By Itam Offor
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State House of Assembly has confirmed the following Nominees as Chairman and Commissioners of the State Local Government Service Commission.
They are; Barr Eyo Nsa Ekpo (Chairman), Dr Ekeng Effiom Edet (Commissioner 1), Dr Emmanuel Ntuyam (Commissioner 2), Dr Ondale Innocent Akor (Commissioner 3), and Obia Lawrence Bassey (Commissioner 4).
Also confirmed are, Hon. Rita Ayim (Commissioner 5), Hon. John Olom Otu (Commissioner 6) as well as Mr Bassey Abam Eko who is to serve as the new Auditor General for Local Government.
The Assembly granted confirmation after deliberating on the report of its Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions, and Conflict Resolution, brought before it by Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, Member representing Abi State Constituency, Deputy Leader and Chairman of the Committee.
In his report, Hon. Etta recalled the earlier correspondence received by the House, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) requesting the Assembly’s confirmation of the Nominees.
Etta stated that the nomination of the Chairman and Commissioners of the State Local Government Service Commission by the State Governor were in compliance with Section 49(1) and (2) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, 2007 (as amended) as well as Section 14(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which recognises geographical spread.
Similarly, Etta stated that the nomination of Auditor General for Local Government was in tandem with Section 56(1) of the Cross River State Local Government Law 2007 (as amended).
Other lawmakers, in their separate contributions, noted that all the nominees were persons of proven integrity who are qualified for the appointments.
The lawmakers further commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for nominating qualified Cross Riverians and also ensuring proper spread across the State.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, while commending the State Governor expressed satisfaction with the calibre of persons nominated. He urged them to work hard to justify the confidence of the Governor who nominated them.
