Akwa Ibom Assembly hold public hearing on GIS, Procurement, others
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Monday held a public hearing on three key bills aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery in the state.
The bills namely, the proposed Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information Service Bill, the Public Procurement Agency Bill, and the Senior Citizens Agency Bill.
Speaking at the hearing, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House and Member representing the Oruk Anam State Constituency, Hon. Sampson Idiong, advocated for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information Service, describing it as a critical step toward improving land administration and promoting development.
Idiong, who also chairs the House Committee on Lands, Housing, and Urban Renewal, said the proposed agency would provide accurate land records, enhance transparency, support infrastructure development, and improve access to land information for citizens and investors.
According to him, the agency would also reduce delays in land transactions, boost revenue generation, and help resolve land-related disputes through reliable geospatial data.
He added that the service would assist the government in protecting public assets, including schools and healthcare facilities, from encroachment through proper mapping and monitoring, noting that the proposed service will assist in addressing boundary disputes and help prevent encroachment on government-owned properties.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong represented by the Member representing the Ikono State Constituency, Hon. Asuquo Nnana commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to institutional reforms and democratic governance.
He described the public hearing as an important legislative process that allows citizens and stakeholders to contribute to lawmaking by offering views and recommendations on bills under consideration.
According to him, public participation remains essential to democracy and helps lawmakers make informed decisions that reflect the interests of the people.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Emem Ibanga; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas; and the Special Adviser on the Senior Citizens Centre, Dr. Itanwan James, expressed support for the proposed Senior Citizens Agency Bill.
They described the bill as a timely initiative that would strengthen support for elderly persons and improve their welfare across the state.
The officials noted that the existing Senior Citizens Centre has continued to provide care, social interaction, and wellness programs for persons aged 65 years and older, helping to reduce loneliness and promote healthy aging.
They further stated that the center serves as a cost-saving intervention for both the government and families by reducing some of the social and healthcare challenges associated with caring for elderly persons.
The officials urged the House of Assembly to pass the bill, stressing that it would provide a sustainable framework for the care and protection of senior citizens while delivering long-term social benefits to the state.
Stakeholders at the hearing also made submissions on the various bills, and lawmakers assured participants that all recommendations would be carefully considered before the proposed laws are passed.