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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Guber polls: South South hails military over deployment of troops to protect voters

    The South-South Coalition for Credible Leadership has described as a welcome the deployment of military troops to the region ahead of the Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections.
    The coalition said the action would further boost the confidence of electorate during the polls.
    Briefing newsmen on Thursday, Success Timothy, the Coordinator General of the group, said the deployment is necessary following the success of the troops in some south-southern states during the national assembly and presidential election on February 23.
    According to him, the presence of troops during the elections proved to be the right decision in view of the fact that acts of politically motivated violence were limited to a few instances.
    Success said the he pockets of violence witnessed in some parts of Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers state would have been more widespread but for the presence of troops.
    According to him, “Interestingly, the Niger-Delta, where political leaders clamored most against military presence for the election, recorded more of the instances of violence and ballot snatching during the exercise. It is logical that soldiers should be withdrawn from areas that were largely peaceful during the polls of two weeks ago to allow for the deployment of higher number of troops to the places that recorded violence.
    “Meanwhile, we observed that the personnel of the Nigerian Army were able to maintain peace and prevent political brigandage while adhering to acceptable rules of engagement. They fear of abuse and intimidation of the civilian population, which opponents of military deployment had used to back up their argument, turned out to unjustified as law abiding citizens had nothing to be apprehensive about. Only attackers that had intended to deprive other people of their right to life were gunned down in exchange of gunfire with troops in Rivers state.
    “

    Read Also:Gunmen attack warehouse, kill policeman in Aba

    The South- South Coalition for Credible Leadership therefore passes a vote of confidence on the Nigerian Army and its personnel. They have the capacity to support security operations in the regions towards ensuring that elections hold without citizens being afraid for their lives or worrying that their votes will not count because ballot box snatchers. Their presence in the entire Niger-Delta region will ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order by any group of persons.
    “We passed this vote of confidence cognizant of the campaign of calumny being waged against the deployment of the military for the elections. It does not take long to decipher the intent of those opposed to troops being in the Niger-Delta during this period. These people comprise of opposition political parties that lost in the presidential and National Assembly elections because they were unable to use thugs to snatch and stuff ballot boxes just as they were unable to intimidate voters.
    “The other sets of people opposed to seeing troops in the Niger-Delta are the militants and sabotage economic infrastructure in the region as well as those that have their sight set on kidnap for ransom. These are backed up by separatist elements, including those that belong to groups that the courts have outlawed. They are apparently scared that the presence of the military in the area will yield credible intelligence that can be used to dismantle their non-election related criminality.
    “It is most unfortunate that the criminal intentions of the aforementioned groups are being hidden behind the façade of ‘the opposition’ and for marshalling weak arguments against the deployment of troops to secure the country during the elections. The fake news they are peddling is that the Army is the region to favour particular candidates. This must rank among the greatest lies told so far in 2019.
    “We note the charge by the Chief if Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, to troops and commanders to do better during their deployment for Saturday’s election. Such decisive and responsive leadership has contributed to the sterling performance that the Nigerian Army displayed during the previous elections. His acknowledgement of the few instances of violence and a commitment to correct these errors is laudable for this gives the assurance that there will be improved voters’ turn out once the electorate are reassured that they are safe.”

  • Akwa Ibom need not play opposition politics – Osinbajo

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday cautioned the people of Akwa Ibom State against playing opposition politics, just as he listed the gains inherent in being part of national politics.

    Osinbajo, who was in the state for the Trader Moni, social empowerment program of the Buhari-led administration, stated this at the APC local government campaign at Nsit Attai, in Akwa Ibom State .

    According to the Vice President, “For this local government and Akwa Ibom State to fully benefit from the government at the centre by virtue of its natural resources, there is the need for the state to play national politics, so that palm oil, the highest income earner after crude oil, would be fully harnessed for the development of the state and the economic well-being of its people.”

    He described the attendance at the local government campaign as a confirmation that the people of the state were ready to vote in all APC candidates in the forth-coming general elections. “Akwa Ibom people have come to accept the APC as the only vehicle for genuine development of the state. Akwa Ibom State has no reasons to play opposition politics.

