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Tag: Akwa Ibom State

  • ‘I will be governor of Akwa Ibom people everywhere’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, has assured the state indigenes of inclusive and open government if elected into office as governor on March 2, 2019.

    Obong Ekere gave the assurance when the Board of Trustees, Executives and members of the Akwa Ibom Community Association in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, met to endorse him as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    The event which took place on Sunday February 10, 2019 at the Akwa Ibom House in Abuja, attracted thousands of the state indigenes from the 19 Northern State and Abuja.

    Obong Ekere told the ecstatic gathering that he had mapped out a sustainable development plan that would involve Akwa Ibom citizens from every part of the world.

    He assured that his government blueprint would capture the very essence of participatory economic growth, which includes a N20 billion fund for strategic enterprise development.

    Ekere who insisted that it was foolhardy to rely on outsiders to develop the state, noted that when experienced indigenes are mobilized, adequately empowered and creatively involved, development would not only come faster, but will be more sustainable.

    The Akwa Ibom APC flag bearer urged the people of the state to support the APC because it had the credibility and the experience to deliver the state from under performance, clueless governance and crass ineptitude.

    He said, “We are poised to give our people a government that would be responsive, responsible and all inclusive. Our people will be given the opportunity to explore their entrepreneurship skills for job creation and economic empowerment of our people.

    “I thank you for this show of love and support for the APC and promise that we shall live up to the expectations of our people.

    “I want to register my sincere gratitude for the sacrifices you have made so far and enjoin you to come to Akwa Ibom State and mobilize the people for a government that would take our state to the center of politics in Nigeria.

    “As a state, we will gain so much with aligning with the power at the center. We cannot benefit from playing opposition in a country like Nigeria today.”

    President of the Association, Comrade Tom Etim Okon, in his presentation, extolled the qualities of Ekere and pledged his support for his candidature.

    Okon described Ekere as a man who has the requisite experience, and capacity to govern the state.

    He recalled that as deputy governor, and lately as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ekere performed to the admiration of all Akwa Ibom people and beyond.

    Okon further assured the APC governorship flag bearer of the support of his members drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja.

    Read Also: Mass defection hits Akwa Ibom PDP

    He noted that the members of the association would not only mobilize for the APC candidate, but will be in the state during the election to cast their votes for him.

    The highlight of the meeting was the motion for the adoption of Obong Nsima Ekere as the choice of all the people of Akwa Ibom State in all the 19 Northern States and Abuja, which was moved by the President of Akwa Ibom Community Association, Abuja Comrade Tommy Etim Okon and seconded by Lady Carolyne Ndaeyo.

    The motion was followed by a unanimous affirmative voice vote.

    In attendance at the event were, Obong Nsima Ekere, APC governorship candidate; Senator Godswill Akpabio – former governor of Akwa Ibom State and coordinator of Campaigns; Senator John Akpan Udoedehe – former FCT Minister and Deputy coordinator of Campaigns; Senator Ita Enang – SSA to President(National Assembly- Senate) and Director General of Campaigns; Lady Ime Okon – SSA to the President, Infrastructure; Engr Ben Ukpong – National Population Commissioner; Chief Fidelis Etim – Federal Civil Service Commissioner and  Hon Eseme Eyiboh – Chairman, Cross River Basin Development Authority and Spokesperson of APC Campaign Council, Akwa Ibom State.

  • NDLEA nabs 20 drug suspects, recovers PVCs

    The Akwa Ibom state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 120 suspects for alleged possession of hard drugs.

    They were also caught with Permanent Voters’ Card.

    The agency said the arrests were made within a period of five months when it embarked on pre-elections raid operations in the state.

    According to a release signed by the State Commander, Mohammed Sokoto and made available to our correspondent in Uyo, some of the suspects were arrested with 51kg of cannabis, 250 grammes of heroin and 17 grammes of cocaine, 500 grammes of tramadol diazepam and polypro.

