Member representing Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, is to empower his constituents across 113 units in Ini Local Government Area with N100 million.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday in Uyo, the Lawmaker said the briefing became necessary to inform the public, particularly the people of Ini, of the empowerment programme scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 17 December, 2025, at Ini Council Headquarters, Odot Ikpe.
He explained that empowerment which would also go along with a constituency briefing on that day, would mark yet another fulfilment of his promises to the people of Ini, apart from playing effective roles in law-making, representation and oversight functions which, according to him, remain the three cardinal duties of any legislator.
Giving a little hint on the nature of the intended empowerment programme, Hon. Udoide said it would cover equipment and business grants to women, supporters and Persons With Disabilities from Ini.
He said: “this empowerment will cover equipment and business grants to women and supporters. One vital aspect of this empowerment is that it is unique and unprecedented, in the sense that it will go round all the 113 units in Ini”.
According to the Lawmaker, while the N100 million earmarked for the empowerment would not address all the needs of over 10, 380 voters who cast their votes for him, and even others in the local government, he had already resolved that other constituents who might not be touched by this particular exercise would be accommodated in the next round.
The Lawmaker, who disclosed that the N100 million for the empowerment came through his savings from his entitlements, however debunked that no Lawmaker in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly received money budgeted for empowerment.
” A lot of people may not understand that there is no special funds for this that is budgeted for. You have so so amount of money, maybe monthly, weekly or even yearly for your constituency briefing. There is nothing like that. Anything you see a legislator do; as far the state is concerned, it is from his statutory entitlements”.
On the number of Bills he had sponsored in the last two years and some months, Hon. Udoide said 2 Bills, 10 Motions could be credited to his performance in the House, while also co-sponsoring over 10 Bills.
” I have sponsored 2 Bills, 10 Motions and also co-sponsored over 10 Bills. Some have been signed into law by Governor Umo Eno. In the area of oversight – of course, there is no oversight committee that has to do with mine that you will no see me. If it is two people, I will be there. In the last two years, I want to believe that Ini is visible in the House of Assembly”.
While thanking the people of Ini for the mandate, the House member promised to continue to give his people effective representation.
He also urged the people to continue to support the administration of Governor Umo Eno for more developments in the local government.
The press briefing also had in attendance, Special Assistant to the governor on Youths Matters for Ini/Ikono Federal Constituency, Hon. Charles Udofia, Director General, Eka Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation, Hon. Isaac Moses, among others.