The Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the state government to extend the tenure of the present local government administration in the state for a period of not more than three months after which the council will be dissolved.

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Samuel Ikon, who announced this after receiving a report submitted by the House committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs called on all the local government council chairmen who could not perform creditably during the last three years to sit up and live up to their expectations as the state House of Assembly will not hesitate to call for dissolution of any council that thrives on bickering, acrimony, and controversy before the expiration of the three months period.

The Speaker who said that the tenure elongation which covers all the 31 local government councils in the state is in accordance with the provision of section 4 sub section 3a of the law which stated that in a situation whereby election is not held before the expiration of the tenure of the local government councils, the state House of Assembly should recommend to the governor that the tenure of local government administration be extended for them to continue.

Rt. Hon Ikon urged all the operators of the local government councils to see the extension as a catalyst and a reminder to them to sit up and carry out their duties peacefully and diligently so as to contribute to the peace and stability of the state in particular and the nation in general.

The Speaker reassured them that the state government will put everything on ground to ensure that election is conducted within the three months period, maintaining that the state House of Assembly is committed to doing what is right, within the ambit of the law, and to restore sanity into the system.

The Speaker however commended the House committee for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for a job well done and urged the clerk of the House to draft a letter to that effect and send to the Executive arm of government for immediate action.

Earlier, the chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Aboh Uduyok Johnson, while presenting the report to the House disclosed that after investigation, the committee observed that some local government chairmen in the state have performed excellently well, while some have not and urged them to sit up and not betray the opportunity given to them to set their priorities right.

Other members who spoke in support of the issue included the member representing Nsit Ubium state Constituency, Hon. Onofiok Luke, member representing Itu state Constituency and the deputy leader of the House, Hon. (Mrs.) Ekaete Ebong Okon, member representing Ibiono Ibom state Constituency, Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon, among others.

Meanwhile, the House committee on Judiciary headed by Rt. Hon. Ekong Sampson will commence screening of new commissioners within the week.