    He said another suspect; Prince Bassey who was also arrested with 244 PVCs has been handed over to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for further investigation.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests 339 suspected drug lords

    “The NDLEA, Akwa Ibom State Command embarked on pre-elections raid operations between September 2018 and January 2019. Within the period, 120 suspects have been arrested with 51kg of cannabis, 259 grammes of heroin and 17 grammes of cocaine, 500 grammes of tramadol diazepam and polypro.

    “A suspect named Prince Okon Bassey was arrested on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Mbo local government area with 244 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) bearing different identities (the suspect was transferred to INEC for further investigation);

    “While one Joy Monday Adams (Miss), a notorious hard drugs dealer in the state was arrested with 239 grammes of heroin and has been charged to court and is currently remanded in person custody for trial this week.

    “A total monetary exhibit of N301, 000 was recovered as proceeds from drug sales,” the statement read.

  • UTME: JAMB suspends CBT centres

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ), has suspended the University of Benin ICT Computer Based Test (CBT) centre and eight others from partaking in this year’s unified tertiary matriculation examination registration.

    The board stated that the centres were suspended for breaching the code governing the 2019 registration exercise.

    JAMB disclosed these in its weekly news bulletin obtained by The Nation on Monday in Abuja.

    JAMB’s Spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, also said the board was monitoring the activities of 10 more centres in Lagos and Plateau states, noting that appropriate action would be taken against them once investigation is concluded.

    The suspended centres include Mardakem Company Ltd., Methodist Boys High School, College Road, beside Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa-Ibom state; Bintels Global Services LTD. (Centre for Computer Education), Fr. Joseph Memorial High Sch. Aguleri, Anambra State; Noble & Shuaib ICT Ltd, Girls Secondary School, Alor, Anambra State; and Global ICT Connect Ltd, Km 5, Gboko Rd, Opp College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi.

    Others are: DA Civic Centre, 79 Airport Road by Benoni Junction, Benin city, Edo State; University Of Benin International ICT Centre, Iyayi Computer Building, Benin City, Edo State; Medes ICT Centre, Govt. Technical College, Idepe, Okitipupa, Ondo State; Divine Success All CBT Centre, Km1, Along IseyinIbadan Express Way Iseyin, Oyo State; and Riyom ICT Centre, former Riyom Local Govt Secretariat, Riyom, Plateau State.

    According to him, the board, during a meeting with CBT operators in Lagos, had spelt out the cost for each service for the UTME, from the cost of obtaining the e-pins as reduced by the Federal Government to the cost of the reading texts and charges for registering candidates.

    He explained that before commencing the 2019 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration, the guidelines on the exercise was deliberated and laid out for all CBT operators to adhere to strictly.

    The JAMB spokesperson said: “Earlier, the Board reiterated the directive of the Federal Government for the 2019 e-pins to be sold at N3, 500 excluding the cost of the reading text, to ensure absolute compliance. The meeting had also resolved that the cost of registration should not exceed N700.

    “Candidates were also to be guided properly on the processes, if for any reasons such assistance is required, without collecting any dime from them.
    Unfortunately, findings from the Board’s monitoring exercise revealed that some centres were charging higher than the stipulated figure directed by the Federal Government and equally agreed on at the Lagos meeting for other charges.

    Read Also: JAMB registers over 300,000 candidates in one week

    “The Board finds this very disappointing and has therefore suspended such centres caught in this unholy act from the 2019 exercise.

    “The Board is monitoring closely and about 10 centres are under investigation in Lagos and Plateau. Management would meet on Monday 28th January 2019 to take appropriate action on these centres.

    “The Board will continue to monitor the on-going exercise, to ensure that Nigerians are not misled by unpatriotic operators. JAMB monitoring teams are spread all over the nation and whoever is caught, would be punished in accordance with the precedence being laid now.

    “All centre operators and selling outlets are advised to adhere to the Federal Government’s price of e-pins, cost of registration and not to sell any of the documents meant to be issued to candidates free.

