Christopher Tom, Uyo
Akwa Ibom Government Recruitmes 100 Safety into State Civil Serv
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has directed the immediate recruitment of 100 safety officers into the State Civil Service to help implement safety measures in the different government facilities.
The Governor gave the directive at the inauguration of the boards of Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP) and the Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency held at the State Executive Chambers, Government House, Uyo.
He noted that there was need to show safety consciousness in all meetings as well as safety briefings to avert avoidable occurrences.
Governor Eno stressed that the AKICORP as well as Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency Boards so inaugurated were not political boards but professional boards and members were selected based on competence.
The State Chief Executive noted that he was determined to ensuring that AKICORP goes back to its original vision of its establishment, stressing that any State government’s investments not captured by AKICORP would be presumed to be non-existent.
He maintained that the industrial park will be made functional and urged members of the AKICORP board to hit the ground running and get investors across the globe to the State especially given the State’s peaceful, and business- friendly atmosphere.
Governor Eno noted that the State has assets in different parts of the globe and directed the Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency to take inventory of the State assets and work out modalities to ensure proper management and maintenance.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of State’s assets in Lagos and Abuja and assured that measures have been put in place to change the narrative.
The Governor further directed the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien to conduct a full staff audit of the State public servants including those in Abuja and Lagos and to ensure deployment where necessary.
He disclosed that to stimulate all sectors of the State towards full actualisation of the ARISE Agenda, boards will be desolved in few weeks and reinaugurated accordingly.
In further demonstration of his detribalised disposition, he said the recruitment of safety officers as well as any other category of staff should be all inclusive and not tilted towards any particular tribe or ethnic group.
According to him, the State is one, and any form of recruitment must have a fair representation of the State and most especially on grounds of competence.
He congratulated board members and expressed the hope that they will bring their individual and diverse experiences to bare in the execution of their assignments.
The members of AKICORP Board include; Obong Ide Owodiong-Idemeko (Chairman), Pastor Imoabasi Jacob (Managing Director), Barr. Ben Udowa (Executive Director) Pastor Godwin Ukwat (Executive Director) and Mr. Idorenyen Enang, Non Executive Director (OPS).
Other members include; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioners for finance, Investment, Lands, Economic Development, and Agriculture.
The Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency has Elder Udo Sam Umoatan (Chairma) Prof. Comfort Etok, Mr. Joshua Ndon Ikpe, Permanent Secretary Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretary/Accountant General, State Director of Fire Service, and Barr. Victor Bob as Secretary/Legal Adviser.
Christopher Tom, Uyo
A’Ibom Govt assured Federal Government actualization of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Akwa Ibom State Government has assured the Federal Government of maximum cooperation towards the actualization of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Governor Eno who made the declaration during a stakeholders’ engagement ceremony on the alignment of Sections 3B and 4 of the project in Uyo, reaffirmed his appreciation for the administration of President Tinubu and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for drawing development to the State.
The stakeholders’ engagement is sequel to the approval of Mr. President for the commencement of the construction of the road simultaneously from all the affected states which make up the trade and agricultural corridors of Nigeria in keeping with the Renewed Hope economic recovery plans.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700km road that will link Lagos State with Cross River State, through the shoreline states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Ogun and Ondo.
The Governor assured that the state government would liaise with groups, communities and stakeholders towards the smooth implementation of the Akwa Ibom portion of the coastal highway.
“Let me assure you that we will cooperate with you at anytime and in whichever way you want so that we can actualize the vision of Mr. President on this costal road.
“Whatever you think we need to do to show support or talk to our young people, whether it is security, just call our attention and we will be willing to give that support. It is a commitment that I make consciously, and as you begin, we will work with you,” he assured.
The Governor also used the occasion to call on the Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to revisit the 13 km road project, with bridge to connect Mbo to Hope King Cemetery in Calabar which was awarded to CCECC by the Buhari administration but has since been abandoned
On the Calabar-Itu highway, the Governor said that government had completed the evaluation of properties on the project’s right of way, and released funds for payment of compensation.
He called on the Federal Government to expedite action to complete the road, considering its importance to the people of the two South-South states of Cross River and Akwa Ibom, and indeed the entire nation.
On the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road, the Governor said, “we are conducting the valuation now, and we will also be able to work and pay the compensation so that we can open up that corridor. All these things are things we are willing to do with the Federal Government to ensure that we bring the dividends of democracy to our people. We are in a hurry to work with the Senate President to ensure that we finish whatever we have to do here,” Governor Eno added.
President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio CON, on his part, acknowledged the benefits of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway for Akwa Ibom State and thanked the President for initiating the project as well as the Minister of Works for taking steps to actualize it.
The Senate President however called on residents of the state to collaborate with the Ministry of Works to fast track the construction of the highway.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi noted that out of the total span of 700km, 27Km of the Section 3b and 80Km of Section 4, totalling 107Km, fall within Akwa Ibom State boundaries, being the 4th longest portion of the entire coastal highway within a single state.
He commended Governor Eno for the peaceful and beautiful ambience in the State, particularly for his efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with his predecessors.
He noted that for the Calabar – Itu Highway, the contractors have been given notice to mobilise to site, warning that by the end of next week, 14 days would have elapsed, and if Julius Berger and CCECC failed to mobilise to site, the contracts would be terminated.
Christopher Tom, Uyo
Stakeholders and youths of Amayam clan in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area commended Governor Umo Bassey Eno despite the challenge still honour and maintain zoning across the state in the forthcoming local government elections.