    The Buhari government is determined to ensure that our youths are employed, not just employment, we are talking about quality jobs,” he stressed. Addressing the rally, former Senate Minority Leader and South-South Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Godswill Akpabio, assured the presidency of victory at the February 16 and March 2 polls, asserting that the state will deliver the President and other candidates with overwhelming votes.

  • Foreign observers commend military’s professional conduct during elections

    Some Independent Foreign Observers have commended the Nigerian Military for their professional conduct during the Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
    They gave this commendation via a statement made available to The Nation on Tuesday.
    The observers in the statement signed by Bill Campbell added that having examined the roles of stakeholders in the electoral processes found out that military played a commendable roles in the Saturday’s elections.
    They said, “The Independent Foreign Observers is an amalgamation of organizations drawn from all over the world to monitor the general elections in Nigeria on the invitation of a select Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria. Consequently, the head of the mission, Bill Campbell deployed election observers around Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the credibility of the elections and the role of the various actors in the electoral process.
    The Independent Foreign Observers was headed by Bill Campbell, a diplomat, and conflict resolution expert who has garnered years of experience in election monitoring in African countries. Bill Campbell’s experience spans 6 continents and over 50 countries, where he has experienced dozens of elections and other less conventional changes of government.  He has braved tsunamis, typhoons, earthquakes, political revolutions and long treks on public transportation, to learn about and observe democracy in action.  A graduate of NYU, Bill has been the President of his Rotary Club, constantly looking for ways to serve communities big and small. He brought his wealth of experience to bear in the monitoring of the general elections in Nigeria.
    As part of its mandate to monitor and report the credibility of the general elections in Nigeria, the Independent Foreign Observers undertook a systematic survey of the dynamics inherent in the Nigeria society and consequently designed a template that accommodated the religious and ethnic sensitivity of the Nigerian people in various states of the federation with a view to getting the objective responses from the electorate as the case may be. The essence was to help observe the dynamics, make recommendations and commendations where necessary based on the competence of the team.

    Read Also:Observers hail INEC, security agencies in Kano

    It was observed amongst other things some section of the country whipped up ethnic sentiments which could undermine the electoral process.
    Some segment of the populace also played the religious card before the electorates in an attempt to induce or coerce votes for their political parties.
    Outcome:
    Consequently, there was palpable tension in the polity as regards the security of lives and properties.
    The government, therefore, deployed a mix of security agencies to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process as well as maintaining law and order throughout the polls.
    Election Issues
    Elections were conducted in the 36 states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Our team of observers were on ground to monitor the polls and turned in a detailed report on what they observed in the various states that they were deployed.
    The Independent Foreign Observers worked in active collaboration with local NGOs in the various states, and this unique collaboration made the election monitoring exercise seamless and worthwhile.
    Voters Turnout:
    It was observed that there was a huge voters’ turnout in parts of the country especially in Northern Nigeria. (North East and North West)
    The voters defied the harsh climatic conditions to come out in their numbers to cast their votes at the various polling units
    The South Eastern States also witnessed a large turnout of voters (Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo)
    The South Western States didn’t experience as much voters’ turnout as in other parts of the country. This was primarily due to a palpable tension because political analysts had classified the South Western states as the battleground for candidates of both parties.
    The South-South states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River also witnessed a large turnout of voters.
    The Elections:
    From monitoring the elections, it was observed that the electoral process was able to maintain its credibility by the combined efforts of the security agencies led by the Nigerian Army that ensured that incidences of ballot box snatching and other electoral vices were curtailed.
    Voters exercised their electoral franchise without fear especially in the northern part of the country. Our team of observers noted that in the Northern parts of the country, which hitherto was known for underage voting did not experience cases of underage voting. Incidences of vote buying were also prevalent in most parts of the South-South and South Eastern States.
    The outbreak of Violence:
    Our team of observers witnessed pockets of violence in some parts of the country occasioned by attempts by party agents to snatch ballot boxes. This resulted in an open confrontation with the security agencies who showed resilience in the face of provocation.
    Rivers States witnessed the highest level of violence and arms bearing by political thugs that led to the death of an INEC official, an officer of the Nigerian Army and scores of people.
    The Election and the Nigerian Military:
    Our team of observers noted the contributions of the Nigeria Army in maintaining the credibility of the electoral process. The Nigeria Army was able to provide security of lives and properties throughout the election process.
    In the North Eastern states of Yobe and Borno, the Nigeria Army provided watertight security, and this accounted for the large turnout of voters in the region.
    In the fringes where it was expected that there would be security lapses, the Nigeria Army rose to the occasion as there were no recorded cases of security lapses by our team of observers.
    Conclusion:
    The Independent Foreign Observers salutes the resilience and courage of the Nigerian people through the duration of the elections.
    The elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace brought about by the combined efforts of the security agencies.
    Cases of electoral violence were minimal but for a few states
    The Nigerian Army rose to the occasion by deploying men and resources around the country to protect the credibility of the process
    The Nigeria Army conducted itself professionally and within the ambit of the law even in instances of provocation as experienced in some states.
    Commendation:
    The Independent Foreign Observers particularly singles out the Nigeria Army for praise in its conduct during the elections. We noted a display of a high sense of professionalism even in the face of provocation by agents of political parties.
    The Independent Foreign Observers also commends the leadership of the Nigeria Army for the high-level coordination of its troops across the country. The Independent also charges the Nigeria Army to deploy the same strategy in the forthcoming gubernatorial and states houses of assembly elections.

