By Chioma Onuegbu

IKOT OBIO NKO—The new year started on a good note for the people of Asutan Ekpe clan, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, as the lawmaker representing Ibesikpo Asutan constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Eyakeno Etukudo, bequeathed a 1,500-sitting capacity hall to the clan.

Mr. Eyakeno Etukudo.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by lawmakers in the state, including the Speaker, Mr. Sam Ikon; Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Etubom David Jackson; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard-bearer in the constituency for the 2015 elections, Mr. Aniekan Uko; royal fathers, community leaders and villagers.

A youth leader, Mr. Mbosowo Asuquo, told Niger Delta Voice that the people, especially the youths, appreciate the lawmaker for demonstrating that government can work through the various people- oriented constituency projects he had provided to better the living style of the people.

He said: “This Unity Hall is about the sixth major project he has brought to our people. He had sunk bore-holes in villages like Mbikpong Ikot Edim, a modern health facility in Afaha Atai and lots more.

“We are happy with him. He is down to earth, and we see him as someone who understands that governance is about serving and giving to the people.

“As we speak, he has given about 75 indigenes of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area permanent jobs, while over 30 are in his monthly payroll.

“He is a man that should be recommended for higher office. It is on record that he is the best state lawmaker Ibesikpo Asutan has ever produced in this democratic dispensation. So we are proud of him.”

Responding on behalf of other traditional council members, the clan head of Asutan Ekpe, His Highness Etebom Bassey Udo Ekanem, commended the lawmaker, Etukudo, for the kind gesture and prayed for God’s blessing, open doors and protection upon his life.

He said: “The people are happy with your effective representation since you assumed office in 2011, particularly your laudable efforts in attracting development projects to our communities will not be forgotten in a hurry.”

Vice President of the Asutan Ekpe Unity Forum, Dr. Sebastian Ibanga, said: “The Unity Hall from the lawmaker is a gift we and our generation yet unborn will always live to remember.

“This hall is important to us because it has wiped away the clan’s tears over getting a place that will ease the stress of meeting and other events in the area, where people have to converge.”