    “As a regulator, the Board would continue to protect the candidates to ensure that they are not misled, cheated or frustrated in their quest to acquire tertiary education.”

  • N254m alleged cars bribe: Sen. Bassey knows fate February 20

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court has fixed February 20 for ruling on whether the court has jurisdiction to try a suit involving alleged N254 million bribe filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a serving Senator Albert Bassey (Akwa-Ibom North East).

    Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo fixed the date after counsels in the matter have made their submissions to the court.

    Senator Bassey was to be arraigned by the EFCC before the court for allegedly receiving bribe of 12 cars valued at N254million from Olajide Omokore while serving as the Akwa-Ibom Commissioner for Finance.

    He was to be arraigned alongside the oil marketer, Omokore, on a 14- count charge bordering on official corruption.

    Their counsels, Solomon Umoh (SAN) and Olatunde Adejuyigbe (SAN) representing Senator Bassey and Omokore respectively, had earlier filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    At resumed proceedings on Wednesday, the two counsels moved their applications, contending that the court had no power to hear the substantive case.

    Bassey’s counsel, Umoh argued that there was nothing before the court to prove that the alleged crime against his client was committed outside Akwa-Ibom or in Lagos State.

    He said: “There is nothing in the proof of evidence that suggested that any aspect of the alleged crime against the first defendant was committed outside Akwa-Ibom State and in Lagos State.

    “Happily, the prosecution has narrowed everything down that it was cars that was delivered to the first defendant by the second defendant. So we want to ask where were the cars delivered to him so we can know what Lagos has to do with Akwa-Ibom State.

    “But we have provided the answers in our argument, the cars were delivered in Akwa-Ibom State.

    “If he (Bassey) received the cars in Akwa-Ibom State, how come they are coming to try him in Lagos State.

    “The prosecution has not shown how the first defendant came to Lagos to receive vehicles. They have not shown it anywhere in the proof of evidence,” he contended.

    Umoh argued in addition that the name of his client, Bassey, was not mentioned in the petition written to the EFCC.

    He therefore urged the court to grant his application.

    Similarly, Omokore’s counsel, Adejuyigbe, also argued that the contending issue was not insufficiency of evidence but whether they were in the right court.

    He argued that in determining the issue of jurisdiction, the court was not bound by the place stated in the charge.

    He said, “The count against the second defendant relates to receiving gratification or giving bribe and the section under which those counts were charged did not state name of purchase, place of purchase, mode of payment so we cannot be asking the court to rewrite the law.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Sadisu Abubakar, argued that the EFCC has the right to try the case before the court.

    Abubakar argued that the applicants tied the issue of jurisdiction to the issue of insufficiency of evidence which he noted was an abuse of the court processes.

    Justice Taiwo has however adjourned the matter till February 20 for ruling on the issue of jurisdiction raised by the defence counsels.

    In the charge before the court, the anti-graft agency had alleged that Bassey received the bribes while serving as the Akwa-Ibom Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Akwa-Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

    The EFCC claimed that on May 10, 2010, Bassey allegedly corruptly received a BMW X5 BP worth N50m from Omokore and in December 2012, he received another Infinity QX 56 BP worth N45m from him.

    On November 2013, the serving senator was alleged to have received a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 BP valued at N40m and in March 2014, he was also alleged to have received a Range Rover, also valued at N40m from the businessman as well as in September 2014, another Toyota Hiace High Roof car valued at N27m.

    Others vehicles received according to the EFCC are Toyota Hiace High Roof car valued at N16m and six units of Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N36m.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the car gifts were given to Bassey by Omokore in exchange for contracts from the Akwa-Ibom State Government.

  • Emmanuel, Ekere absent at BBC governorship debate

    Akwa Ibom State governor Emmanuel Udom and its All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Obong Nsima Ekere on Thursday failed to participate in a live audience participation platform organised by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

    Tagged, ‘Governorship debate with BBC News Pidgin’, the exercise took place at the permanent site of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

    Only four out of the six governorship candidates invited to the programme attended.

