The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Constituency projects: Senator fires back at Edo PDP chair

    Senate Deputy Whip Francis Alimikhena has urged Edo State chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Dan Orbih and the party’s senatorial candidate for Edo North, Abubakar Momoh, to wake up from “developmental blindness”.

    Alimikhena, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, said  he was at a loss why Orbih and Momoh have been “in mental coma for the past three years.”

    He said the situation of the duo required an “urgent attention for them to be delivered from developmental blindness.”

    Alimikhena stated this in reaction to the allegation of non-performance leveled against him by Orbih and Momoh.

    The PDP chieftains claimed that Alimikhena failed to execute any meaningful constituency projects in Edo North in the last three years.

    Personal Assistant to Senator Alimikhena, Benjamin Atu, quoted the Edo lawmaker to have said  it was obvious that “Orbih and Momoh have not recovered from the shock of my achievements in just three years in office as Edo North Senator.”

    Alimikhena reminded the PDP chairman that he was “elected to serve and not to enrich himself as Orbih and Momoh have been doing.”

    The Senator assured that he will continue to “do the bidding of Edo North people in order to deepen the state of coma that Engineer Momoh and Dan Orbih have voluntarily found themselves.”

    He said that it was not surprising that the PDP chieftains were the only persons that have no eyes to see his “massive developmental projects across Edo North.”

    He appealed to Momoh to stop parading the list of dead people as those who he offered employment in his sixteen years in office without one standing project to his credit.

    Alimikhena said: “I cannot stand to debate with Engineer Momoh. Momoh should go and face my projects and debate with my visible achievement and not me. I am concern about how to bring more development to Edo North and not to debate with those who have under developed our Afemai people. I have exceeded the expectations of PDP and my achievements have given them sleepless nights hence their public outcry.”

     

  • Bayelsa Assembly warns against incessant deployment of CPs

    The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris to stop further deployment of police commissioners to the state to avoid raising unnecessary tension.

    The lawmakers say the incessant deployment of police commissioners was worrisome and necessitated its emergency sitting last Saturday.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Col. Bernard Kenebai (rtd), who spoke in Yenagoa described the incessant change of police commissioners as sinister and an attempt to enthrone instability in the state.

    The lawmaker who also condemned plans to scrap the state’s special security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo said it was an open invitation to anarchy.

    According to him, Operation Doo-Akpo is an important security component of the state’s security architecture and disbanding it will give room for more criminal elements to perpetrate their dastardly act.

    While sympathising with the family of 16-year-old Miss Seiyefa Fred, who was murdered in cold blood by some hoodlums last week, Kenebai said her death was very unfortunate.

    He said: “For me it is a personal loss because she is one of my constituents and I feel so pained that her life could be cut short. We condole with the bereaved family. Her death and the developing security issues in the state necessitated the Assembly to invoke order 11 and called for emergency sitting.

    “A motion for urgent public importance was moved and we discussed at length some of the prevailing security issues and at the end we resolved to call on His Excellency who is the governor of the state and chief security officer to intervene over the incessant change of police commissioners in the state.

    “We also called on the Inspector General of Police to disregard calls for the disbandment of Operation Doo-Akpo and called on our representatives on the floor of the National Assembly to interrogate further the plans and finally urged Bayelsans to resist the impunity”.

    Kenebai stressed that as an assembly, they made useful interventions to complement the efforts of the executive by making laws that has helped to maintain the peace and order in the state.

  • UPU holds day in Onisiwo Island

    Members of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Onisiwo chapter, Onisiwo Island, Lagos have restated their commitment to peace in the community.

    The President of the chapter, Chief Larry Osaweren, spoke at the Urhobo Day celebration.

    He said that the union was committed to the promotion of the unique culture of Urhobo people.

    He noted that the community is living in peace because all the ethnic nationalities, including the Urhobo people are toeing the path of love, unity, and tolerance which is attracting positive development into the Island.

