Udom Inaugurates 21-man Transition Committee

The Akwa Ibom State Governor-Elect Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has inaugurated a 21-member transition committee with a charge to ensuring a hitch free transition to the next administration come May 29.

The committee which was inaugurated at the state banquet hall in Uyo, is chaired by Chief Sunny Akpadiaha a former head of service in the state, while Mr Udeme Ufot serves as the vice chairman and Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem as secretary.

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Mr Udom Emmanuel while inaugurating the committee thanked all political stakeholders and noted that the committee composition cuts across the academia, political class, the business class and assured that his government will build a state that give opportunities for all.

The governor-elect charged the committee that "with this singular act of reading out these names, I hereby inaugurate this 2015 transition committee to offer the realization of the Divine Mandate for the people of Akwa Ibom within a time frame of two weeks".

The governor-elect went further to read out a 10-point reference for the committee which includes to "gather information on the existing structure of the outgoing government and recommend appropriate reforms for overall improvement and better efficiency of government, ascertain the financial position of the outgoing government, assets and liabilities, revenue base and recommend improvements thereof, as well as “take inventory of vulnerable and invulnerable physical assets of government.”

Other responsibilities of the committee include, “to collect and collate information on the nominal role of each government personnel, each member of commission and important committee, ascertain the ongoing projects and programmes of the outgoing government to the extent of implementation and funding,

The committee was also invested with the responsibility to assess, “the strength and efficiencies of the state workforce, gather information on the general administration and security of the state, study the handover notes of the outgoing administration and make approximate recommendations thereof, prepare a blueprint to cover aspects of governance and development to guide the incoming administration in sectoral policy formulation, program articulation and appropriate implementation.

The governor-elect again promised to run a people-oriented government where the commonman on the streets will feel the gains of governance.

In his acceptance speech the chairman of the transition committee and former head of service in the State Chief Sunny Akpadiaha pledged loyalty to the current administration, promising to justify the confidence reposed in them.

“We see this as an opportunity to offer our services and we wish to assure you that we will deliver in two weeks with the cooperation of all government agencies and departments.”

In her message at the occasion, the state deputy governor Lady Valerie Ebe stated that, "this committee is setup by a person who was given the mandate to lead the state by the people. I have full confidence in the ability of this committee to deliver successfully".

Other members of the committee are former national lawmaker Rt. Hon. Esio Oquong Udoh, Bishop Andrew Uwanta, Dr. Chris Akpan, Barr. Jerry Akpan, Prof. George Ibe Bassey, Dr. Chris Nyong, Barr. Goddy Umoh, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, and Mr. Kennedy Akwaowo.

The immediate past NLC State Chairman Comrade Unyime Usoro, Mr. Ese Umoh (representing the youths), Rt. Hon. Kenneth Okon (representing ALGON), Prof. Maria Ikrok, Hon. (Mrs) Sarah Esitikot, Barr. Comfort Etuk, Dr. (Mrs) Marjorie George Abasiodiong, Mrs Ekaette Usip and Mr Bernard Duncan were also listed as members.

At the event was attended by the director-general of Udom/Moses Campaign Council Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, the state PDP chairman Obong Paul Ekpo, Sir Emem Akpabio, commissioners, local government chairmen, elected and serving members of the State House of Assembly among others.