    There were Iboro Otu of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP); Ekong Eyo of the Young Democratic Party (YDP); Ezekiel Nya Etok and Nature Udoh of Young People Party (YPP).

    Emmanuel, in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said he could not attend the debate due to an official engagement outside the state.

    It was also learnt Ekere was out of the state as well.

    Giving his general assessment of the programmee, the Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka, explained that 10 states were selected for the governorship debate expressing the hope the candidates in other states chosen will equally honour the invitation.

    “This is the first governorship debate organised by the BBC News Pidgin.

    “We chose to come to Akwa Ibom because of the interesting development in politics in the state and similar debate will hold in Port Harcourt on January 21st.

    Read Also: BBC commissions wall mural at Unilag

    “It is the audience that selects the candidate and asks us to invite them for the debate of this nature.

    “We are audience lead. A lot of things we do we listen to the audience and try to save them with what they requested of us.

    “We hope that the candidates that have been invited at Rivers, will honour the invitation of their people.

    “It is an opportunity created to deepens democracy in Nigeria, create opportunity for candidates to listen, interact and meet with the people, electorate and explain to them what you want to do,” he explained.

    On the absences of the two other candidates from the debate, Soyinka said: “I am totally indifferent. What we have done as a BBC is to create a platform for the candidates to interact with the electorates.

    “The candidates were chosen on the invitation of their people. Other candidate who otherwise engaged could not make it have given their reasons.

    “Ultimately, the judgment call is not for me is for the electorate and good people of Akwa Ibom whom this gentlemen are proposing to lead.”

    On his impression about the debate, he said: “I am impressed with what happen today. I am happy with the turnout of Akwa Ibom people from different segment of the society, I am happy with the engagement from the audience and online people.

    “I feel fulfilled that the purpose of this exercise has been achieved and the purpose is to create that platform for interaction and get responses.”

    The governorship candidates were subjected to various forms of questions bordering on their knowledge on governance and why they want to be the governor of the state.

    They also answered questions on how to improve the economy, Internal Generated Revenue, health, education, agriculture, reduce unemployment, tackle insecurity, infrastructure, and environment among others.

     

  • Akwa Ibom rewards taxi driver for rescuing 54-year-old woman

    The Akwa Ibom state government has presented cash rewards to a taxi driver and his passenger for saving the life of a 54-year old woman who was traveling in the same vehicle with them.

    Ifiok Obot, the cab driver and his passenger Mr. Inieyo Akpan had helper the midldle-aged woman, Mrs. Maria Effiong Bassey regain consciousness after she passed out while traveling from Uyo to Eket.

    The incident occurred on Thursday, November, 8, 2018.

    According to a press statement yesterday by the Ministry of Health,  Obot and Akpan had rushed Mrs. Bassey to hospital where she was eventually revived.

    “About 15 minutes after the female passenger (Maria Effiong Bassey) a Principal of Unity International Schools, Obo Ntong, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, who resides at Champion Breweries Estate, Uyo boarded the taxi she fell into a deep sleep.

    Read Also: APC will win in Akwa Ibom – Akpabio

    “She was said to become drowsy and incoherent in her speech when requested to pay her transport fare. Midway, she was not responding to calls or any commands and so these two gentlemen decided to look for the nearest health facility along the route.

    “The two Akwa Ibom good Samaritan decided to take her to Immanuel General Hospital Eket, after attempt to get her treated at two hospitals earlier failed.  They got her admitted, paid a deposit for her treatment, then proceeded to report the incident at the Eket Police Station”,  it added.

    The statement further explained that Mr. Inieyo Akpan was able to get in contact with her family members by posting her photograph on Facebook, after it became difficult to get in touch with them as Mrs. Bassey had no form of identification on her.

    It added that it was when Mrs. Bassey’s daughter arrived the hospital at about 8.30pm same day that her identity became known.

    Presenting the cash rewards to the taxi driver Ifiok Obot and Inieyo Akpan on behalf of state government, last weekend, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, said the gesture demonstrates that Akwa Ibom state government also encourages rewards for hard work, and humanitarian services outside the Civil service.

