The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has directed its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to present to the House a bill to amend the existing law concerning the creation of omitted clans and villages within three months.

The speaker, Engr. Ignatius Edet, who gave the directive during the House's sitting on Thursday, described the committee's assignment as a very serious one because of the need to amend the law to enable the creation of omitted clans and villages.

The directive followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by Mr Asuquo Odiong who observed that the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had not presented its report to the House on the issue more than a year after they were given the assignment.

In his reaction, the chairman of the committee, Mr Uno Dim Uno, said they were still working hard on the issue and would soon present their report. Members who spoke on the issue called for the creation of omitted clans and villages to correct the imbalance in many local govemment areas.

Those who spoke, namely Obong Paul Owo, Barr Usen Akpabio, Mr Anietie Etuk, Obong Asuquo Darby Udo, Dr Ekaette Ebong Okon and Barr Ekong Sampson, also urged the speaker to give the committee a specific time frame to turn in its report.