"As it concerns the advancement of Akwa Ibom state, I have tried to be vocal in advocating the issues that pertains to Akwa Ibom State on the floor of the National Assembly and will continue to do so" Onofiok Luke
Gentlemen of the Press, I am a man that believes in the integrity of character. I, Onofiok Akpan Luke is a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
I have always ran politics with strong convictions. I am a man who stands by what he believes. I believe I have demonstrated discipline in my political sojourn and will not compromise it now when I am getting towards the curve of my political journey
What my critics don't understand is that at the national level, bipartisan approach to governance is essential if not pivotal. Your ability to coalesce the various stakeholders regardless of party affiliations to drive home the interest of your Federal Constituency is a necessary survival instinct.
You cannot be defining PDP/APC when there are pressing topical national issues seeking attention and legislations. Acknowledging this shouldn't suddenly make you disloyal to your party.
Today, with this bipartisan approach to politics, I have advocated the granting of license for the operation of Ibom Deep Seaport, reviving of Aluminium Smelter Company in Ikot Abasi, creation of a division of the Court of Appeal in Uyo,
When we began our campaign for the House of Representatives, we drove with the mantra; "A voice to speak and a heart to give back". Seventeen months on this project I'll leave you with the privilege of evaluating me If I have truly lived to the principles of my campaign poetry.
On the floor of the House, I have advocated several issues that will advance Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria. I have been a voice for improving the judicial system in the country. Worried by the slow pace of justice dispensation, I have championed the course of speedy dispensation of justice in Nigeria. In a manner of a motion I called for more Justices to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Today, more Justices have been appointed to the Supreme Court.
I have spoken for the welfare of judicial officers and increased security around judges in the country. My believe is that, if these judges feel insecured or suffer kidnap like it was in the case of Justice Dogo, it will hamper justice delivery. These judges may be afraid to dispense justice.
On 29 October 2019 before the National Judicial Council I advocated for a division of the Court of Appeal to be established in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to save the volume of cases from Akwa Ibom taken to calabar in the face of the poor state of Calabar- Itu road.
On 5 November 2019 on the floor of the House, I called for Dr Stella Adadevoh who saved this nation from Ebola ravaging it, to be immortalized. I believe that those who exhibits good deeds in this nation should be rewarded. We must not fail in this if we must make progress as a state and a nation.
On 12 November 2019, I called for the proposed tax reforms to be in line with best practice so as not to overburden small businesses with taxation.
I have also in countless times lend my voice to debates on the worsening security situations in our country.
I have also spoken loudly in favour of electoral reforms. And same for economic reforms.
As at today I have fourteen Bills and Four motions I have sponsored.
1.National Institute for Electoral Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2019
2. Courts Sanctity (Preservation) Bill, 2020
3. Legislative House (Privileges and Powers) (Amendment) Bill, 2019
4. Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, 2020
5. Sheriffs and Civil Process (Amendment) Bill, 2020
6. Police (Amendment) Bill, 2020
7. Constitution Amendment (Elevation of Judges) Bill, 2020
8. Constitution Amendment (Traditional Rulers) Bill, 2020
9. Constitution Amendment (Railway) Bill, 2020
10. Constitution Amendment (State Police) Bill, 2020
11. Constitution Amendment (Maritime) Bill, 2020
12. Constitution Amendment ( Elevation of Judges) Bill 2020
13. Limitation Period ( Freezing) Bill 2020
14. A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CAP, C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide for quick dispensation of justice and completion of criminal matters tried by the Judge of a High Court before his elevation to the Court of Appeal and for related matters.
MOTIONS
1. Call on Federal Republic Government to make Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) functional.
2. Urgent Need for the Federal Government to Postpone Sports Festival in Edo State and Other Large Gatherings.
3. Urgent Need for Security Agencies to Ensure the Release of Hon. Justice Chioma Nwosu and Increase Security and Protection around Judicial Officers across Nigeria.
4. Urgent Need for the Federal Government to appoint more Supreme Court Justices to expedite justice delivery in the country.
These and many more are my legislative stewardship as a Member of the House of Representatives.
I have not been afraid to speak up on matters brought to the floor of the House. My voice was strong on the issue of the xenophobic attack of Nigerians in South Africa. My voice was heard on the issue of rising unemployment amongst the youths. My voice was loud on the condemnation of employment racketeering in the country's public service. My voice was heard when I warned about the angst among the youth of this nation. Little did I know that I was speaking into the future of the EndSARs protest which will now show the nation the level of angst amongst the younger generation.