    Dr. Ukpong who identified compassion as a major criterion for health workers in the State, disclosed that Governor Udom Emmanuel has approved special awards for Student Nurses who show passion and delivering health care services in the state.

    According to Ukpong, “The selection of beneficiaries for the scholarship will be based on academic performance, discipline, empathy, kind disposition, dedication to duty and above all good character, and the award shall span for three-year duration of their studies”

    In a brief remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board  Mrs Stella Etukakpan said  it was deserving to thank and appreciate the Akwa Ibom indigenes who exhibited a high sense of patriotism and humanitarian services by saving an unconscious woman.

  • Akwa Ibom begins construction of 60 modular classrooms

    The Akwa Ibom State government says it has begun the construction of sixty modular classroom blocks across the 10 federal constituencies in the state.

    Ten modular classroom blocks have already been built in Uyo High School, Etoi primary school, Uyo and in schools in Onna local government area.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Uyo on why the classroom blocks were built, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Victor Inoka said the government taught it wise for students in public schools to enjoy a feel of what students in developed countries who have modular classrooms were enjoying.

    He said the classroom blocks regulate temperature according to the weather condition, and that the classrooms are cool when the temperature is hot.

    He explained that the classrooms are fitted with gadgets to access information across the world and that in the classrooms; there is no need for air-conditioners.

    He stated that the classroom accommodates 30 students and a teacher, adding that it is resistant to fire.

    “Sixty schools are proposed for the project. It is supposed to be 60 modular classroom blocks in the 10 federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom. This is the first phase of the project, the materials are complete and ready for use.

    “We have done four in Uyo High school, Oron road, one at Etoi primary and secondary schools. There are two at Onna local government areas, we have built and completed it. Others are spread across the 10 federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom.

    “The essence is for the students to feel what other students in civilised countries such as America, Britain, China, Korea etc. feel. The classroom blocks regulate temperature to be moderate according to the weather condition. It is fire resistant.

    “It can be cool when the temperature is hot without air conditioner. With the gadgets you access anywhere that is what we want to do here. The normal classroom is 30 students to a teacher.

    “The equipment for the modular class room blocks were ordered from Turkey. The experts came to assemble it from Turkey; most of the equipment are in the Ministry of Education warehouse,” he said.

    Prof. Inoka said the government is currently sponsoring the education of 31 students in private schools drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state.

    Read Also: Revamping Akwa Ibom economy

    He said poor but intelligent students whose parents would ordinarily not afford to sponsor them in private schools were picked for the scholarships programme.

    He stated that the government has faithfully lived up to its expectations regarding the payment of fees for the children and said it was determined to ensure Akwa Ibom children enjoy quality education.

    He said the government is tackling the problem of infrastructural deficits in public schools on phasal basis and that soon; the problem of poor infrastructure will be totally eradicated.

    “In all the 31 local government areas we sent children to the best schools through scholarship, and government is paying for them; the boarding and school fees is paid for them by the government. I can show you vouchers and tellers we paid straight to the school account.

    “We said if the millionaires are sending their children to Tower of Ivory or Top Faith School, we should have these children experiment what it is. It is not as if public school is meant for poor people. We selected 31 children from all the 31 local government areas in the state”.

     

  • Akwa Ibom lawmaker sets ten prisoners free

    The member representing Onna State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Otuekong Nse Essien has set ten inmates of Uyo Prisons free.

    The lawmaker, who extended the gesture in the spirit of the Yuletide season, paid various amount fines totalling N785,000 (Seven hundred and eighty five thousand Naira) to the Uyo prison authorities to set the 10 inmates free.

    The prisoners freed, our correspondent learnt, were remanded in prison for various offences including stealing, conspiracy to deal on petroleum product, assault and drug-related crimes.

    Speaking on Thursday at the Uyo Prisons, the lawmaker said his gesture of paying fines to set prisoners was aimed at giving hope and encouragement to prison inmates.

