2015: Zoning must not engender mediocrity – A’Ibom Lawmaker

Hon. Ime Okon is Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency. He is an astute lawyer with many years of experience and held swell as the chairman, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Committee on Business and Rules.

He commands a region of followers in his Ibiono Ibom local government and beyond due to his kind-heartedness and avid passion for human capacity development. Barr. Okon has served his people in various responsibilities including as the local government council chairman.

In this interview with Newsmen; Obong Okon who fielded questions on several topical issues, advised political officeholders to see themselves as servants to the people who elected them. Excerpts:   

It is alleged that Lawmakers in Nigeria earn the highest pay as against their counterparts in other countries. There are prepositions that the job of lawmaking should be a part-time one. What is your opinion?

Thank you very much but, you would have put the question in proper perspective with facts and figures as to what the salaries of the legislatures are? For instance, what is a senator taking per month? What is the pay of a member in the House of Representative? What is the pay of a member of the state House of Assembly? However, let me talk about that of the house of Assembly because, that is where I am.

I do not think that our salaries meet the expectations of our constituencies. Having said that, I am of the view that lawmaking is a very serious business; it does not end in sitting in the Chambers, talking, arguing, debating and finally maybe chunking out laws but. It includes some oversight functions and also the aspects of representation which is very important.

Primarily, agreed, the duty of a legislator is to make laws but, he has a greater responsibility to perform for the constituency he represents. By drawing government attention to the needs of his constituency and see how government can come in to handle those challenges. In doing so, he meets with his people on a daily basis; interacts with his constituents always to find out their needs.

He cannot do that successfully if the job were to be on part-time because, he would also have to attain to his personal needs as well, to ensure that he makes earn meets and also meets the expectations of his family. So, to ensure that his full attention is devoted to his duties, I support that it should not be part-time but full-time. 

As the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chairman, House Committee on Business and Rules, what is your assessment of the Fifth Assembly?

Yes! The Fifth Assembly that came in on 6^th of June, 2011 is doing exceedingly well under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Elder Samuel Ikon. The fifth Assembly isreferred to as the Peoples’ Assembly which, implies that the Assembly must protect the interests of the common man. We have been doing that overtime; if you consider the Bills that have been passed by us, most of all, I will not forget the resolutions that effected a change in the leadership of the Police Force in Akwa Ibom State. You will recall what we had to go through security-wise until, that change was effected through the resolution of the fifth Assembly so, I think, we are doing well.

Incidentally, every member of the fifth Assembly keeps referring to that particular resolution as the best action taken by the house. Sir, apart from that resolution, what other Resolutions or Bills passed by the fifth Assembly that you can say is people-oriented?

As a follow up to my answer to your last question, the fifth Assembly has a good working relationship with the governor of the state and by extension, the executive of the Akwa Ibom State Government. And, it is because of this collaboration that has been possible for the government to record the magnitude of infrastructural renaissancethat we all experience in Akwa Ibom State and therefore, to zero in on the other question, the appropriate laws that we passed take into consideration the interest of our people to ensure that the transformation drive is not jeopardized.

There is a perception that the fifth Assembly does not bite enough like other state Houses of Assembly in the country thus, giving the impression that it is a rubber-stamp House of Assembly. What is your take?

We have heard about the rubber-stamping; we have heard about it overtime and I think, even my Speaker at a point said that he will continue to rubber-stamp if that will continue to mean development in Akwa Ibom State. I don’t know why people think that the legislature should at all time be at conflict with the executive arm of government, so that, impression could be given that the legislature can bite.

It’s only if a situation arises that there must be a disagreement between the legislature and the executive, there is nothing wrong if the matter could not be resolved. But a situation where the need does not arise for the legislature to make noise but, just to give you the impression that it can bite, you want us to start shouting and giving the impression that the legislature is at war with the executive. To me, I think, it’s not necessary because, the legislature is a different arm of government; the executive is a different arm of government but, the two must collaborate for the interest of the people of the state. Because, at the end of the day, if the two arms are at loggerhead, like we say that ‘when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers;’ if the two arms are perpetually at war with each other, of what benefit will that be to the people who elected us to serve them?

It is not as if there might not be disagreement but, this disagreement, we sit down talk about it and agree in the interest of the people of Akwa Ibom State. Again, that we always pass the state’s budgets sent by the executive does not mean that we don’t have disagreements. What you must also note, is that, the legislature also add inputs to these budgets even before it is presented on the floor of the House; our inputs is there and at that time, there could be some reconciliation before the budget is passed; that, does not in any way means that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is a rubber-stamp. Our people should be interested in the benefit they are deriving from the collaboration with the two arms of government.

Let me take you specifically to the issue of the 31 industries that the governor promised during his electioneering campaign; the governor said he was going to establish one industry per local government area of the state but that has not been done, as the mouthpiece of the people of the state, we expect to re-echo the expectation of your constituents in the regard, why have you not done that as the peoples’ Assembly?

The governor gave the impression that the government will provide the enabling environment for industries to spring up in the local governments. I think, to that extent, that was why we had to come up with the Public Private Partnership arrangement. The Bill that was passed to make sure that people take advantage of that law and come in to invest and make sure these industries are established in the state.

