By Uduak Akai
UYO
The chairman, House of Assembly Service Commission, has expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and completion of his appointment as chairman of the commission for five years.
Mr Godwill Umoh, a lawyer, who made the appreciation during his brief handing over ceremony held at the Commission’s Conference Room, House of Assembly Complex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Tuesday, appreciated the immediate-past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for finding him and his commissioners worthy to be appointed to serve the state in that capacity.
He also appreciated Gov. Umo Eno, PhD, for his magnanimity towards them as well as the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong and the entire 8th Assembly for their cooperation throughout their tenure.
Recall that Governor Umo Eno, in a press release dated October 2, 2025, signed by the secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah, had directed the dissolution of all statutory and non-statutory boards and commissions in the state with effect from October 3, 2025.
Umoh applauded the directors, heads of department and the entire staff of the Commission for their support and cooperation which enabled them record successes, adding that since their appointment on August 21, 2020, his leadership performed creditably with no query from the government.
The outgone chairman explained that their core mandate was to appoint, promote, transfer, confirm, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control on staff within the Assembly Service in line with other guidelines and regulations which include: Assembly Service Handbook Guidelines of August 2010, scheme of service and relevant circulars from Head of Service and Department of Establishments.
He disclosed that upon assumption of duties, the Commission inherited seven departments namely: Administration and Welfare, Finance and Account, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Recruitment/Promotion, Due Process, Appeal and Petition as well Pension and Gratuity.
According to Umoh, his administration inherited 48 staff strength, held 44 business meetings which considered policy and staff matters, as well as Senior Staff Management Committee (SSMC) and Junior Staff Committee (JSC) minutes/recommendations for Assembly Service Commission, House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission.
With regards to finance, he said the commission’s audit request for funds to execute capital projects was still pending approval from government while the audit report and accounts for 2024 fiscal year presented to the Office of the Auditor-General had captured their financial performance.
He listed achievements recorded within the period under review to include: creation of Information/Protocol Department; recruitment of 130 junior staff and 50 senior staff totalling 180 new staff for both the House of Assembly Service Commission and House of Assembly; confirmation of appointment of newly employed staff; prompt payment of qualified staff; conversion of staff; award of acting appointment to staff as motivation; furnishing of the commission’s conference room; installation of car port for the commission and the appointment of acting secretary, among others.
Umoh noted that in spite of the aforementioned achievements, challenges encountered during his tenure were inadequate office space for staff, non-provision of official vehicles for commission members and non-release of capital.
He congratulated the acting secretary for taking over from him and sued for support and cooperation from everyone to enable her succeed.
In his remark, the outgone commissioner III, ObongIwaad Etienne Bob, appreciated the role of the chairman, commissioners and staff of the commission whom, he said, are the best set of people he has ever worked with in his life, and particularly applauded the chairman for successfully piloting the affairs of the Commission which has written the name of the Commission in gold.
Bob appealed to directors, heads of department and staff to support the acting secretary who has taken over the mantle of the Commission’s leadership to succeed.
The protocol officer, Mr Emmanuel Sandy, stated that the Commission was lucky to have not just lawyers but intelligent and vibrant men and a woman who has added value to the Commission, thus leaving it better than they met it.
Sandy maintained that the chairman had positioned the Commission in a very high pedestal than ever before, which is a plus to it and the staff, and congratulated the acting secretary on her elevation, urging her to borrow a leaf from her predecessor.
In her a vote of thanks, the acting secretary, Christiana Esu-Iseghe, said she was touched but since it was God’s will, the grace, wisdom and direction shall come from Him.
Esu-Iseghe thanked the outgone chairman and commissioners for all they had taught them, saying that the chairman’s goodwill availed them the opportunity to serve.
The acting secretary hinted that the chairman’s vision for the state has positively rubbed off on them, maintaining that his presence and that of his team would be greatly missed.
She wished them well in all their endeavours.
Other commissioners present at the event were Prince Ubong Idiong, commissioner I; Dr. Roberta Edem, Commissioner II; Obong Godwin Awah, commissioner IV, as well as directors, heads of department and staff of the Commission.
High point of the event was the official handing over ceremony by the outgone chairman, Umoh, to the acting secretary, Esu-Iseghe.
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