    Osaweren lamented the near absence of government on the Island, which, according to him, has made life unbearable for residents.

    He said: “We are mobilsing our members to join the union and invest in the people’s warfare because we belief the challenges facing the Island is surmountable.”

    Also speaking at the event, the Patron of chapter, Chief Raymond Gold, appealed to the Lagos State House of Assembly to delineate the Island to Apapa Local Government.

    “We are under Amuwo-Odofin and is far from the lsland and that explains why development is far from the Island. We want to join Apapa Local Government Area where we can access in ten minutes,” he said.

     

  • UNIBEN to honour Benin monarch

    THE University of Benin will confer an honorary degree of Doctor of Law on the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, during its 44th convocation and 48th Founder Day ceremonies scheduled to hold between November 19 and 24.

    It listed other personalities to be honoured to be Bishop Margaret Idahosa, who would be honored with Doctorate Degree for her contribution to Education and Human Capital Development, while Prof. Augustine Orhue, a Professor of Medicine, would be conferred with Professor Emeritus.

    Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Farraday Oruhmwense disclosed this yesterday at a pre-convocation press briefing.

    Prof. Orhumwense said 134 graduands bagged First Class degree out of a total of 11, 832 graduands to be conferred with various degrees and Diplomas.

    A further break-down, according to Prof. Orhumwense, showed that 2,122 graduands passed with Second Class Upper Degrees, 4,864 with Second Class Lower Degrees, 1,156 with Third Class while one graduand got ordinary pass Degree.

    Prof. Orhumwense said 240 graduands would be awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PHDs) while 2,207 would be awarded Masters Degrees.

    Orhumwense stated that his administration reduced activities of cultism to the minimum while ensuring stable academic calendar.

    He said several projects executed in the university would be inaugurated during the convocation ceremony.

     

  • Delta local govt commences tetanus vaccination

    The Warri South Local Government Council has commenced the Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Vaccination in the area with a view to eliminating the scourge.

    The five-day programme was flagged off yesterday by Mrs Juliet Tidi, wife of the council Chairman, Mr Michael Tidi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inoculation is for female between the age bracket of 15 and 49, and was flagged off at the council’s Secretariat.

    Tidi urged pregnant women to patronise qualified healthcare workers for proper health monitoring and safe delivery.

    She explained that tetanus occurred as a result of unhygienic method of delivery and umbilical cord care.

    “Pregnant women should as soon as they are pregnant go to the nearest health facility in the Local Government Area for proper health monitoring and safe delivery by trained health workers.

    “Immunisation is key to the prevention of the disease, therefore every girl and woman of child bearing age must ensure they complete the five doses of Tetanus Diphtheria vaccine at appropriate interval,” Tidi said.

    She urged the girls and women to avail themselves of the opportunity and get vaccinated, noting that the exercise will go a long way to improving their health status.

    Mrs Beatrice Onwo, the Health Educator, Warri South Local Government Council, said the exercise would be conducted at fix and temporary fix posts across the area.

    She said the temporary fixed post included schools, churches, mosques and markets, while the fixed posts were all the health facilities in the area.

    “Before now, mothers use cotton wool and other things for their baby cord; there is now a new gel. There will be no maternal neonatal death again with this introduction,” she said.

    Mrs Abigail Edokpaiye, mother of three and a beneficiary, thanked the government for the gesture, noting that it will help in eliminating the scourge.

  • REC cautions youths in Rivers against violence in 2019 polls

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers, Mr Obo Effenga, yesterday warned youths in the state against violence in the 2019 general elections.

    Effenga gave the warning in an interview with told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

    He said that youths must avoid being used by politicians to foment trouble during the elections, no matter how highly placed such a person may be.

    “Our young men must be ready to support peaceful elections; they must shun any attempt by anybody to use them for violence at the polls,’’ Effanga said.

    The REC said that the only credible way of electing political leadership was through the ballot, adding, “we must shun violence totally.