This position was reached at an inclusive meeting of stakeholders, village youths and their leaders within the clan, held in Ikot Udoe. The meeting witnessed massive turnout of indigenes across the clan.
They commended the governor’s unapologetic stance for justice and fairness which will eventually lead to a peaceful, free and credible local government elections in a few weeks time.
Speaking at the event, a former Supervisory Councillor for Health, Special Duties and Youth Development, Prince Samuel Ukut, praised God for coming through for Amayam people by guiding Governor Umo Eno to make such profound decision within a record time.
“Zoning has been an issue within the last three to four weeks. We’ve been agitating, consulting and pleading with the powers that be in the local government area to allow Amayam breathe and have their right of rotation after Urban has taken nine years on the seat as Chairman.
“Although it is rightly the turn of Amayam to contest for the office, there were attempts to alter that untill the governor stepped in at the right time to save us”.
Ukut also pointed out that “Governor Umo Eno is a leader after God’s heart, dispensing govenrance with equity, justice and fairness. We were not in doubt that he would be fair to all considering his determination to ensure that projects are sited in all the 31 Local Government Areas. Akwa Ibom State is blessed to have such a God fearing leader at this time.”
Also speaking, Obonganwan Lucy Monday Udo, a renowned woman leader from Ibong Ikot Akan Village, noted that Governor Eno operates on God’s wisdom in decision making.
” We are aware that if zoning was not upheld there would have been problems. So, as a peaceful leader, the governor averted all the problems by making a wise and timely decision on zoning.
” Now, there will be no problems between Urban and Amayam clans on whom to support for the Office of Executive Chairman of Ikot Ekpene,” she enthused.
She used the opportunity to thank youths, women and all stakeholders of Amayam clan for their resolve, resilience and deep sense of purpose displayed in insisting that power must come to Amayam.
“I appeal to Amayam youths, women and men to come together and endorse a credible aspirant that will excel in the race and stand the test of time”.
In his view, Hon. Owoikana Isaac Ekanem, immediate Deputy Chief Whip of the Seventh Assembly of Ikot Ekpene Legislative Council, stated that ” it’s no longer news that it is the turn of Amayam to produce the executive chairman as we thought it wise to gather like this to make our position known.
“Unfortunately, some persons tried to scuttle that age-long, time tested power rotation arrangement between the two clans. Whereas, Amayam people have been peaceful and supportive, we insist it’s our turn.
“Incidentally, the governor has taken a stand on the issue of zoning. He has shown direction, everyone should adhere unless they want to fight the governor”.
Highlight of the meeting was a resolution to identify a credible grassroots politician among the youths of Amayam, who has performed well in past assignments, to be endorsed for the chairmanship position.
Christopher Tom, Uyo
Political marginalization on the people of Ikpe Ward 1 in Ini Local Government Area may explode blood bath
The people of Ikpe Ward 1 in Ini Local Government Area have drawn the attention of the State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, to what they termed “political marginalization.” They state that, despite being the headquarters of the Local Government, the ward has not produced any elective position since the creation of the LG thirty-three years ago.
Stakeholders, youths, men, and women from the ward registered their concerns, at the PDP State Secretariat. They called on the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the State Chairman of PDP, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, to use their good offices to uphold the tenet of zoning to ensure transparency and equity, especially as the Local Government election approaches, to avert looming bloodshed in the area.
During a peaceful demonstration at the party’s Secretariat in Atan Offot, Uyo, with various placards displaying different inscriptions, the people asserted that Ikpe Ward 1 has been politically marginalized and oppressed since the creation of Ini Local Government Area and deserves a chance to produce the next elected Chairman in 2024.
A letter presented to the PDP State Chairman detailed that “Ikpe Ward 1 is the biggest ward in Ini Local Government Area in terms of population, with seventeen large certified villages, eighteen political units, and it is where the Local Government headquarters is situated.”
The letter decried that the ward has been extremely excluded from all elective positions due to a lack of outstanding political leaders.
The letter further stated that “Ikpe Ward 1 is the next ward in Zone A to produce the next elected Chairman in the Local Government.”
The demonstrators criticized that their display of grievances was due to some political stakeholders and elites in the Local Government attempting to disrupt the already agreed position of the stakeholders and elites for Ikpe Ward 1 to produce the next Chairman as the local government election draws near, due to their personal aggrandizement.
The people made an urgent plea to the State Governor and PDP State Chairman to ensure that the ward does not continue to suffer political cheating, relegation, and exclusion.
They called on them to swiftly address the injustice to encourage peaceful coexistence amongst various wards in the zone.
The people alleged that the current activities of those parading themselves in other wards in Zone A have already occupied the positions of elected Chairmen and House of Assembly seats in different dispensations.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman had a closed-door meeting with the people of the ward.
The letter was signed by Elder Edet Ndarake, representing Odoro Ikpe Zone Elders; Obong Gregory Etuk, representing Ibam Zone; Aniekan Ndem for Ndot Zone; Sir Michael Ebio for Mbiabet Zone Elders; William Thomas representing Odoro Ikpe youths; and Setima Inyang representing Ibam Zone youths.
Other signatories included Mr. Okon Akpan from Ndot Zone youths, Prince Victor Edward from Mbiabet youths, Obongawan Flora Ogbonnaya representing Ikpe Ward 1 women, Rt. Hon. Marcus Akpan, Mr. Nse Udak, Chief Uwem Mboribo, Comr. Uwemedimo Udofia, Hon. Author John Moses, Pastor Boniface Eyo, Innocent Boniface, Eyibio Solomon, and Mrs. Martina Ben.
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