    According to Essien, he has so far freed 51 prisoners free over the past four years, adding that his intervention has helped in decongesting the Uyo Prisons.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom to establish an airline company

    The lawmaker admonished the freed prisoners to turn away from crime so that they could be properly reintegrated into the society, stressing that crime does not pay.

    Addressing the prisoners, Essien said, ”I urge you to get closer to God and reform your lives to fit into the society.

    ”I admonish you to shun crime because crime does not pay. Again you may never have a second chance.

    ”I hereby call on well-to-do individuals to also join me in decongesting prisons across the country.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Uyo Prisons, Mr. Babafemi Jayeioba appreciated the lawmaker for putting smiles on the faces of the inmates.

    Describing the legislator as ‘a symbol of God’, the deputy comptroller said the benevolence exhibited by the House Member would help him secure a second term victory at the Assembly elections.

  • Akwa Ibom to establish an airline company

    The Akwa Ibom State Government says it plans to establish an airline company to ensure maximum utilization of its modern airport.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel said this in his speech at a solemn assembly to usher in the New Year in Uyo on Wednesday.

    Emmanuel said government would bring joy to the people of the state in 2019, adding that the state would blaze the trail as the only state in the country to wholly owned and run an airline.

    “We promised you improved electricity and you all witnessed that our electricity has improved significantly , we promised our youths, women and our elders, traders empowerment, we have done just that,’’ he said.

    He said since his assumption of office in 2015, he has not disappointed the people saying that that explain why the state is attracting investors and enjoying peace and progress.

    Read Also: Revamping Akwa Ibom economy

    “That is the reason we are able to embark on numerous capital projects when others can’t even pay salaries of their workers, the reason why we are expanding and consolidating our infrastructure amenities such as the construction and commissioning or ongoing works of over 1700 kilometers of roads,” Emmanuel said.

    He also said government has remodeled health facilities in Etinan, Ikot Okoro, Ituk Mbang, Iquita, Ikono, Emmanuel Hospital and Eket adding that he came as a governor to serve the people.

    “The resource available to our people has been used to take care of our people. As they say, a good job executed demands more job to be done. That is what I am committed to doing when you return me to the hilltop mansion,’’ he said.

    He urged the people to participate fully in the forthcoming general election and not to give in to lies by the opposition in the state.

    NAN

  • Committee raises alarm over danger posed by burrow pits in A’Ibom

    The Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee have raised the alarm over dangers caused by burrow pits in Akwa Ibom state.

    Chairman of the Committee, Akwa Ibom state, Obong Bassey Inua-eyen, in a press briefing Tuesday said contractors have abandoned burrow pits across the state which are grave threats to the people.

    Read Also:FG approves polytechnic for Akwa-Ibom

    Inua-eyen pleaded with the chairmen of local government councils in the state to furnish his committee with information of abandoned burrow pits found in the areas, stressing that plans are way to designate such areas as danger zones.

    He said, “The committee has also observed that the environment is degraded by burrow pits which are abandoned by contractors thereby posing dangers to the citizen of that community and also degrading the esthetic of the state.

    “We intend to decommission such areas and plead with the chairman of the local governments to furnish us with information of abandoned burrow pits found in their areas.

    Inua-eyen said his committee after one year of its existence has recorded successes in the area of the formation of all miners into a body known as the “Miner Association of Nigeria” and has carried out sensitisation visits to some local governments in furtherance of its function of ensuring the development of and exploitation of mineral resources in a sustainable manner.

    He advised the mining operators in the state to register with the Ministry of Environment and Solid Mineral and regularize their registration to enable them obtain mining lease from the federal Ministry of Mines and Steel and development.

    He also appealed to them to inculcate the importance of health while mining in a regulated and sustainable manner and carry out community development agreement with their host community.

    The chairman warned operators to strictly comply with the directives stressing the violators would face severe sanctions or risk being invited by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission in accordance with section 46 of the EFCC Act 2004.