  • Ekere insists on financial autonomy for councils

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Obong Nsima Ekere, has reaffirmed his commitment to financial autonomy for the third tier of government in the state.

    Ekere, who is also the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), restated his commitment to financial autonomy for councils during his campaign rally in Itu and Ibiono Ibom local government areas of the state.

    He also stated he would resuscitate ailing industries, infrastructural development, safeguard the state, and pay bursaries to students.

    At the Ibiono Ibom rally at Okoita, Ekere, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom state lamented that local government despite being the third tier of government have been starved of funds.

    According to him, this has led to underdevelopment of the grassroots.

    “The Local Government is the third tier of the government. we want it to be independent so that people at the grassroots can feel the impact of good governance which an APC government in this state will offer.

    ”Ibiono Ibom is very large, but because of paucity of funds, nothing is being done here and in other Local Government Areas,” he stated.

    He regretted the area has lagged behind developmentally and promised to make Ibiono Ibom one of the development Areas under his administration.

    Ekere called on the people of Ibiono Ibom to vote enmasse for all candidates of the APC in the elections.

    In Itu Local Government Area, where the gubernatorial candidate addressed the rally at Primary School, Mbak Atai, he promised to bring permanent peace to tackling the protracted boundary clashes between communities in Itu local government area and neighbouring communities in Cross River State.

    He called on them to keep faith in the party

    The APC governorship flagbearer promised to revive the moribund Quality Ceramics Limited which has been in coma since 1992.

    Canvassing votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, Ekere said the federal government has done well Itu and Ibiono Ibom with the construction of the Calabar – Itu federal highway.

  • Akwa Ibom and resurgence of APC

    On December 28, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off his second term campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The huge success of the event, the massive and enthusiastic crowd of supporters that thronged the GodswillAkpabio International Stadium in solidarity with the aspiration of the president would have convinced anyone that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on an upward swing in The Land of Promise, as the state is fondly called.

    The choice of Akwa Ibom State for the flag-off of the campaign could not have been lost on political watchers. In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC got a paltry 58, 411 of the total votes as against the 953, 304 scored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP.) Before now it was taken for granted that Akwa Ibom State was a PDP state. There was the boast among PDP supporters that the party is like a religion in the state. This was indisputable.

    However, despite the massive electoral support that the state had often given to the PDP since 1999, she has not got much to show for it. It is a known fact that the PDP federal government had not constructed a single kilometre of road in the state between 1999 and 2015. The state was even denied the refunds of the money the state government deployed to construct federal roads. Instructively, the administration of President Buhari has refunded the money to the state. Neither was there much that accrued to the state in terms of political appointment outside the ones statutorily guaranteed by the constitution.

