The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has threatened to invoke its powers against commissioners invited by House Committees.

It was reported that that some members of the State Executive Council have refused to honour invitations by House committees.

The deputy speaker of the Assembly, KufreAbasi Edidem, during plenary, expressed displeasure at the attitude of the commissioners while describing it as disrespectful and unacceptable.

He recalled instances where the House following matters of public importance brought before it and a resolution sent to its Committee, mandating the Committee to interface with the relevant Commissioners, and Special Advisers in view of the matter, and they will ignore the invitation.

He lamented: “It’s rather sad to observe that a motion would be here, the resolution would be sent to a House Committee, and the Committee Chairman would send an invitation to the Commissioner in charge of the relevant Ministry, and the Commissioner refuses to honour the invitation.

“This attitude is a total deviation from the oath they took to serve Akwa Ibom people. Those are the same people we screened and cleared here, in this hallowed chamber. We were elected by our people to make laws that would protect them”

Reacting, the Speaker of the House, Elder Udeme Otong frowned at the development, threatening that henceforth the House under his watch would not hesitate to invoke its powers against any government official who undermines the legislature.

He directed Chairmen of the various Committees to report any Commissioner or Special Adviser who ignored their invitation for further action.

The speaker said: “In our standing order, if you invite a Commissioner or anybody to discuss the development and way forward, and most especially the peace of Akwa Ibom State, and he or she refuses to appear, please bring it to my notice.

“This House will invite such a person to come and explain to us the reason for his or her action, for not responding to the invitation of the committee chairman.” (The Nation)

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