RismadarVoice Reporters
January 21, 2026
The member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, KSJI, on Tuesday set the pace for the 2026 Legislative Year by sponsoring the first motion on the floor of the House, reaffirming his status as one of the most active lawmakers in the 8th Assembly.
Prince Akpabio moved a motion entitled “Waste to Wealth: Need to Partner the Private Sector to Establish a Recycling Plant in the State” on the first day of plenary sitting for the year.
The motion was seconded by member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Eric Akpan and supported by members representing Esit Eket, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, Okobo, Mbo, Uruan and Ini State Constituencies.
Moving the motion pursuant to Order III Rule 1 of the Standing Orders of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (Seventh Edition), the lawmaker drew the attention of the House to the alarming increase in commercial and domestic waste generated daily across the State.
He noted that while a portion of the waste is evacuated to landfills, a significant amount ends up in gutters, drainage channels, contributing to flooding and environmental degradation.
Prince Akpabio emphasized the importance of proper waste management in safeguarding public health and protecting the environment, adding that reliance on landfills poses serious environmental risks, including greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water contamination and the release of toxic substances to nearby communities.
The lawmaker further highlighted the economic potential of recycling, noting that Nigeria’s recycling industry is estimated to be worth over $2 billion.
He observed that the presence of scavengers in the State in search of recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, cartons and scrap metals was a clear indication of the financial value of waste, lamenting that most of these materials are transported to other states for recycling.
According to him, establishing recycling plants within Akwa Ibom State would reduce environmental, health risks, stimulate economic growth, generate revenue, create employment opportunities for residents involved in waste collection, sorting and processing.
Prince Akpabio also recalled that the establishment of recycling plants through Public-Private Partnerships is captured in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, as outlined in the Economic Consolidation and Expansion Blueprint (Growing Our Economy/Developing Our People).
After hearing the motion, the House led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong unanimously called on Akwa Ibom State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to partner the private sector in establishing waste recycling plants in the State and mandated Committee on Environment to carry out oversight on the matter.
Also at Tuesday’s plenary, Prince Ukpong Akpabio’s bill for a Law to Prohibit Forceful and Illegal Occupation of Landed Property, including Violent and Fraudulent Conduct in Relation to Land in Akwa Ibom State, passed First Reading.
The bill, co-sponsored by 10 other lawmakers, seeks to prohibit unlawful entry and forceful takeover of landed property in the State.
It provides that any person or group of persons who unlawfully enters or takes over any landed property, or engages in acts inconsistent with the property rights of a lawful title-holder, commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year, or a fine of not less than ₦1 million, or both.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for rescheduling.