My voice was clear in condemnation of the $9.6bn Arbitral award and interest yielding damages against the Federal Government of Nigeria in favour of P&ID. And I said the matter should be investigated and those who have erred in the matter be answerable.
I recall how sad I was during the 2020 budget Defence of the Ministry of Works, to know from the Honourable Minister that a paltry sum of a little above 1bn Naira was voted for the construction of Calabar- Itu road that has been in a deplorable state. I told the Minister that our people have suffered enough on that road for something to be done and done urgently.
I have been called upon to serve in different capacities at the national level. Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, member of several Adhoc Committees, Member of several Standing Committees, Member of the Body of Benchers and others. Most importantly the State Caucus in the House of Representatives nominated me to serve as a member from the state in the adhoc committee on constitutional review, this is a big burden, pending when we will receive a formal position of the state on constitutional issues, I will be glad to work with you to coalesce views from our people that will be incorporated in the process.
As a mark of my representation agenda, I gathered my constituents on the 11th December 2019, in partnership with Yiaga Africa, and held a Town Hall Meeting in my Federal Constituency to expand our robust legislative engagement.
I attracted a free medical outreach to my Federal which took place in Nsit Ubium LGA. Many of my Constituents benefit immensely from that outreach.
We distributed laptops and educational materials to students in my Constituency as support to their education.
At the height of the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020, Food items running into millions of Naira were distributed to the three Local Government Areas under my Constituency. I also donated money to the state government through the office of Multilateral and Donor Agencies as our support to the fight against COVID-19.
I spoke loud on the floor of the House calling how the Federal Government to provide support to local manufacturers Producing Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE) during this fight against COVID-19.
On 15 August 2020, my wife Dr (Mrs) Uduak Onofiok Luke doled out ,#7.5million ( Seven Million and Five Hundred Thousand Naira) as business support to 350 women in the Federal Constituency.
In the area of employment, which is one aspect you will never find me publishing names of beneficiaries and the establishments/Organisations they were and have been employed into. To the glory of God I have influenced the gainful employment of 12 of my Constituents
From 2019 to date I have attracted 10 projects to my Federal Constituency. Out of which 6 have been executed and the others will be executed within the time frame given.
1.CONSTRUCTION OF BLOCKS OF CLASSROOMS WITH FURNITURE, FITTINGS, STORE AND TOILET AT IKOT OBIO INYANG L.G.A, ETINAN/ NSIT IBOM/ NSIT UBIUM L.G.A
2. CONSTRUCTION OF ICT KNOWLEDGE CENTRE AND FURNISHING/PROVISION OF 30 NO. DESKTOP COMPUTERS AT COMMUNITY COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL. IKOT OKOBO, NSIT UBIUM L.G.A
3. FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH ACROSS ETINAN/NSIT IBOM/NSIT UBIUM L.G.A
4. CONSTRUCTION OF ICT KNOWLEDGE CENTRE AND FURNISHING/PROVISION OF 30 NO. DESKTOP COMPUTERS AT NSIT PEOPLES GRAMMER SCHOOL, AFAHA OFFIONG, NSIT IBOM L.G.A
5. CONSTRUCTION OF CONSTITUENCY COMMUNITY CENTRE AT ETINAN L.G.A
6. VOCATIONAL SKILL TRAINING FOR WOMEN AND YOUTHS IN NSIT UBIUM L.G.A AND PROCUREMENT/SUPPLIES OF HAIR DRESSING EQUIPMENTS, SEWING MACHINES AND GENERATOR
7. SUPPLY/INSTALLATION OF 500KVA/11KV LINE ELECTRICITY TRANSFORMER FOR EKPENE IKPAN NSIT, NSIT IBOM L.G.A
8. SUPPLY OF 49 NO. PIECES OF COMPUTER LAPTOPS
9. SUPPLY OF 13. NO TRICYCLES
10. SUPPLY OF 5. NO BLOCK MOULDING MACHINES
Just yesterday 31 Councillors from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency returned to Uyo from Abuja after 3 days intensive training on leadership development. Sponsoring these Councillors to the 2 -day Leadership Masterclass training at GOTNI Leadership Centre in Abuja. This exercise came at a great cost for me but I took satisfaction in the benefits of what the Councillors had to gain. Therein rested my fulfillment.
No comments:
Post a Comment