The legislature is the institution of government whose main role is the making of laws for the good governance of the country. As the member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency at the green chamber of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon by the grace of God and the support of his constituents,has effectively discharged his duties,as their lawmaker in the 8th National Assembly of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
His superlative performance at the National Assembly,is as a result of his experience in the legislature, having served the people of Etinan State constituency as their lawmaker for eight years and the speaker of the 5th Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly.
Out of the 360 members of House of Representatives of the 8th National Assembly which was inaugurated on June 9,2015, the lawmaker has stand out with a voice to be heard and irresistible ideas worth supporting, in form of motions,bills and matters of urgent importance,he presented before the house.
As an effective representative of the people of Etinan Federal constituency, he initiated a vocational skill training/Enterprise development scheme for 50 youth and 50 women,which were selected across Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium federal Constituency, the three local government area that makes up the federal Constituency. The beneficiaries of the scheme were trained in soap making,fish farming, Welding, Barbing,Photography/Videography, with a cash grant of 50,000 each,as starter pack. The programme was coordinated by small and medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),2016,with focused on skills acquisition.
It is true that Education breeds confidence. To further demonstrate that the mandate the people of the federal Constituency entrusted in him is kept by in trust, Ikon decided to encourage the young children with desires to pursue their educational career. In his educational empowerment programme,financial grant/Educational support for school fees intervention were released, ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 to ease students undergoing regular courses ,while 50,000 went to students in the professional discipline across the tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom state. Five students were carefully selected across the 31 wards of the federal Constituency to a total of 155 students as beneficiaries in the first phase,this he has done for three phases,meaning 155×3 in all.
In the area of Enterprise development programme,he made provision for 50,000 cash grant for start-ups to 50 business entrepreneurs and petty traders selected from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium local government. This was according to him,was his own way of reporting back progress to the people,who voted for him to represent them at the national Assembly.
In another development, under his strategic empowerment intervention, he made donations of 10 motor bikes,10 Tricycles, 5 block molding machines,30 welding machines,10 grass/weeding Trimmer, 15 hair dryers, 30 set 6.5Kva Generator ,40 sets of sewing machine,donations of 50 set Barbing Clippers ,donation of 5 set Washing Machines, donation of 15 set Vulcanizing Machines,donation of wheel chair to the physically challenged persons,donation of Gas cooker and kitchen utensils for food vendor start ups,donation of materials for start ups in bead making,donation of materials in Hart making and other female accessories,the lawmaker made these donations to justify that the interest of his constituents are Paramount, which he swore to uphold than his personal interest.
Amidst the tense and rigorous lobbying process involved in recruitment and any other form of placement to have constituents gainfully employed, he has facilitated placements of constituents across the three local Govt Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit ubium into the following places:
Economic and financial crime commission,four person employed. Nigerian security civil defence corps,Four persons employed. The Nigerian Army,six persons employed.
The National Assembly service commission,ten persons employed.
Abuja Electricity distribution company,two persons employed.
Graduate trainee programme, 15 persons. He has also facilitated the placement of over 15 NYSC corp members to carry out the compulsory NYSC one year primary assignment into various Agencies and Ministries In The Federal Capital Territory.
The lawmaker gave out cash grant of 20,000 to constituents under special consideration during his 2016 empowerment programme, to ease issues of youth restiveness and also help them start small with any endeavor.
Upon resuming work in 2017, Rt. Hon. Ikon embarked on another round of STRATEGIC EMPOWERMENT,were he made a donation of 5 set of Block Molding Machines with fully powered diesel engine ,which were distributed across the federal constituency.
He also donated 15 set of Cassava Grinding Machines with a fully powered Motor Machine , made a donation of 3 in 1 palm oil Mill (3ton),with Housing Unit (3pcs),made Provision of 18 units of solar street lighting system in Mbioto II Community of Etinan LGA, 10units of solar street lighting system at IKOT UBO village Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, and 16 units of solar lights in Obotim Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State,as well as sponsoring Free Medical outreach for his constituents,like the one he did in 2018 across the 31 wards of Etinan federal Constituency.
One of the duties of a legislator is lawmaking. The lawmaker as a representative of the people, has carried out diligently his duty as a legislator in lawmaking, by sponsoring motions,bills, that have direct positive impact to the people.He has a total of 21 bills to credit ,of which he is the lead sponsor of 19 bills,while co- sponsor two bills.
Some of the motions and bills that has moved,sponsored or co- sponsor are :
Motion on Urgent need for the rehabilitation of Ndiya road linking the mkpat enin express road to Port Harcourt Road. Motion on a Call for urgent construction of the Nsit Ubium-Eket highway with a collapsed bridge connecting the rich oil Communities by (Mbiekene and Nnung Obong) of Akwa Ibom State to the East West road.
A Bill for an act to make Provision for the Management of Mental Health in Nigeria, and for related matters, which seeks to institute corrective mental homes across the 36 states of the federation.
A Bill for an Act to Establish The Institute of Healthcare Management of Nigeria and for other Matters connected therewith,which seeks to address the issue of mismanagement in Government owned hospitals across Nigeria.
FCT Metropolitan Management Council (establishment) Bill, which seeks to institute a body that will uphold the aesthetic values and management of FCT been a signature to Nigeria.
FCT Area Council Service Commission ( establishment) Bill, which seeks to regulate council staff management and due diligence.
Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Amendment) Bill. Deep Offshore and Island Basing Production sharing Contract Act(Amendment) Bill.
Society of Nigeria Broadcasting Practitioners council Bill.
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill for establishment of an Arbitration Tribunal to enforce standards and mitigate in communal environmental issues.
Chartered institute of Administrative Science of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill.
Institute of safety professionals of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill.
Nigeria Technical Aid Corps Act (Amendment) Bill.
Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (Establishment) Bill.
New partnership for Africa’s Development Commission Bill which seeks to alleviate poverty and bring Nigeria close to global standards.
Federal Capital Territory, kidnapping and hostage taking (Prohibition) Bill.
There is no gainsaying that Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon, has been able to put up a sterling performance in service that has equitably distributed the benefits and dividends of democracy to his immediate constituency and to the people of Nigeria at large by way of proposing bills and motions that have helped in making life worth living.
A representative who has the overall interest of the people, will always think about their welfare,as is evidence in the activities of Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon. Even after not getting a return ticket to the National Assembly,from his party, he has not relent efforts in good works for his constituents. He has presently influenced the Construction of skills acquisition centre in Asang,Nsit Ibom Local government. Construction of Maternity clinic in Ikot Isong, Etinan local government. Supply of science equipments to technical College, Mbioto 2 in Etinan local government. Donation of Basic science equipments to 22 schools in Nsit Ubium,Nsit Ibom and Etinan local government. He has so far donated 42 computer systems, ICT solar powered centre to Technical College, Mbioto 2 from NCC.
In December 2018,he distributed 20 motorbikes, 10 Keke and 2 Mini buses in his strategic empowerment of his constituents.
The representation of Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon is indeed an effective one. In the course of his 12 years legislative mandate,53 cars (15 brand new) has been donated to constituents.
