Akwa Ibom Governor Seeks Assembly’s Backing On Peace Corps

Worried by the prevailing security crises in the country with attendant negative multiplayer effects on states, Governor Umo Eno has concluded arrangements to set up a special security outfit, codenamed Ibom Peace Corps (IPC), to complement official security agencies in the task of effectively policing the state.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the state security agency to be established with the same operational guidelines like ‘Amotekun’ in the west, is expected to provide security cover for the local government chairmen across the 31 local government areas as the governor has ordered the relocation of the council bosses for effective grassroots administration and development.

The governor has thus transmitted no fewer than four executive bills for quick passage into law in line with Order 7, Rule 2 (1) of the Standing Order of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, requesting the assembly to “consider the bills for further legislative actions and subsequent passage into law.”

Checks by our correspondent revealed that the first letter is, “A bill for a law to make the chairmen of local government councils in Akwa Ibom State to reside in their local government areas of operation during their tenure of office, and for connected purposes,” while the second letter is, “a bill for a law to establish the Ibom Peace Corps (IPC), and for connected purposes.”

The third message is, “A bill for a law to make special provisions for statutory boards in the state, and for connected purposes,” while the fourth message from the governor was on, “a bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics (AISBS) and Statistical System, and for other matters connected therewith.”

During plenary at the weekend, the speaker, Rt Hon Udeme Otong, directed the clerk, Mrs Nsikak Abasi Orok, to read out the content of the letters, while the lawmaker representing Ini State Constituency, Hon Lawrence Udoide, moved for the adoption of the governor’s message, and seconded by the member for Etinan State Constituency, Hon Uduak Ekpo-Ufot.

After due considerations, the assembly committed the bills to the Committee on Rules, Ethics, Business and Privileges “for further legislative action.”