Recently, there have been reports of division in the state house of Assembly; that is, between Ibibio and Annang lawmakers in connection with the reported assault of the member representing Nsit Ubium state constituency, Barr. Onofiok Luke, at Ika local government area. What is the true position of things in the Assembly?

As far as I am concerned, I am not aware of any division in the House of Assembly along any ethnic line. For those who know me, you know that, I even relate more with members from the Annang divide. Most of my close friends are members from the Annang ethnic group in the House of Assembly therefore, if there were to be such a divide, as canvassed by the press, I am not sure I would be comfortable dealing with them.

I think, whatever differences that occurred must have been over magnified by the press because, members of the fifth Assembly have been known to be working together. There may be one problem here and there; and some differences but, that does not mean there is division in the House of Assembly. While trying to protect the interest of your people we may disagree and after we come together again, that is why we still have Elder Sam Ikon as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

I am also aware that there is so much talk about impeachment. It’s been there overtime at a point, we didn’t hear about it again. The news is coming up again but, I can assure you that there is no such intention because we know that Sam Ikon is doing well. We appreciate that although, all of us are equals, there is always first amongst equals and he is the leader.

What is your view on legislative autonomy?

That is a very important question, first of all, I was not a member of the Fourth Assembly; I am a member of the Fifth Assembly. The position of the Fifth Assembly is that, the House of Assembly should come under the first line charge. That is not negotiable.

Sometimes ago, one of your colleague told the press that the primary function of every lawmaker is to pass budgets, do you agree with that assertion?

The primary function of a legislator is clearly stated out in the constitution to the effect that it is to make laws for the good governance of the people. In that case, passing of budgets is merely an aspect of the law. So to that extent, he was correct to say that the primary function of lawmakers is to pass budgets because, budget is also a law. The executive cannot implement anything without the appropriation bill being passed into law; but, I will go further to say that it is not only passing budgets that the House of Assembly should do. There are other bills we also pass. The point I am making is that, the primary function of the House of Assembly is to make laws for the good governance of where they are superintending not only passing of budgets.

Do you think that members of the legislature have any justification probing corruption cases when it is believed that there are some elements of corruption amongst them?

Probing executive or anybody for that matter is part of the oversight functions of the legislature. However, in the course of carrying out the oversight functions, allegations may come up against a member or some members of a particular legislative committee, for example, investigation of the House of Representatives committee on Stock Exchange Commission, and all that. But in all these, as a lawyer, I want to believe these were mere allegations. None of the House members have been convicted of any of those allegations in court. As a lawyer, I believe that it is only the court that can convict. Until then, they are mere allegations while waiting for the court to do its job. We should be able to sight that a particular person has been convicted of corruption in the House of Reps. None, so far!

I want to take you to the issues of flood in Uyo Metropolis. The Akwa Ibom State House of Asembly had in one of its sittings, empowered its committee on Environment and Mineral Resources headed by Hon. KufreAbasi Etuk to investigate the incident. Do you think it is proper for the House to direct the Etuk-led Committee to work with state government committee sit up for the same purpose?

First of all, I want to say that I am very much aware of the flood issue. I think it’s never been that bad in Akwa Ibom State but, I think we should be able to appreciate that the government has tried to ensure that flood issue is checked in Akwa Ibom State. For instance, I don’t think we still have the type of flood we used to have along Oron Road by Urua Street, even Itam Junction I am not sure we still have such flood.

There have been interventions in some areas by government but my understanding of the issue is that a lots need to be done in other areas to ensure that Uyo is flood free.

Now, coming to your question, which one is more important? Because, I am a very proactive person; I only go out to solve problems. If a problem has arisen, my intention is to go out there and solve it in the quickest manner. So if the House of Assembly committee working in tandem with the government committee will solve the problem faster, what is wrong about that? The issue is not investigating and apportioning blames. That will come later. The issue is that, a very important incident affecting the people has developed and whatever should be done, even if, it means the executive and the legislature working together to ensure that, first and foremost, the issue is resolved, there is nothing wrong about that.

The House of Assembly gave EXXON Mobil 7days ultimatum within which to resolve the oil spill impasse in Eket Federal constituency else the company’s management would be summoned by the House, 7days have since elapsed and the issues have not been resolved by Mobil. Why haven’t the House summoned Mobil?

Yes, the issue was brought to the House under Matters of Urgent Public Importance. It was discussed and the resolution of the House was that Mobil should be given 7days to effectively handle the matter otherwise they would be invited to the House to explain what they are doing. Within the 7days, before the House resumed, there was an intervening factor which, when the governor heard it. He took it upon himself to see how he could solve that problem by meeting with the host community and Mobil. And therefore to that extent, the House now said okay! If that is the case, let us see what is coming out in that intervention by the governor.

We didn’t want to duplicate efforts, it is not as if the House is afraid of inviting Mobil to come but, like I said, all these things are aimed at solving problems that came up. As we were seeing, we knew that youths in Eket had taken to the whole streets; they had barricaded a lot of places; the governor was not in the state; he came back and heard it. I think that was the first matter that he attended to. He tried to intervene and I think some decision had been reached.