    This is in sharp contrast to the present dispensation which despite not having been supported by the state, the Buhari administration has done so much for Akwa Ibom in terms of infrastructure and political appointments. For instance, the federal government has awarded the contract for the dualization of Odukpani – Itu (spur to Ididep) – IkotEkpene road; contract awarded for the construction of Abak – Ekperakwa – Ete – IkotAbasi road and a presidential approval for the construction of Section 5 of the East – West road: Oron (Akwa Ibom State) – Calabar (Cross River State.)

    There is also the presidential directive for the dualization of IkotEkpene – Aba road as captured in the 2019 budget. Approvals have also been granted for the extension of rail route to Akwa Ibom State and N2.2 billion for the Ibom Deep Seaport which has been captured in the 2018 budget. With the construction of a power sub-station in Ibiono Ibom, power supply has been boosted in the state.

    Akwa Ibom sons and daughters have been appointed into important positions like the managing director of the Niger Delta Development (NDDC); managing director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority and dozens of appointments into federal government boards and parastatals. Indeed Akwa Ibom has never had it this good. For the massive infrastructure in the state and political inclusion of the people even when they did not support him, Akwa Ibom people believe President Buhari is a fair and just leader they can trust. This has attracted more members into the party in the last three years.

    A lot more has happened to raise the optimism of members of the APC that the party would convincingly win the state in the forth-coming general elections. From not having a single member in the National Assembly in 2015, APC in Akwa Ibom State now boasts of two out of three senators and four out of 10 members of the House of Representatives and six members in the state House of Assembly.

    The optimism of the APC taking over Akwa Ibom State is not misplaced. According to the leader of the party in the state, Senator GodswillAkpabio in a recent interview, “When I hear that Akwa Ibom is going to be a battle ground, I laugh because there is no battle ground in a state that has already shown direction. I can confidently confirm to you that the first state President Buhari will win within three hours of voting is Akwa Ibom. This is because of the change that the federal government has started,” he said.

    Indeed, the defection of Senator Akpabio into the APC on August 8, 2018 has turned around the fortunes of the party in the state. Apart from state and federal legislators, aides of Governor Udom Emmanuel have resigned their appointments in droves to team up with Senator Akpabio in APC. Undeniably, the who-is-who in Akwa Ibom State politics ranging from Atuekong Don Etiebet, ObongNsimaEkere, Senator John AkpanUdoedehe, Obong Umana Okon Umana, Senator ItaEnang, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and many other political heavyweights are determined to effect a change in the state. Virtually every politician of note in Akwa Ibom State is in APC.

    The most significant factor that has given the APC in Akwa Ibom State fresh hope is the abysmal performance of the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel. For almost four years no one can point to any major project initiated and completed by the Emmanuel administration. Even the governor has realized the anger of Akwa Ibom people that despite the humongous amount the state has collected from the federation account, being the highest earner in federal allocation, he has not executed any major project in almost four years. But his explanation in a recent interview is that he did not come to build monuments!

    Instead Akwa Ibom people have been treated to a circus of propaganda and lies. On billboards, the state government claims it has constructed 1,700 kilometres of road and 37 bridges. When the opposition pointed out that the unseen roads could equal the distance between Akwa Ibom and Maiduguri, the governor further reduced it to 1,000 km in a broadcast at the last Christmas Carol Festival. Nobody in the state knows the name of the communities that the phantom roads and bridges are located.

    Even though they are private investments, many of the cottage industries the state government claimed to have attracted to the state are mired in controversies. For instance, nobody can find the toothpick, rice, paint and fertilizer purportedly produced in the state anywhere in the market. The governor only flaunts them at the state executive council chambers and billboards to hoodwink unsuspecting visitors and the members of the public.

