SENATOR ASUQUO EKPENYONG: IMPACTFUL SERVICE THROUGH LEGISLATION

When they say that the legislature is the soul of democracy, buried in that assertion is the truism that the legislature plays very crucial role in achieving the goals of democracy.

However, one must be quick to note that the significance of the legislature is as important as those elected as legislators across the different tiers of government. Legislators make the legislature tick.

That is why when one spots a legislator that has shown capacity, credibility and passion for the development of the society, adding value to the lives of the people, it is just pertinent that such should be roundly commended. This analogy fits Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong like a second skin. The senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District and Chairman Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has truly impacted on his people, justifying the confidence reposed in him by the massive votes he got at the polls.

Distinguished Senator Ekpenyong has cut across various sectors and strata of the society in his avowed commitment to help the masses, and has shown that service to the people is more of a passion and determination than office or position. As a senator, he has discharged himself creditably well.

He has focused in infrastructure, education, health and socio-economic development of his constituents.

Some of his accomplishments are the intervention programmes across the seven local government areas of the Southern Senatorial District where he has ameliorated the economic hardship of his constituents through food palliatives and relief materials distributed to over 1000 constituents.

Distinguished Senator Ekpenyong has facilitated the
installation of solar light in Akamkpa local government area for Uyanga, Iko, Eku and Akamkpa Urban communities.

Senator Ekpenyong has equally installed solar light in Calabar South Local Government Area for communities such as Mount Zion, Yellow Duke, Atamunu and Goldie Streets .

Same gesture of solar installation has been extended to Akpabuyo local government area to such communities as Atimbo East, Atimbo West, Idundu, Ayanhase, Ikot Eneyo and Akansoko.

Bakassi Local Government Area has also felt the air of quality representation of Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong through solar installation in Abikpa, Ekpri Ikang, Ikang Town, Esighi, Idua Inwang, Ekpene, Esuk, Ikot Inwang, Edik Dim, Ifiang Anyong, Ifiang , Nsidong and Efut Esighi communities.

Same has been done in Biase local government area for Betem and environs, Idoma and environs, Ehom and environs, Abini and environs.

Senator Ekpenyong has facilitated scholarships for students across the 18 local government areas of the State under his education support programme. The height of it is that this covers international scholarships for post graduate students studying in different parts of the world in lucrative fields of study.

Senator Ekpenyong has facilitated the disbursements of One Hundred Million Naira (100,000,000) cash transfer grant to 1,500 constituents in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) to enable constituents support their businesses.

There is road rehabilitation in Calabar South Local Government Area at Mayne Avenue and Ephraim Streets, Goldie, Queen Duke and Howet Streets where work is in progress.

Senator Ekpenyong has organised medical outreach for the seven local government areas of his Senatorial District in partnership with Child Survival and Development Organisation of Nigeria and World Surgical Foundation where over 220 constituents have benefitted. Series of surgeries and medical procedures took place at the women and children’s hospital in Calabar.

Still in education support initiative, he is to support undergraduate and postgraduate students of Cross River South at Federal universities, State University, college of education, college of health technology and school of nursing.

He has intervened massively in roads, electricity, education, street light installation, business development for small and medium scale entrepreneurs, scholarships, grants, palliatives and agricultural support services.

There is equally the award of grants and distribution of essential business items to over 700 of his constituents at a workshop that held in channel view hotels, Calabar.

Also, in collaboration with SMEDAN and Trust Fund Microfinance Bank, over 500 women and young people received grants ranging from 100, 000 to 200,000 Naira for micro and small businesses.

Recently, under the said education support initiative, over 500 students received the sum of 50,000 Naira each as education support assistance from Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.

As the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Ekpenyong has performed excellently in the aspect of oversight function, providing competent leadership of the committee, and supporting the interventionist agency to deliver for the people of the Niger Delta.

He has equally attracted some projects and programmes to his people, partnering with the NDDC such as the free medical outreach for Odukpani and Biase local government areas featuring surgeries, free eye checks, free eye glasses, free consultations, free drugs and counselling. He has utilised his position effectively for service to the people.

Evidently, he has touched all segments of the society and all sectors of the economy. His impactful representation is felt by men, women, youths and children.

He has attracted development not just to the seven local government areas of his Southern Senatorial District but to the entire 18 local government areas of Cross River State.

And despite his commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to his people, he is not found wanting in his legislative duties. He is doing exceedingly well in the Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria, making laws for the betterment of the society.

These and other accomplishments of Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong is worthy of commendation, he has proven that the legislature is a critical leg upon which democracy stands on.

This article is courtesy:
Zainab A. Ibrahim
Director General
Advocates for Good Governance and Humanity (Renewed Hope)
Abuja
Email: advocates.goodgovernance@gmail.com
Facebook: Advocates for Good Governance