We have seen some of your constituency projects but, it appears only few state lawmakers are doing what you have done for your people, even when they have the capacity to empower their constituents. What could you say might be responsible to that?

Let me make this clear, the issue of constituency projects is completely different from empowerment by the representative because, the constituency project is taken care of in the budgets and it is not handled by the legislator. What the legislator does is to identify a project that is a priority to his constituents and the government will come in to handle it.

Coming to empowerment, I think it is in our own interests to give back to the society what you have been able to get from the society. Because it is your constituents that amongst other persons who came up to aspire for that position, elected you to represent them, so whatever comes out from occupying that office, you should be able to give back to your constituency. It may not be too much, that is what we have been trying to do; we appreciate the fact that government cannot do it alone no matter what government does there is still the need for you to intervene; for you to see how you could further help your people.

In the course of my electioneering campaign, I did say that; “I will to the best of my ability and to the best the resource that will come to me, empower my people.” At times, like the first empowerment programme that I undertook in June 2012; I am still owing the bank; we did not sit down and say ‘we don’t have money, so we are not going to do empowerment of our people’; our prayer is that, by the time we leave office, we must have been able to pay off the loan that we took.

There may be certain persons who may not feel that they should come back and say thank you to the people who elected them into their offices but, let me specifically refer to the Fifth Assembly and say that even our own people, that is, the people of Akwa Ibom have agreed that the Fifth Assembly members have done a lot more than any other Assembly since Akwa Ibom State was created in terms of empowering the people.

We may be wrong in this assertion that Hon. Ime Okon is one state lawmaker that does not live a flamboyant life-style or indulge in showmanship, even as a former Local Government Council Chairman. What is responsible to this?

Thank you very much for this fear comments. Naturally, I am a very humble person and I was lucky to have a very humble background; I have a father who was a teacher and evangelist in the Church of Christ and because of that, at a very early stage, we were made to imbibe the spirit of humility and that is what has affected me.

I do not think that whatever position you occupy today is final because, the fellow who is serving you even as a Personal Assistant (PA) or even as a messenger, may be above you tomorrow. So that if you don’t treat him well, by the time he supersedes you, he will also pay you in the same coin. It is just that I look at whatever office I hold as merely an opportunity. For instance, being in the House of Assembly is merely to serve my people. And, I have to the best of my ability done that. You must first of all, know that you are a servant. That is very important and if you are a servant you must be accessible to your people and that explains where I live because, it is possible for my people to walk in here and share whatever problem they have with me.

If it is possible that I can help, I will tell you that I can help; if I cannot, I tell you, this is the true position. So to that extent, the humble beginning I had from the tutelage of my father has made me to live the way I am today.

But by the time, you know I have been a civil servant, I served one Dr. Charles Uko; he was then the Commissioner for Lands and Housing during the Military regime. He is now a Professor. He was the longest serving commissioner after the creation of Akwa Ibom State. I served him as the Personal Assistant and his attitude has also affected me positively. He was and is still a very humble person. May be, I should share this with you. When he served as the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, that was when we were building the state secretariat, a lot of construction works were going on in the state and I felt, I was lucky to serve as the Personal Assistant. And what I expected then was that he should empower me very seriously. But this is somebody who told me that I don’t need money but, that what I need is to go to school and be a professional. He was the person that influenced me to be a lawyer today so, I have been very lucky to work with persons who are naturally humble irrespective of the status they found themselves in life.

2015 is around the corner, do you still want to serve your people in the same capacity?

My people sent me to the House of Assembly; I am still available for service; I am not yet tired so, if they feel that I could serve them again, I will not hesitate.

The issue of zoning has been very contentious in the state and it also applicable to local government and state constituencies elections, what is your take?

Let me talk about zoning in Ibiono Ibom local government area because, as I said; zoning in Ibiono Ibom takes you to consideration of issue of second term. We have the antecedent, my predecessor served for two-terms. In spite of the zoning arrangement that we had so, whoever is occupying a position provided he is doing well, can go for two-terms and after that, no more. But my problem with zoning is that, it must be done in a way that it does not engender mediocrity.

What advice do you have for your colleagues and people who are holding positions authorities in the state vis a viz your meekness?

My advice is that whatever position you hold is a position of trust and you should, first of all, look at yourself as a servant who is serving the people. Like the governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu used to say that he is the Chief Servant of Niger State; that tomorrow maybe another person’s turn. Now that God has given you the opportunity to serve your people; you should be able to impact on the lives of the people positively. Such that by the time you leave, you should be able to look back and say; “this is what I was able to do during my time.” As I said, I used to say that ‘what I promised Ibiono Ibom people is that during my tenure in the House of Assembly, there will be peace in Ibiono Ibom local government’. Ask anybody and he/she will tell you that there is peace in Ibiono Ibom because we always intervene especially, when matters want to get to the head. So if you have opportunity to serve your people, please! Don’t joke with it because you are not the only fellow in your area, it is just an opportunity given to you by God.