By Edet Okpo
The recent flag-off and launch of multiple infrastructure across the three federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson, cannot surprise commentators and keen followers of the senator’s trajectory of impactful representation in the red Chamber of the National Assembly. In every way, Senator Sampson keeps proving that he went to the Senate with a purpose, driven by conscience, patriotism, capacity and the people in my mind.
The latest projects flagged-off by the Senator are sited at Immanuel Hospital, Eket, and General Hospital, Ikot Abasi. In Eket, the Lawmaker also commissioned an ICT/CBT Centre at St Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, and electricity reactivation project in Okon Eket.
It was a modest reminder that Senator Sampson,
Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, while launching the projects, used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment towards addressing the healthcare needs of constituents, through the provision of critical infrastructure. He disclosed that similar facility was in the works at the General Hospital, Iquita, Oron. This facility, he said, will include accommodation and medical wards to accommodate rising needs.
Of course, Senator Ekong Sampson has in more ways than one proven himself to be a dependable partner to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. He acknowledged that his interventions and initiatives were deliberately targeted at complementing the efforts already made by the ARISE Agenda in sustainable healthcare delivery. These are not the only interventions the lawmaker has undertaken. His package of empowerment for constituents is multifaceted and complementary. According to him, there are other empowerment programmes underway with priority on medical outreaches, Health Carẹ facilities, education, infrastructure and empowerment, to better the lives of constituents.
The fact remains that Senator Ekong Sampson, who is also the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, has not failed in any aspect of his truine mandate Of lawmaking, oversight and representation from the very day he arrived at the National Assembly.
Whether in the provision Of quality classroom blocks, ICT and Computer Based Test ( CBT) Centers, infrastructure and massive training for media workers and entrepreneurs,
across the three federal Constituencies’ in Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, the lawmaker has been a cynosure and envy of other senators.
Determined to address the perennial Infrastructural deficit in Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Constituency, Senator Ekong Sampson is busy constructing and Commissioning roads, Classroom blocks and electricity Projects executed just within two years in Office.
Solar-powered Street light and poles are seen in various villages across the 12 Local Government Areas Of Akwa Ibom South (Eket (Senatorial District.
Indigent Students are enjoying different levels Of Scholarship in various tertiary institutions across the Country While graduates are being employed in Strategic federal government MDAs, courtesy of Senator Ekong Sampson.
Senator Sampson went nostalgic when he recounted his childhood years in Ikot Abasi, reminiscing about how he used to play around the hospital premises and set traps to catch games in the bushes, and expressed delight that he has returned as a Senator to give back to the area. He paid tribute to his father who used to work in the hospital and was nicknamed ‘Perm Sec’.
The recent fla-off
and launching of facilities was but an icing on the state.
The ceremonies which witnessed joy and excitement among cheering constituents, were graced by notable stakeholders and indigenes who spoke highly of Senator Ekong Sampson’s humane disposition and effective representation in the National Assembly. The Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. Ime Williamson commended Senator Sampson for giving Akwa Ibom South what he described as ‘focused, visionary and result- oriented representation representation’. The Council helmsman assured Sampson, whom he referred to as a ‘homeboy’, of the continuous support of Ikot Abasi beyond 2027. On his part, the Clan Head of Ikpa Ibekwe, His Highness, Etebom Akpan Inyang, prayed for, and poured royal blessings on Senator Sampson, describing the lawmaker as the pride Of Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier in the day, Senator Ekong Sampson had made a brief stopover at Okon Clan in Eket Local Government Area, where he officially Commissioned and handed over a brand-new 500KVA transformer he donated to the People Of Okon, which had since been installed and put to use. According to the project’s Technical Consultant, Hon. Ebong Akpan, the transformer, which comes with 800 amps feeder pillars, 120mm uprisers, and 150mm NV cables, has put an end to the years of blackout experienced by several communities in the area, including Ikot Akpan Ndem, Ikot Inyang, Ikot Ataku, parts of Ikot Abia, and Ikot Nsidibe.
The people have been appreciative. Senator Ekong Sampson has received several high profile Chieftaincy awards and social recognitions in view Of his passion for Community development.
Okon Eket Clan Council Of Chiefs will on October 10, 2025, roll out drums to celebrate Senator Ekong Sampson and confer On hin the Chieftaincy title Of Otuekong Okon Clan
A renowned Bristish Author and Philosopher, Douglas Adams must have had Senator Ekong Sampson in mind when hẹ postulated that, ” to give real Service, one must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, that is integrity, humility and sincerity”. In our clime, during electioneering, sọme Politicians arẹ often seen to be extraordinary humble and kind to People.
Sometimes, Wherever they see People gather, they will stop their motorcades, come down, begin to be unnecessarily familiar and even shakes hands with those they see as commoners after they are being voted into Office.
The governed are also used to a sudden change once they get what the want. Senator Ekong Sampson has intentionally refused to belong to this class Of self- centred and crafty Politicians. When Senator Ekong Sampson says a thing, hẹ does it. Today, hẹ has worked assiduosly to keep as many Campaign promises as hẹ can, even sometimes delivering beyond the expectation Of his Constituents.
Edet Okpo is the Chairman, Association Of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals.
