A’Ibom assembly summons commissioner for economic development, ALGON chairman

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr Emem Bob and the Chairman of ALGON in the state, Mr Iniobong Robson to explain modalities employed in arriving at the 1,072 nominees for the Federal Government’s conditional grant for businesses.

This was sequel to a motion brought before the House at plenary on Thursday by the member representing Eket, Dr Nsidibe Akata who queried the criteria used in arriving at the 1,072 beneficiaries.

They are expected to brief the lawmakers on the modalities employed in arriving at the 1,072 nominees for the federal government’s conditional grant for businesses, being part of the FG’s scheme to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The duo are expected to appear before a Special Ad-hoc Committee of the House on Friday, February 2, 2024.

Akata informed the House of petitions, he had received across the State, hinting that whereas the Federal government had disbursed N50 billion to 774 LGAs in the country, as part of its programmes aimed at alleviating the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

He added that stakeholders were to be involved in the selection of beneficiaries in each of the local government areas and under the scheme, beneficiaries are to receive N50,000 grant.

He expressed surprise that such was not the case in Akwa Ibom and wondered how the Ministry of Economic Development arrived at the 1, 072 nominee list.

Other lawmakers including, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Kufreabasi Edidem expressed displeasure over the way and manner the Federal government’s financial grant to Nano business owners were being handled by the Commissioner.

The Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong, observed  with dismay that petitions  from over 90 per cent of communities across the 31 LGA’s had trailed the way and manner the Commissioner was handling the disbursement of the fund