    During a recent campaign visit to IkotEkpene, Governor Emmanuel was hard put to explain to the people of the area why, in almost four years, he could not open a fully built and fully furnished Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, IkotEkpene which he inherited from the previous administration. The same thing to an uncompleted stretch of the Uyo – IkotEkpene road. The world class Ibom Specialist Hospital has been shut by Governor Emmanuel while the managers of the state owned Five Star Hotel, Ibom Hotel and Golf resort had since pulled out citing increasing indebtedness by the Emmanuel administration.

    Even the most ardent supporter of Governor Emmanuel agrees that his performance has been woeful but their argument is that since Obong Victor Attah and Chief Akpabio did two terms, he must also be allowed to do two terms. But Akwa Ibom people are not fools. A second term is not a trophy to be donated to anyone. It must be earned. The people recall with nostalgia that by the time the then Governor Akpabio completed his first term, he had delivered the Obong Victor Attah International Airport; built the concentric flyovers in Uyo; built the ultra-modern Governor’s Lodge; completed the Independent Power Project; the road projects included the dualizedAbak – IkotEkpene road; dualized Calabar – Itu highway; AfahaObong – EtimEkpo – Iwukem road; NungUdoeItak – Use IkotAmama road and other numerous projects within the first term. Bereft of what to show as achievement in almost four years, the administration has resorted to vile attacks on his predecessor, Senator Akpabio.

    Akwa Ibom people have become very unimpressed by the lacklustre performance of Governor Emmanuel. The massive turn out at APC rallies, and the daily defections into the party have given fresh hope that the APC may just be the party in waiting to take over Akwa Ibom State.

     

    • AnietieEkong writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

  • ‘Why Akwa Ibom should vote for change’

    Eseme Eyiboh is the erstwhile spokesperson of the House of Representatives and current chairman, Cross River Basin Development Authority. In this piece, he x-rays the manifesto of Obong Nsima Ekere, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.

    IF anyone really wants to know how Akwa Ibom has fared as a state in the last three years, the state of education is a good index, particularly performance in the West Africa School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in the past three years. From No.14th position in 2015, the state dropped to 17th in 2018.  That is to say, education suffered a sharp deterioration since 2015 when the current administration came into power.

    Presently, poor funding, poor learning environment, poor teacher-student ratio, and lack of motivation for teachers characterize education in the state. What do you expect when budgetary allocation for education has been consistently below the UNESCO recommended minimum of 26 per cent? At 1.6 per cent in 2018, the same percentage pegged for 2019, the truth is glaring: Akwa Ibom State is grossly underfunding the future of the coming generation. And there is no gainsaying that without government changing hand come next election, the education sector will continue on the downward spiral.

    This is why the agenda of Nsima Ekere, APC governorship candidate, is warmly welcome with optimism.

    Salvaging the educational sector requires nothing short of a complete overhaul and Ekere hit the right chord with his plan which calls for a declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector. If elected as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in the coming election, according to his agenda, the first six months of his administration will witness a summit of stakeholders and experts who will discuss, review and chart a new working plan for education in the state.

    His plans, majorly a special intervention fund of N30 billion for the upgrade of libraries, laboratories, sport facilities and construction of new school blocks; dramatic increase of education funding from the current 1.6 percent of the state budget to a target 25 per cent by 2023 and revision of curriculum to reflect 21st century realities et cetra–strongly reflect his passion to bring quality to education in the state.

    He is reinforcing his plan with motivational package from N25, 000 bursary for tertiary institution students every session to an annual award for the overall best-performing secondary school in the State in WASCE/NECO exams to award for the best-performing secondary school in the sciences in the state in WASCE/NECO, that will raise education to a whole new level in which all stakeholders are aware that a solid foundation is being laid for future greatness.

    Again, Ekere has demonstrated that he is not afraid to modernize. And where action is required, he is not one to waste time on rhetorics. That much is the message from his plan to computerized teaching and learning process and to tweak the curriculum to suit the modern skills and competencies required for future world leaders. He is bringing home the latest trend in education around the world.

