By Adie Ikor
On the 28th of February, 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget into law, following its passage by the National Assembly. Although rumours suggest that some minor corrections are still being made to the appropriation act before its official hardcopy release, the signed copy is already in circulation, and constituents can access the documents to see what projects their representatives have facilitated.
In Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Rep Peter Akpanke has reaffirmed the trust his constituents placed in him by voting overwhelmingly for him in the 2023 general elections, despite being a member of the opposition. Initially, there were concerns that the constituency might have missed out on potential benefits by not re-electing the ranking member, who could have become a principal officer or chaired a key committee. However, Akpanke’s performance has dismissed these doubts and showing that his constituents made the right choice.
Akpanke’s almost two years in the green chambers has been nothing short of amazing as he has raised the bar so high that the people of the OBO constituency are now relishing what he will do as a ranking member should he present himself for reelection in 2027. Typically, new and opposition lawmakers face huge hurdles in the National Assembly that require creativity, a commitment to driving change, and astute political acumen to overcome. Despite being relatively new to state politics, Akpanke has demonstrated exceptional preparedness and a keen understanding of the complex National Assembly dynamics.
The lawmaker who is representing one of the largest federal constituencies in the state with three local governments went out of his way to ensure that he increased the budgetary allocation for his constituency by 150%. In 2025, upon the appeal of National Assembly leadership, the President, Bola Tinubu increased the budget allocation for constituency projects for lawmakers at his level to N1 billion. However, some lawmakers who are lucky to head good committees are also allocated some funds for constituency projects by the agencies they’ve oversight on.
But Akpanke despite not holding a committee chairmanship or principal officer position, remarkably increased his budget by an additional N1.5 billion. This achievement is particularly impressive considering his relatively modest role as Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Abuja Municipal Council. His constituency budget allocation surpasses all Cross River lawmaker, with the sole exception of Sen. Jarigbe Agom, who represents Cross River North senatorial district and boasts approximately ten years of experience in the National Assembly.
Some of the seventeen (17) projects facilitated by Akpanke, cutting across the three local governments that make up the constituency and different sectors include
the construction of Utugwang Main Market Road in Obudu local government, costing N300,000,000. This project, upon completion would boost economic activities and facilitate trade between Obudu and some parts of Ogoja local government.
Similarly, the construction of Atulum Road in Bekwarra local government, also costing N300,000,000, will improve connectivity, access and increase economic activities around the place. Other projects include the construction of Okambi-Igwo Ring Roads in Obudu, costing N500,000,000, rehabilitation of Ikom-Wula-Obudu Road Phase II, costing N100,000,000, and construction of Kafa Bridge in Bishiri, Obanliku LGA, costing N100,000,000. All these projects when completed will not only address the issue of access road but enhance robust economic activities in the areas.
Also, to improve access to electricity, Rep Akpanke has facilitated several rural electrification projects. These include the rural electrification of selected communities with solar power street lights in Obudu, Bekwarra, and Obanliku local governments, costing N200,000,000, the supply and installation of solar street lights in Begang and Ibiaragidi communities, costing N50,000,000, and the supply and installation of solar streetlights in Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, costing N40,000,000. These projects upon completion will provide reliable lighting and enhance security in these areas.
In the areas of agriculture, empowerment, and social welfare, the legislator has also facilitated several projects. These include the supply of agricultural materials to farmers in selected communities, costing N100,000,000, vocational training of unemployed youths and women, costing N20,000,000, and medical outreach for widows and vulnerable, costing N50,000,000. Also, the needs assessment, development of protocols, and capacity building for disease-free zones, costing N92,500,000, training and empowerment of youths, costing N100,000,000, and supply of agricultural equipments and farm produce, costing N150,000,000.
It should be noted that merely facilitating projects into the budget doesn’t guarantee funding or execution, or that the lawmaker would be given the money by the federal government to implement the budget. However, for projects to stand any chance of being funded, there must be appropriated and this is what Akpanke has done. To even go extra mile to ensure his constituency gets additional N1.5 billion shows his commitment to bettering the loads of his people, and certainly deserves commendation.