    “Election credibility comes through the ballot; it does not come through the bullet. We all owe our society a duty to ensure peace during the elections.

    He called on politicians to play by the rules by avoiding anything capable of triggering violence during the poll, adding that no credible electoral result could emerge through violence.

    The INEC official said that political parties and their supporters owed the society a crucial duty of ensuring a smooth and violence-free election.

  • 2019: Delta Council boss sues for peaceful electioneering

    The Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Michael Tidi, has urged the electorate to maintain peace and decorum in the forthcoming electioneering for the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking with newsmen in Warri on Thursday, Tidi said there was no need for violence.

    He called for cooperation and friendship during electioneering.

    “From Nov. 18, I believe the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will lift ban on campaigns and so many persons will be involved in the electioneering process.

    “Therefore, we should go about politicking with decorum; after all we are brothers and sisters at the end of the day,’’ Tidi said.

    The council boss also advised youths in his domain to eschew violence and other criminal acts that could lead to breakdown of law and order throughout the yuletide and beyond.

    He said that the thought of get-rich quick syndrome should be out of their minds and admonished them on legitimate means of livelihood.

    Tidi, who assumed duty in January, said that he would continue to provide the dividends of democracy to the people and urged them to remit their levies promptly.

    “In the yuletide period and beyond, we should eschew violence and any act that will lead to break down of law and order in Warri South.

    “The get-rich quick syndrome should be deleted from our minds so that at the end of the day, everybody will be happy, ‘’ he said.

    Tidi said his administration had introduced the use of scratch cards to facilitate the collection of levies and also ensure transparency and accountability in the processes.

    “We are blocking loopholes. Before now some money ended up in the hands of individuals and tax agents.

    “With the scratch cards, people now pay their levies to our designated banks, bring the card to the council for proper capturing.

    “This method has helped us in policy formulation, implementation and project execution because priority is given to areas where revenue is paid in the course of our responsibility as a government,’’ he said.

  • Better tomorrow for Bayelsa’s first class graduates

    Despite graduating with first class degrees in their various tertiary institutions, graduates from Bayelsa State remained jobless. They hopelessly roamed the streets in search of non-existing employments. Many of them gave up. They abandoned their first class certificates and took up menial jobs to survive.

    But recently, Bayelsa scholars heaved a sigh of relief.  Governor Seriake Dickson remembered them. Dickson offered them automatic employments into the state civil service. They were 31 in number.

    Their engagements were made possible by the reforms, which Dickson garnered political will to implement in the public sector. The reforms weeded out ghost workers, underage employments and other sharp practices, which padded the state’s payroll with outrageous monthly wage bill.

    Following the reforms, the payroll was cleansed and trapped funds were freed in the public sector. Dickson lifted an existing embargo on employment. He declared 1000 vacancies in the civil service.

    The governor asked the Civil Service Commission to handle the recruitment process. Immediately the vacancies were advertised, torrents of applications flooded the commission. The commission said it received 23,000 applications for 1000 job vacancies declared by the state government.

    The Chairman of the commission in Yenagoa, the state capital, Dr. Peter Singabele, vowed to ensure “a transparent recruitment process”. The chairman in conjunction with the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson launched the state civil service website.

    Singabele said the web portal was established to ensure transparency and give all applicants equal opportunities. He said the creation of the website became imperative after about 23,000 applicants surged to the office to pick forms for the 1000 job openings.

    “Over 23,000 unemployed youths invaded the office of the commission and almost broke down the building. But with the website, they don’t need to come here. They only need to send their applications online”, he said.

    He said the launching of the website would restore the confidence of the people and stop the speculations that the government was out to deceive them adding that it would help all applicants to check and monitor the recruitment process.

    Giving the breakdown of the job applications contained in the commission’s technical report, the Commissioner III, Chief Kune Igoni-Claudius, said out of 23,000 applicants, 12,335 were cleared by the commission. He said those selected would participate in the job evaluation test and interviews adding that the timetable for the events would be uploaded in the website.

