Cross River State Speaker of 9th Assembly Acceptance Speech.

His Excellency, The Governor of Cross River State
Hon. Deputy Speaker
Distinguished Colleagues
The State Chief Judge
The State Chairman, PDP
Elder Statesmen
My Dear wife and other Members of LEWA
Ladies and Gentlemen




Let me begin this address by thanking the Almighty God for making this day possible. I am sincerely humbled by the decision of my colleagues to elect me as the Speaker of this August Assembly, the 9th Legislature of the Cross River State House of Assembly. This vote is a confidence booster and not just the wish of the 24 members of the House but is an affirmation by the entire people of Cross River State.

When I took my first Oath of Membership of this Hon House on 7th June, 2011, little did I know that a second term and a third term was feasible. But here we are in 2019. I therefore give God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth all the glory. God has been wonderful to me right from my first tenure, and my elevation today is another indication that he has not forsaken me.

Permit me to also thank His Excellency Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State for the support I received throughout the past 4 years. You will agree with me that since His Excellency arrived on the political scene of this state, things have never been the same. There is a new thinking, and strategies of doing things. Our public spending pattern has not only become transparent but is targeted at making Cross River State an industrialized and developed State in the Country. Let me therefore use this opportunity to call on my colleagues and indeed all Cross Riverians to give His Excellency the needed support as he commits to completing all  ongoing projects. We must work as a team to ensure that the dreams, project, aspirations and programme of the present State administration become a reality.

It has not been all rosy. For instance in 2011 I had my election to this House annulled by the Election Appeal Tribunal Sitting in Calabar. Nobody gave me any chance of winning a rerun but God remained faithful.

In my 8 years sojourn in this House, I have had the privilege and Honour of working with two different Speakers. The first was Rt. Hon. Larry Odey between 2011 to 2015 and later with Rt. Hon. John Gaul Labor the immediate past Speaker of this Honourable House.

One important thing I learnt from these two distinguished legislators was the fact that they spared no time, energy and resources in making sure that the legislature maintained a cordial relationship with other Arms of Government. They did this because they knew that development can only come where there is peace, order and good governance built and sustained by the three arms of government. I am persuaded and inclined to building a more dynamic robust and result oriented relationship with other arms of government in the interest of peace and stability in our Dear State.

In this chamber I have also had course to work closely with Legislators who sacrificed their comfort for the interest of the state. This is the spirit with which I pray the 9th Assembly will imbibe in the course of carrying out its function whether in lawmaking, representation or oversight.

Over the years, I have learnt that effective leadership must establish effective, open and accessible communication channels. Consensus cannot be built when there is no effective communication. Therefore under my leadership, the 9th Assembly of this Honourable House will remain cohesive through constant dialogue emanating from formal meetings, executive sessions and individual contact.

As we know, there are plethora of challenges facing our State. These are; insecurity, unemployment, poverty, lack of power supply, as well as health challenges. We are aware of His Excellency's effort at tackling these challenges but as a House we should be resolute and firm in introducing necessary legislation that will reduce joblessness, hunger, poverty, disease and criminality in our society. To achieve these lofty aspirations, we should focus our attention at the following;

1. Improve oversight coordination and processes. 2. Improve committee system and management. 3. Strengthening the committees of the house 4. Improve communication with the public. 5. Conducting a legislative needs assessment. 6. Review/Amend the standing orders of the House. 7. Improving physical structures and equipment in the House. 8. Facilitate regular town hall meetings/engagements with constituents. 9. Enthron transparency and accountability in the management of the house resource and 10. Regular training of members and staff.

Members Welfare

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, for some time honourable members were made to endure severe discomfort in their offices and residential quarters due to incessant disconnection from public power sources. Hon. Members equally had no alternative water supply when Cross River State Water Board ran into administrative constraints. Power distribution companies made the house an easy target for disconnection even when the state government was paying its bills in bulk.

While waiting for improvement in both power and water supply the house will ensure that it finds quick, reliable and effective alternative sources to alleviate the problems.

Relationship with Civil Society

As the Chairman of finance and appropriation committee, I had the benefit of working with civil society organizations within and outside Cross River State. This interface helped the committee in making recommendations to the house on critical appropriation particularly allocation proposed proposed for social services. Permit me to acknowledge, the effort of Budget Transparency and Accountability Network. Through this NGO, Cross River State was able to appreciate the challenges faced by women, children and vulnerable groups in the society.

As this 9th Assembly commences its legislative work, let us make deliberate effort to engage the non governmental sector in our public hearing and oversight investigations.

The achievements recorded by this Hon. House since 1999 were made possible through the commitment and sacrifice of the Clerk of the House and other staff of the Assembly. Our staff have remained an institutional memory over which Hon members have come to tap knowledge and experience from.

Howee,there has been no deliberate training plan to sustain and build their capacity to conform with the ever changing technological age. We shall therefore make training a priority for both members and staff. This may be difficult to achieve at a go. But will be phased to reflect the availability of funds.

Before I conclude, I want to thank in a special way my Dear wife, family members, friends, well wishers and constituents who have stood by me all this while. I promise, I will not disappointe you. 

Finally, there is a popular saying that "A house divided against itself cannot stand" I therefore, seek the maximum cooperation and support of my very Hon. Colleagues to make Cross River State 9th Assembly the strongest and  most viable Assembly in the history of Cross River State. We should put put aside rancour, personal interest, acrimony and strive which are inimical to development to ensure that the Cross River Vision is our collective responsibility. I know you have the capacity to do the best you can for Cross River State. And at the end, Crossriverians will be proud of you and your names will be written in the sands of time.

Thank you and God Bless Cross River