong is to work hard as a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ministry that is known to be the heartbeat of people who are in dire need of true change, wanting to feel the impact of good leadership.
Thus he has created relationship with the State Council of Chiefs by interceding on their behalf when intimated the executive on the need for omitted villages and clans to be recognized.
Having served as a local government chairman, Hon Frank Archibong should always as he did in his speech during the commissioning of the traditional identify and highlight some of the impediments to the realization of good governance at the grassroots.
"Amendment of Traditional Rulers Council (TRC) Law to allow for a Clan Head to preside at meetings of the TRC as Ag. President in case of incapacitation of the Paramount Ruler. This is to ensure that there is continuity anytime a Paramount Ruler is indisposed”.
"Enactment of an enabling Law to make Family Heads statutory Members of Village Councils".
Being a link between the third tier of government, traditional institutions and the Executive, Hon. Archibong should bring positive and radical changes in local government administration and chieftaincy affairs of the state through underlining reforms.
His belief in the Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration has make him restate his readiness to implement new policies, programmes and activities that will make local governments administration enjoyable.
No wonder he was commended by the Governor during the commissioning of the traditional Rulers Chambers as a round peck in a round hole. "I think this is one appointment that I’ve made, which to me is satisfactory; this appointment to me is like putting a round peck in a round hole. Frank Archibong is vested with the required experience and expertise to handle this ministry".
Although his priority focus is embedded in the interpretation of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s good agenda of industrialisation and a peaceful state, it is of the believe that Hon Frank Archibong will bring good governance and dividends of democracy to people at the grassroots as well as help strengthen the Traditional Institutions in Akwa Ibom State.
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