    Iworiso-Markson, further commended the commission’s initiative saying the government made it clear that the recruitment process would not be business as usual. He said the process must be transparent and competitive to evolve an efficient civil service system noting that it must be so transparent that persons who failed to make it would have no reason to complain.

    He said: “There will be no hidden employment because the process will be made open and transparent. We want to give everybody equal opportunities and a sense of belonging”.

    In fact, the commission was surprised to receive about 31 applications from first class graduates. Singabele and his team reportedly briefed the governor, who was excited that such number of scholars existed in the state. Dickson swiftly ordered that such category of workers should be given automatic employments.

    But Dickson took the step further. He took a decision to sign an executive order to give automatic employment to all first class graduates in the state every year. He said that the executive order  was aimed at ensuring that the automatic employment policy was sustained annually even after the end of his administration.

    In fact, the governor held an induction ceremony for the first set of 31 first class graduates at the Government House. It was indeed a reward for excellence. All the beneficiaries turned up in their best outfits to partake in the programme.

    Most of them were visiting the Government House and the new state-of-the-art Governor’s Office located in Yenagoa for the first time. They felt honoured as they sat to witness the signing of the executive order. The governor is their hero.

    At the end of the signing, Dickson had handshakes with each of them. They all beamed with smiles with dimples dotting their physiological countenances.

    The governor explained that the order would mandate the Civil Service Commission to present a list of duly verified applicants to the office of the governor every year for automatic employment. Dickson also directed the Civil Service Commission to immediately issue letters of employment to verified first class graduates in the state.

    Even persons, who did not have the privilege to apply were included in the employment offer. The governor further disclosed plans to sign a second order aimed at verifying the origin of Bayelsans seeking employment into the civil service with the paramount rulers and Community Development Chairmen in the various communities.

    He explained that the paramount rulers and the community leaders would be mandated to sign letters of identification of applicants to curb impersonation. The said further that the government was able to offer automatic employment to the first class graduates because of the meticulous implementation of the public service reforms initiated by his administration.

    He added that the reforms were yielding results as shown by the fact that the state Government now saves N500 million per month in salaries. He added that the abhorrent practice where grades and steps were procured in the state  had become a thing of the past.

    Most of the beneficiaries praised the governor for identifying with excellence and scholarship. They said the gesture further confirmed Dickson’s love for education and promised to serve the state with sincerity of purpose.

     

  • Day Ijaw, Itsekiri unite for Izoukumor at Ogbe-Ijoh

    The sights of Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders mingling freely, exchanging pleasantries and meal at Ogbe-Ijoh town, headquarters of Warri Southwest local government area of Delta state, last Saturday, invoked feelings of joy and melancholy.

    Prominent Ijaw leaders Harrison Gbenekama (JP), Hon Sam Ako, Chiefs Samson Oyinmi, Hitler Koredia, Government Korebor, Godwin Okori, Captain Joseph Zico, Apopo Okori among others, joined Chief Favour Izoukumor to welcome Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Mr. Taye Tuoyo and other Itsekiris to Ogbe-Ijoh.

    Although the event was a party to honour Izoukumor on his birthday, the significance of the august gathering was lost on one, especially the leaders, most of who were actively involved in the dispute over the location of the council headquarters.

    It would be recalled that the two age-long neighbours fought a fratricidal war over the an apple of discord – location of the local government council – instigated by the military junta that was led by then head of state, Brig Gen Sanni Abacha. Ogbe-Ijoh shot into national limelight as the Ijaws fought against relocation of the secretariat from the Ijaw town, which was initially announced as its headquarters, to Ogidigben, Ugborodo (Escravos).

    But on that beautiful Saturday, the air of conviviality was palpable as the Ijaws hugged their Itsekiri neighbours and vigorously cheered the performance by the visiting cultural troupe, who joined them to honour arguably one of the most illustrious and philanthropic sons of Ogbe-Ijoh. It was significant that the chairman of the ceremony was Chief Ereyitomi, an Itsekiri from Ugborodo.

