Reps member gifts constituents N20 million for Xmas

Ini Billie, Uyo

House Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Mr Onofiok Luke, representing Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency has given his constituents N20 million for the Christmas celebration.

Speaking on Tuesday in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State during a stakeholders/end of the year get-together, Luke said the Christmas package was to ensure members of the constituency celebrate the festive season despite the harsh economy.

Announcing that Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom would share N6 million, N5.5 million, N5.5 million respectively, which amounts to N17 million, Luke who was the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly said the extra N3 million would be for the leaders of the constituency.

He said: “For today, we will drop the sum of N17 million, Etinan will take N6 million, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom would share N5.5 million each. I have added an additional N3 million for the leaders, totalling N20 million.

“This is not a proceed from any constituency project. This is not the money from the Federal Government to come and do empowerment. It is my personal savings with my family. It is savings from what God has given to me, to come and share with you.

“I would still come back for the constituency empowerment and when that time comes, all of you would be informed about it.”

The lawmaker who also declared support for the completion agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel lauded the PDP-led administration in the state for the rehabilitation of Etinan General Hospital, construction of Uyo – Etinan road and other roads in the Federal Constituency.

He said: “I want to stand on behalf of you to appreciate the leader of this party, Governor Udom Emmanuel for his infrastructural renaissance in the federal constituency. When I speak, I speak with facts and figures.

“Last weekend, I had the opportunity to drive from Ikot Oku Ikono through Ekom Iman junction, and I was heading towards the local government. I saw the spate of work by Julius Berger in the Uyo- Etinan-Eket road. I appreciate the governor for that”.

Also speaking, Senator Effiong Bob described the meeting as the first of its kind in the Federal Constituency and commended Luke for bringing the three local government areas to one place to give back to them during the Christmas period.

He declared support of the constituency for the completion agenda of Governor Emmanuel, adding that at the appropriate time the Federal Constituency will speak with one voice.

He charged members of the constituency to take advantage of the e-registration of the PDP and the continuous voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to harness their votes during the elections.

On their part, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr Aniefiok Dennis, representing Etinan in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, and Chairmen of Nsit Ibom LGA, Mr Eric Akpan, who spoke on behalf of other Chairmen appreciated the cash gift, saying it was a challenge for them to also reach out to their constituents.