AKS Govt. House Invasion: AKHA clears air on 7 days ultimatum to DSS

By Aniekan Sunday

The 6th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has cleared the air on the 7 days ultimatum given to the operatives of Directorate of Security Service (DSS) over its recent invasion of Akwa Ibom State Government House.
Addressing members of the AKHA Press Corp during a Media Chat, at the Assembly Complex, the House Committee Chairman on Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon said the House is still against the act of the DSS.
“Yes, it is true that, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly rose in Unisom to speak against the invasion of the Government House of Akwa Ibom State and our position is still what we had stated that our government House was invaded, and was done in a very bad taste against the principle of democracy and I think it could only happen in Akwa Ibom State, it may not be done in any other place. So, we are still against what was done”, he said.
On the issue of the 7 days ultimatum, Ime Okon who is also the member representing Ibiono Ibom State constituency, said “it’s also true that we said in 7 days if nothing is done, we will go to court, but I want to inform you that between the period that we had that press conference and now, there have been some intervening factors and we are still discussing and at the end of the day, if we are still not satisfy, will do what we had said we will do. But for now, we don’t want to rock the boat until some agreements have been reached.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker said that the essence of the interaction was to strengthen the relationship in the drive to ensure that the dividends of democracy are brought within the reach of the people oriented legislation and representation.
He stated that his committee wishes to regularly interact with the media on the activities of the House even as he commended the press for the existing cordial relationship with the sixth Assembly.
According to him, “Let me stress that the House has no intension to muzzle the press. Of course we have no power to do that, but, it is our collective interest that the law to regulate the publication and distribution of newspaper and to register newspaper and News Agents in Akwa Ibom State.
He took time to brief the press on developments of Six Assembly since it was inaugurated on 8th June, 2015. He noted that the AKHA under the speakership of Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko has long settled down to the business of law making not minding the unwarranted and unnecessary distraction occasioned by the ongoing cases at the tribunals.
Rt. Hon. Okon said the sixth Assembly is determined to make appropriate laws to facilitate the provision of job for the teeming youths, provide food, security, education and to facilitate the industrialization drive of government, adding that aside from law making, legislature would also ensures the compliance with budgetary provision through oversight functions.
He assured Akwa Ibom people that the sixth Assembly has what it takes to deliver on its mandate and cooperation, support and understanding of media practitioners.
He also used the opportunity to stress the need for media managers of government to be proactive in their responsibilities in order to reduce avoidable and unnecessary resistance.