    Roll call of guests included: Mr. Taye Tuoyo, Itsekiri-born chairman of Warri SW LGA, his deputy, Comrade Arthur Akpodubakaye (an Ijaw), Mr. Emomotimi Guwor, PDP candidate for House of Assembly seat of Warri SW, and Chief Queen Ajemitolu, among others.

    In his speech, Comrade Bibo Ogbonna, President, Ogbe-Ijoh Youth Council, organisers of the ceremony, described Izoukumor as an exemplary leader, who impacted positively on youths across, not only the clan, but also the entire Ijaw land and beyond.

    “We have had leaders in Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, but there has never been one as compassionate and worthy of emulation as Chief Izoukumor. That is why we decided to give him a pleasant surprise as part of activities marking his birthday celebration,” Ogbonna explained.

    Speaking in the same vein, Comrade Jackson Timiyan, who anchored the event, remarked that Izoukumor had given several dozens of scholarships to indigent students, even beyond first-degree levels. Timiyan clarified that Izoukumor, who is the Commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nationality on the board of DESOPADEC, did not become a philanthropist when he joined politics.

    “Even before he became prominent, while he was still in the village as a fisherman, he had started sponsoring students and pupils in various schools across the state and beyond. Dozens of law and other graduates owe their educational attainments to this great man,” Timiyan noted.

    Speaking in the same vein, Izoukumor’s former colleague at DESOPADEC and PDP flag-bearer for the Warri Federal Constituency House of Representative, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, remarked that the eulogies, calibre of dignitaries and rainbow of groups and nationalities present, were indication of the altruistic nature and benevolence of the celebrant.

    This is a clear testament that he has done something wonderful in the past for his community and humanity. This places a responsibility on all human that has the means to be charitable and be of good disposition to all, irrespective of tribe, tongue or creed.

    “I am happy to be associated with him and I promise to work in my personal capacity, and if elected, as a representative of all in this area, for the development of our people,” Ereyitomi assured.

    A religious cleric and educationist, Dr. O’Neal Ijeoma, who delivered a lecture on the need for youths to stay away from cult and other violent activities, blamed poor value for prevailing negative youth cultures in the society. In a brief and lucid presentation, the speaker revealed his involvement in the vice, disclosing that not only was he involved in cult activities during his days but that he also went ahead to found his own cult group.

    Pastor Ijeoma admonished parents to instil good and proper values on their children and wards. “The problem with the society is that of value; if you have poor value, education cannot change you. If you have poor value you elevate instant gratification over long-term gain and that is why you see people filling their belly today and selling their future.

    He further explained that education is not same as schooling, noting, “You can go to school and still not be educated,” he said, adding that the society must deal with scourge of ignorance which tend to mislead youths to believe that rudeness and arrogance are same as confidence.

    Later in his vote of thanks, Izoukumor expressed surprise at the avalanche of praise and huge turnout of guests. “I am forced to ask myself, ‘what have I done to deserve this?’” he asked.

    While commending the youth groups from the kingdom and cross the Ijaw nation, pupils from several public and private schools in the area, for the honour, the University of Benin graduate of political science reminded them to always be of good character and to portray their communities and the Ijaw nation in good light.”

    Izoukumor commended the emerging crop of Ijaw and Itsekiri youths for putting the past challenges behind them and looking ahead to a better, united future as their forefathers lived.

    “When Ijaws and Itsekiri brothers and sisters danced together as they did today, it showed the strength in our unity and diversity. We must build on this because together we can achieve something bigger and better for our people when we unite.“

    The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant and his wife, Chief Beatrice Izoukumor, and other guests, after the presentation of books, sports and other educational materials to various schools in the area.

    There was also award to debaters from the schools, which contested on the importance of education to the society. Izoukumor also presented JAMB forms to about 50 indigent Ogbe-Ijoh students to enable them achieve their quests for higher education.  For Itsekiri women of Warri Southwest MPCS, he doled out N2million to enable members start businesses.

