BEING TEXT OF INAUGURAL PRESS BRIEFING OF THE SEVENTH AKWA IBOM STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION, RT. HON. (BARR.) ANIEFIOK DENNIS, ON THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019.
Gentlemen of the press, there is no better starting point of this inaugural press briefing than expressing my appreciation to all of you, members of the fourth estate of realm, for holding to the tenets of your profession and your support during the 2019 general elections, especially in Akwa Ibom State. There is no doubt that Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has enjoyed the support and patronage of the media from its inception, but like Oliver Twist, this 7th Assembly still solicits the support of the media on its journey for the betterment and progress of Akwa Ibom State.
As you are all aware, the various standing committees of the 7th Akwa Ibom state Assembly were inaugurated last week. The committees, 26, all hit the ground running with their different assignments.
This brief Interaction with you, the media is therefore intended to serve two purposes; first, to introduce you to the chairman and members of the House committee and, second, to formally signal the commencement of our assignment. For us in the information committee, we consider this short meeting very important and strategic in our collective goal of positioning and projecting the activities, engagements and achievements of the 7th Assembly.
As a vital arm of government in a democracy, we will strive to step up our core functions in this dispensation and our focus shall include, but not limited to :
* enacting legislations and resolutions aimed at promoting and fast tracking the Completion Agenda of the state government.
* Interfacing and engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project towards sustainable development of the state.
* Encouraging the participation of the people in the process of law making and governance through the hosting of regular public hearings on crucial issues, law making and governance.
* More than ever, the 7th Assembly will step up its over sight functions with the view of ensuring greater efficiency in the Ministries, Local Governments, Departments and Agencies.
The 7th Assembly solicits for synergy and collaboration on effective reportage of its activities. May I therefore, respectfully, appeal to you to give the 7th Assembly adequate and objective coverage. I want to assure you all that the 7th Assembly shall handle all your requests speedily, honestly and professionally, we shall be committed to free flow of information at all times.
It goes without saying accordingly, that the progress and development of Akwa Ibom State requires a collective effort. It is imperative therefore that we solicit for the support of the media.
Gentlemen of the press kindly permit me to conclude by once again appealing most passionately for your support and cooperation with our committee and by extension the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to enable us accomplish our mission, always feel free to contact us for any information that might assist you in your reportage of our activities.
The turbocharged 7th Assembly is eager, prepared and ready to carry out its core mandate, functions and/or duties as provided by relevant extant laws and statutes with the sole aim of improving our society and giving effective representation to the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
Thank you.
N/B: Members of the Committee present during the Press Corps briefing were: Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. (Otuekong) Nse Essien, Member representing Onna State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Mark Esset, representative for Nsit Atai State Constituency, Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem, Itu State Constituency and Hon. Mfon Idung, Member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency.
