Eket People Call Out FG Dodginess Over East-West Road Project

The people of Eket in Akwa Ibom state have risen in total condemnation over the shabby handling of the Eket section of the East-West road, describing it as an open cheat on the people of the area.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Pastor Usang Usang, the Eket people through their apex socio-cultural organization, Ekid People’s Union, rejected the alleged fraudulent conversion of the Eket axis of the road to a simple carriage way.

“Eket people totally reject the palliative rehabilitation of Eket-Oron road within Eket Township which Gitto Construction Company has been struggling to re-surface at a snail speed for the last two years”.

The letter endorsed by Professor Asindi Asindi, the national president of Ekid People’s Union, stated that the Eket people cannot accept the replacement of the dualization of the road with a single road in the Eket axis.

The people maintained that Eket, which produces 50% of the oil revenue in the country, could be so shabbily treated in infrastructural development programmes of the federal government.

“Our people continue to remain peaceful but Eket people must not be taken for granted in perpetuity. Note that Eket youths had initially protested by blocking the weird rehabilitative road work, but were advised to withdraw for the sake of peace”.

The Ekid People’s Union recounted that; “in a memo dated November 26, 2014, the director of infrastructure, Ministry of Niger delta affairs had conveyed the intention of government to do a bypass from Ikot Usoekong village where the East-West road had ceased to progress into Eket”.

They maintained that the so-called by-pass appears to be an open cheat since the memo did not specify the direction of the by-pass.

The Ekid People’s Union wanted the federal government to without delay, re-commence the immediate “appropriate and undiluted construction of Eket segment of the designed East-West road”, maintaining that the road provided a classic example of how the federal government has been unfair to the people of Eket.

PDP STATE EXCO COMMENDS GOV UDOM FOR GIANT STRIDES

…Endorses Paul Ekpo for second term

The leadership and members of The Akwa Ibom state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party have expressed delight with the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, praising him for the lofty achievements he has recorded in the development of Akwa Ibom State since he came to power barely 8 months ago.

In a meeting of the state Executive Committee on March 1, 2016 at the state secretariat in Uyo, the party stressed that they were particularly satisfied with his unwavering commitment to the delivery of quality governance in the face of court cases and calumnious propaganda sponsored by political opponents whose wish had been to destabilize the state. They praised his sterling performance as seen in the several road construction, intervention and town urbanization projects recorded in such a short time, pledging to support his government for a period of 8 years.

They also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the state party chairman Obong Paul Ekpo for his effective leadership of the party, which has resulted in resounding success in all elections held in the state. As a show of appreciation to the party leader, the EXCO also endorsed him for a second term in office.

In view of approaching rerun elections in four federal constituencies in the state, the Party leadership seized the moment to charge supporters to carry on with the tradition of massive support for party candidates, while also congratulating elected members who are performing excellently in various elected offices.

GOVERNOR UDOM'S AIDE FELICITATES URUAN PARAMOUNT RULER ELECT

 The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Research and Documentation, Mr Emmanuel Nicholas has felicitated with the Paramount Ruler Elect of Uruan, His Royal Majesty Edidem Atakpo, Nicholas Eyo Ukpong, on his elevation.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Mr Nicholas lauded the virtues of integrity, hardwork, honesty, forthrightness and fear of God, which he said has set  Edidem Ukpong, who is also the clan head of central Uruan, and the village head of  Nung Oku Uruan apart. While thanking the state Governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for endorsing the emergence of the new Paramount Ruler of Uruan, Mr Nicholas expressed confidence that, Edidem Ukpong will bring his wealth of experience to bear in improving the socio-cultural heritage of Uruan Inyang Atakpo and that his reign will usher in an era of peace, prosperity and development for the Uruan people.
 The Governors aide prayed God Almighty to bestow on the new Paramount Ruler the wisdom to lead his people and enjoined all sons and daughters of Uruan to extend their unalloyed loyalty and support to the new king of Uruan so that he will succeed.
Mr Nicholas also charged the good people of Uruan at home and in diaspora to continue to support the Udom emmanuel led administration in the state assuring them that, Uruan will experience its best period under the present administration.

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AKSG Have Never Touched LG Funds – Comm. For Education

The Akwa Ibom State government has never fiddled with moneys meant for Local Government Councils - not in the present administration and certainly not in the immediate past administration. This is the assertion of the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Education, Mr. Aniekan Akpan.

In a media hangout with select members of the Online Press, the Commissioner insisted that the administrations of both the former Governor and the present are not responsible for the failure of some Local Governments to fulfill their financial responsibilities. He stressed that, especially in Akwa Ibom, the Joint State and Local Government Account System cannot be manipulated to deprive any beneficiary of their due. He affirmed emphatically;

“…I must say openly and clearly, having been an elected chairman of a local government in Akwa Ibom; that the past administration and the present have never tampered with local government funds in Akwa Ibom State. And I can say that with authority. None of our governors has ever tampered with local government funds.

I know the Governor we have now; Mr. Udom Emmanuel has no interest in the joint account.”

The Commissioner, who himself had been a two time member of the State House of Assembly and is a past local government chairman of Ukanafun LGA, was reacting to a question posted on Facebook by a member of the over 400,000-follower strong audience who joined the social media convo. 

The State Joint Local Government Account System was created by Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution; established for effective management of revenue accruing to the local government councils from the Federation account.  And in many states, there have been bitter complaints of misuse of the Joint account by the state governments. But about Governor Udom Emmanuel, of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Akpan says;

“He knows how to manage the state, he has the capacity. That’s why even when people are complaining of nonpayment of salaries and all that in other place, the governor here knows how to structure the finances. In spite of dwindling resources, he knows how to get the state going, and not with local government funds. 

Explaining further into how the local government funds are administered in the State, He added;

“The joint account committee system in Akwa Ibom is so structured that payment of staff salary is taken as first line charge; after that, those of primary school teachers. What is left is what the local governments manage. 

It is structured in such a way that the funds that come are pulled together so that staff of local government could be paid; the teachers paid too. Otherwise, some local governments may not be able to manage those funds. 

It is after paying these staff and teachers that some local government councils may be left with nothing. If it weren’t like this, you would probably have been hearing ‘So So Local Government are owing teachers for 8 months; others owing staff 12 months’.

It is not that the State is tampering with their funds; rather, it is an agreement that you must pay your staff first and you must pay teachers; which are your responsibilities.”

By Uduak Umo

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL FROM ACAIC, UK

A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY DEACON UDOM GABRIEL EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR AKWA IBOM STATE OF NIGERIA.

The Chairman,board of trustees, National and international executive officers and the entire members of The international Coaliation of Akwa Ibom citizens Uk (ICAIC) send a congratulatory message to His excellency on affirmation as the governor of our dear state by the Supreme Court.

ICAIC UK,is a group of professionals that have come together with a unified goal of supporting and elevating every citizen of Akwa Ibom state with a positive mindset of progress to benefit our own state.
We in the diaspora , pledge to support your leadership and will endeavour to partner with your tenure in building positive impact in our state.
We pray the Almighty to lead you in His divine grace and knowledge .
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

Signed:
Barr. Benjamin Antia (Chairman)
Barr. Etin Ikpedighe(Secretary)
Princess Peace Essien(PRO)
Engr. Ini Ekpenyong  (Financial Secretary )
Arch. Samuel Eduep(PRO 2)
Mr Samuel Inyang (PA to Chairman)

A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO GOV UDOM EMMANUEL BY MRS MEFLYN ANWANA, SA TO THE GOV ON NEW MEDIA