By: PETER AKPANKE MEDIA.
In the February 2023 general elections, the people of Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu Federal Constituency (OBO) ushered a new dawn when they signed a social contract with Hon. Peter Akpanke by massively electing him as their Representative in the Green Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly. His victory came as a product of hope from his campaign promises for an effective, responsive, and active people-oriented representation that will give priority to the well-being of his constituents.
Admittedly, the first 100 days in a four-year term are too short to assess the performance of a legislator, especially when he/she has not taken part in the making/implementation of a budget. Nevertheless, the tradition introduced by the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1932 has become a tradition among public office holders.
Hon. Peter Akpanke assumed office as a member of the 10th assembly with a sense of urgency and has done the following within the first 100 days in office.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS/PARTNERSHIP
To achieve the goals of offering a people-oriented representation that will drive down the dividends of democracy to his constituents, Hon Peter Akpanke promised to form a strong partnership with the people for the smooth distribution and execution of constituency projects. To achieve this, the MP did the following immediately after his inauguration;
i. Needs Assessment Tour: He embarked on a needs assessment tour with elders, stakeholders, youths, and opinion molders across the three LGAs of the OBO Federal constituency.
ii. On-the-spot assessment of uncompleted and abandoned federal projects in OBO. He is in discussion with the various ministries, departments, and agencies to rehabilitate/complete the construction of such projects.
III. On-the-spot assessment of Economic sites like the Obudu Dam Resort, illegal mining sites in Utanga, Obanliku LGA, etc. for possible attraction of government’s attention so that royalties could accrue to the host communities.
2. LEGISLATION
The primary function of a House of Reps member is to make laws and sponsor bills. Within the few days of his legislative activities, MP Peter Akpanke has been active on the floor of the House. He has the following motions/bills to his credit;
I. A Motion for the immediate rehabilitation of the abandoned Obudu Dam Resort.
ii. He co-sponsored a motion (with other Cross River lawmakers) that raised an alarm that the country was on the verge of losing some parts of Cross River State to Cameroon.
iii. He presented a petition on the floor of the House from some constituents who felt that they were unjustly withdrawn from the University of Calabar.
IV. He sponsored a bill for the establishment of a Federal University of Technology in Obanliku, Cross River State.
3. PROJECTS
• Installation of solar street lights in some communities in Obanliku LGA.
•Construction of solar-powered boreholes in Sankwala Market.
•Distribution of hand pumps and herbicides to farmers in Obudu LGA.
•Distribution of sewing machines and motorbikes to selected constituents in Obudu
•Construction of solar-powered borehole at Obudu Central Market (Old Park)
•Distribution of sewing machines and motorcycles to selected beneficiaries in Bekwarra LGA
•Construction of solar borehole and toilet in Bekwarra Motor Park.
•Distribution of hand pumps and herbicides to farmers in Bekwarra
•Distribution of hand pumps, herbicides, and liquid fertilizers to Obanliku female farmers
•Entrepreneurial training/empowerment of young ladies in hairdressing and makeup business in Obanliku LGA
•Distribution of motorbikes to 20 Obanliku youths
•Entrepreneurship training and distribution of hair-making and makeup kits for hair stylists in Obudu
4. AIDS AND INTERVENTIONS
•Launching of the Akpanke Health Scheme for the benefit of his constituents
•Distribution of foodstuff to about 200 widows across the ten wards of Obudu
•Payment of hospital bills for patients in Bekwarra General Hospital
•Payment of hospital bills for the less-privileged in different hospitals across Obudu
•Distribution of food items to widows across the political wards of Obanliku LGA
•Distribution of foodstuff to over 200 widows and people living with disabilities in the 10 wards of Bekwarra
•Distribution of incentives, gift packages, and cash to constituents, unions, and associations across Obanliku, Obudu, and Bekwarra LGA for new yam celebrations
•Timely response to the collapse of the Kafa-Bridge linking Lishiche/Shikpeche and eight other communities of Bishiri North and South where he sponsored temporary paths while waiting for the relevant government agencies to commence rebuilding work on the collapsed bridge.
5. JOB CREATION
Hon Akpanke has within his short time in office facilitated jobs for several constituents, the last being 5 of his constituents who are currently undergoing training in NDLEA camps and 2 of his constituents who have resumed work at the Federal College of Education, Obudu
CONCLUSION
The first 100 days of Hon. Peter Akpanke in the House of Reps have been quite impactful and promising. The MP has no plans of slowing down in his quest to deliver the dividends of democracy to the OBO Federal constituency. He is determined to leave no stone unturned until he delivers on his campaign promises of harnessing opportunities for his constituents, emancipating women, empowering youths, supporting children’s education, and bettering the lot of his people. The MP admonished all his constituents to remain steadfast and continue to pray for him as he continues to put their interest first.
Once again, welcome to a new dawn in OBO
PETER AKPANKE MEDIA