    The celebrant lamented the continued crisis between the people of Ogbe-Ijoh and neighbouring Aladja (Udu) communities.  Izoukumor, whose mother hailed from Udu, told our reporter during an interview after the ceremony, that he was determined to work towards an amicable resolution of the crisis.

    “I am the most pained by this crisis because we have been age-long neighbours and friends, if it weren’t so my father wouldn’t have taken a wife from Aladja and I wouldn’t have been. So, I implore all involved to make room for peace, as a peace and neighbours, we have lost too much during these clashes.”

  • A promise kept in the ‘land of promise‘

    t this point in the history and political life of Akwa Ibom State, one cannot but agree with Late General Sani Abacha when he labeled the State “Land of Promise. Akwa Ibom state since its creation has truly been a land of promise. It had the right vegetation and resources (both natural and human) to see it rival states like Lagos and Rivers, and also the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Ever since its creation in 1987 by the Babangida regime, Akwa Ibom has never had it this good, or close to fulfilling its potentials as it does under the stewardship of Governor Emmanuel. On his assumption of office on May 29 2015, and being faced with huge debt burden and contractual obligations, many were pessimistic about purposeful and impactful governance.

    He (Emmanuel Udom) truly hit the ground running, and three (3) years down the line, one can say he has lived up to most if not all his campaign promises to the good people of Akwa Ibom state.

    In a bid to buttress my point, I will avail you of an excerpt of his speech in his swearing-in on May 29 2015, and a verifiable list of achievements on ground. You will all agree with me that he has indeed lived up to his words and promises.

    In his inauguration speech, he promised to continuously develop mobilize, and empower women and the youths via planned and well-articulated welfare and capacity-building programmes.

    In a bid to achieve this,  he introduced compulsory basic education in public schools, take-over of seven(7) community secondary schools, construction and renovation of sixty-two(62) school blocks, Strategic interventions in tertiary institutions (roads, equipment, academic blocks, etc), Procurement and distribution of free text books and other educational materials, Subventions to public primary and secondary schools, Over N600 million WAEC fees for indigenes in public secondary schools annually, Upgrading of Akwa Ibom state college of Arts & Science, Nung Ukim, Ikono to College of Science and Technology.

    He further demonstrated his commitment to this by ensuring over 20,000 youths were trained in various skills. There is an ongoing construction of ten (10) Modern Sports Centres to combat youth restiveness and a two billion naira (N2bn) interest free loan for small scale entrepreneurs and traders.

    A social welfare program was initiated in which over Eight Hundred (800) Orphans and less privileged children are catered for in five (5) Government Homes. viz: Special Children’s Home, Uyo; Divine Children’s Home, Uyo; Correctional Centre, Uyo; Shelter Afrique Transit Camp, Uyo; Government Children’s Home, Ikot Ekpene.

    Some of them are presently in higher institutions.

    Under the social welfare scheme, there was a provision of Two hundred thousand naira (N200,000.00) grant each for about 500 women organizations across the 31 LGAs to enable them leverage on the public-partnership Initiative of the State Government and another provision of N50,000.00 grant each and wrappers for about 600 widows across the 31 LGAs to boost their businesses and alleviate poverty and lastly, a provision of N50,000.00 each and wrappers as well as food item for about 350 mothers with multiple births across the 31 LGAs.

    In the said speech, he promised to give all Akwa Ibom persons (both within Nigeria and the Diaspora) a proud sense of belonging-built on good governance, economic advancement and due respect for the Fundamental Human Rights of all. No doubt, his Dakkada ideological campaign strongly connects these initiatives.

    I recall he also promised to pursue the task of Rural Development and Integration with all vigour, bring the benefits and dividends of our democratic governance to every nook and cranny in the state, and provide basic amenities of life to all, and ensure Accountability and Transparency in government by fighting and tackling corruption in all facets of our Administration.

