Baskadia

ETTAH EMMANUEL O.

The central senatorial district has witnessed mixed reactions regarding Sen. Eteng Jones Williams achievements in his first year in office. While some have acknowledged his accomplishments, others have sought to misrepresent facts and downplay his efforts. Despite not being the most media-savvy or loudest national assembly member, Sen. Eteng has demonstrated significant progress in his legislative duties and contributions to his constituents.

In terms of lawmaking, Sen. Eteng has made a notable impact, with eight legislative contributions, including three bills and five motions. This achievement places him second among the three Senators and third overall among all national assembly members from the state, surpassed only by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong and Reps Victor Abang (Mature).

Eteng has also secured thirteen appointments and employment opportunities for his constituents, a feat that ranks him among the highest performers in this regard amongst his national assembly colleagues from the state. The beneficiaries include individuals placed in various positions, such as Senior Legislative Aides to the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, the Nigerian Police Academy, Nigerian Airforce Direct Short Service, and the Nigerian Army.

The beneficiaries include Bernard Inah, appointed as Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President (Petroleum Upstream), Hon. Usang Eteng Mbang, Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President, and Gabriel Ojie Otu, Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President. Others are Ibor Divibe-Oyoke Omori, who was admitted to the Nigerian Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State, Peace Igri Ofem, who was accepted into the Nigerian Airforce Direct Short Service, and Moses Omini, Godwin Christopher, Abam Ubi Michael, Ojong Ojong Ojong, Ibiang Bassey Precious, and Ben Igbor Ruth, who all secured appointments with the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police.

In addition to his legislative and employment efforts, the Senator has facilitated entrepreneurship and skill acquisition training, grants, and other initiatives for his constituents. He has secured training for 200 artisans in agro-economy, payment of N30,000 grants to 600 constituents, and 40 youths from Cross River Central for vocational skills training in the oil and gas sector. He has also facilitated the payment of N50,000 grants to 1,200 people in the central senatorial district.

His commitment to empowering his constituents extends to nominating 200 individuals from the central senatorial district to the national social register, enabling them to receive government assistance. He has also donated cars to some constituents, addressing their mobility challenges. Furthermore, he has awarded scholarships to 21 law school students from his constituency and sponsored a six-day medical outreach that catered to approximately 10,000 people, including 235 successful surgeries.

To address water challenges in select communities, he has facilitated the construction of solar-powered boreholes in various locations, including Ediba-Abi, Ijom-Ugep, Assiga New Town-Yakurr, and others, set to be flagged off soon.

Similarly, the Senator has facilitated the rehabilitation and grading of the Mkpani-Agoi road in Yakurr Local Government Area. Additionally, he has supported farmers with the facilitation of two trailer loads of fertilizers.

While there is room for improvement in engaging with his constituents, Sen. Eteng's achievements in his first year have been encouraging. His nominated projects for the new fiscal year, including road construction, schools, hospitals, renovations, and skills acquisition centers, promise to further benefit his constituents.

-Inyali Peter, Ph.D