THE Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a resolution extending the tenure of members of the local council caretaker transition committees for another six months.

The move followed the adoption of the recommendations of the chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Nse Ntuen saddled with the task of reviewing the first six-month stewardship of the transition committees which lapsed yesterday.

Recall that following the expiration of the tenure of council chairmen in last June, the legislators, through the amendment of the Local Government Administration Act, approved the appointment of transition chairmen for the 31 councils state beginning from July 12 last year for a period of six months.

After deliberation on the report, the House leader, Udo Kerien (PDP) moved for its adoption and was seconded by Asuquo Archibong (APC).

The House thereafter urged Governor Udom Emmanuel to give vent to the extension effective from yesterday.

The resolution also urged the governor to cause the State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to conduct elections into councils within six months.

The Assembly also charged the state’s chief executive to sack any of the council helmsmen that is found wanting.

The Speaker, Onofiok Luke, while applauding the members for “painstakingly looking into the issue of review of the local government transition committees in the state”, directed the House Clerk, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to transmit the resolution to the governor for action.

“My advice to caretaker committee chairmen that will have a second chance is that the interest of the people matters. They should be able to leave a legacy behind. They should also liaise with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property at the local government level,” Luke counselled.