    He went further by pledging to provide trade, commerce and tourism between Akwa Ibom and the rest of Nigeria, and in fact, the rest of the world, and also to foster, develop, and maintain a good working relationship with both the legislative and the Judiciary arms of Government in the state, as well as ensuring an effective Local Government Administration for grassroots development, mobilization and empowerment.

    In furtherance of delivering on his campaign promises, Governor Emmanuel Udom embarked on improvement of existing infrastructure by constructing and carried out repair works when needed on over 1700km of roads and thirty-five (35) bridges.  He also constructed the second (2nd) Airport Runway and upgraded the Airport main runway to category 2. It is noteworthy to state that these efforts made Akwa Ibom State the only state in Nigeria to independently own and maintain an airport.

    Under his ongoing administration, he saw to the completion of the State Secretariat Annex.

    Emmanuel Udom promised immediate diversification of the economy of the state, and this went about with so much commitment. He initiated a massive industrialization agenda for the state which brought about the establishment of Syringe Manufacturing Factory (Largest in Africa), Pencil Factory & Toothpick factory, Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Factory, and resuscitation of Peacock Paint Industry.

    The Flour Mills and Coconut Refinery, Ibom Deep Seaport, Ibom Industrial Park/ Jetty, Plastic Manufacturing Factory and Fertilizer Blending Factory are ongoing projects in the economic diversification agenda of the Governor.

    There is also a lot of governmental effort in the agricultural sector of the State’s economy by the Emmanuel Udom-led administration. This is not only part of the economic diversification agenda, but also to serve as youth empowerment.

    To achieve this, the under-listed projects and policies were implemented or executed, and in some instance; will be implemented.

    11,000 hectares coconut plantation; 1,600 hectares cassava plantation in 15 LGAs (FADAMA), Registration of 4,920 rice farmers in the state. 450 youths trained on cocoa maintenance, subsidized fertilizers, oil palm & cocoa seedlings, Akwa Prime Hatchery – 10,000 day old chicks weekly, Free Improved Corn seedlings, Construction of Vegetable Green houses, Cultivation of 100hectares of rice farm, Cultivation of about 2,100 hectares of cassava in partnership with World Bank under FADAMA III. Additional Financing Project, using farmers’ co-operatives, ongoing construction of 33No. Cassava Micro-Processing Mills, Training of 300 youths under the Graduate Unemployment Youth Scheme (GUYS. Each will be empowered with one million naira to embark on any agricultural enterprise. Over150 youths employed and over 85 businesses have been created or reinforced through the Akwa Ibom Employment and Enterprise Scheme (AKEES). Construction of 1No. Tractor Hiring Enterprise (AEHE) Centre, with 4 No. tractors, and 14 No. implements delivered.

    Premium importance is placed on manpower development and workers’ welfare as the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities to retired workers of ten (10) years was effected.

    There is also regular and prompt payment of salaries and entitlement to public servants.

    It is widely acknowledged that listing all programs and projects in a bid to highlight the fulfillment of all these promises is quite overwhelming, I will avail you a testament by the leading opposition party in the State, APC to the fact that Governor Emmanuel Udom has fulfilled his promises to the people of Akwa Ibom state.

    After the Governor was presented an award of Excellence by the Secretary of the Government of the Federation on behalf of NTA, the state chapter of APC admitted the fact that the Governor had delivered on his campaign promises, they only queried why Mr. Udom Emmanuel, a PDP governor could be given an award by an agency of the APC-led federal government.

    The APC scribe was jittery that with the accolades, the profile of the Governor is on a steady growth, making him more popular among his people, while acknowledging the award was a non-partisan and well-intentioned gesture from the Board and Management of NTA to encourage our government officials in the work they are doing.

    One will readily agree with me that this is a case of a promise kept in the land of promise.

    In any normal clime, Emmanuel Udom is home and dry in his reelection bid in 2019.

    • Ime Atim wrote in from Bayelsa