    His commitment, foresight and innovativeness with regard to educational policy and programmes can be attributed to his upbringing, being raised by teacher parents. In this, the state can take comfort: that Nsima Ekere, himself an embodiment of quality education, will do his best possible to restore the glory of Akwa Ibom education. He can be counted upon to deliver on his promise.

    It has to be said that the state’s shambolic health situation is a challenge awaiting Nsima Ekere’s take over of the government house in Uyo come May 29, 2019. The decadence is summed up by a single fact: Infant mortality rate in the state is one of the highest in the Country at 69 deaths per thousand.

    Low government spending on the health sector largely caused the problem of healthcare in Akwa Ibom. Just a few years back, Akwa Ibom was being touted as a potential medical tourism destination. Today, the hospitals are understaffed, plagued by insufficient facilities and incapacitated by a low supply of medicines.

    In accordance with his “Health with Hope” policy, Ekere plans to commit a substantial part of the state’s resources to the development of state-of-the-art tertiary health care facilities. The plan he unveils calls on the people to envision a Nsima Ekere-led administration where the teaching hospital provides world-class treatment, where everyone has access to affordable and quality health care, where the state is replete with primary and secondary health care facilities.

    The calculation is simple: powered with funds, more job opportunities will be created in the health sector; with more jobs opportunities, the health sector will be able to generate more revenue; with more revenue, the sector will attract skilled doctors and manpower to the state.

    A holistic health programme, as he proposes, encompasses health insurance that will ensure that all citizens can avail the best quality healthcare. Here is where his Better Healthcare Initiative (BHI) fits in. From the look of it, the initiative aims to make the state’s existing 424 primary health care provider more effective. There is also a rural arm of BHI, titled Better Rural Health+Care Initiative (BrHI), conceived to handle preventive health care service on malaria, diabetes and blood pressure control, immunization and vaccination, ante and post-natal care.  Also, a new ambulance scheme (BHI+Ambulance) to handle medical emergencies is part of the health programme.

    In the blueprints is the proposed establishment of Ibom Medical City “as a flagship project using existing facilities at the Ibom Specialist Hospital to provide tertiary medical services to our people and to serve as a regional centre of medical excellence.”

    Overall, there is no better way of turning a state into a destination for medical tourism.

    In the area of social protection, the “Ekere manifesto” seeks to revamp the status quo where aged and retired citizens are perpetually owed their gratuities and pension, and the citizenry is overwhelmed with uncertainty for their future.

    A good, working social protection traditionally ameliorate the impacts of insecurity, poor health, and other factors of economic and social vulnerability. It is along this philosophy that Ekere’s strategy is forged. He is offering among other interventions, a social assistance programme that is a cocktail of benefits, including cash transfers, child welfare, and disability benefits, (especially to the poor), a social insurance (that is a contributory scheme that helps cover against risks and vulnerabilities) and a labour market programme that help people secure employment in both the short and long-term that will tide the people over and protect them against the hardship of life.

    This “working document” as the manifesto appears to be, is designed to impact on every member of the society, women and children included. This is reflected by the plan to domesticate the National Gender Policy wherein 35% target of women and youth participate in governance through affirmative action.

    They will ensure that women are given political support and all entitlements needed for substantial participation in political and economic processes. Those familiar with the positive development that comes with equal rights and empowerment, now can vouch safe that in a government headed by Ekere, women are going to play crucial roles as agents of change.

    A slew of other initiatives, tackling of maternal and child mortality rates, curbing child trafficking, abuse and molestation with Child’s Right Act and operationalising Federal Government’s free nutritional meals for children in all public primary schools indicate that issues of women and children are central to the APC government rearing to make its way into the Government House in Uyo come 2019.

    With the Third Pillar of his agenda Education, Health and Social Security, Ekere gives hope to the populace. The agenda is an assurance the “coming ONE” is concern about the situation of the people and the future of the state. Indeed Akwa Ibom State deserves the best!

     

  • Senate confirms REC, DG ICRC

    The Senate on Thursday confirmed appointment of Mr Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State as Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    This followed presentation of report by the Chairman Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sen. Suleiman Nazif, at the plenary.

    The Senate also confirmed Engr. Chidi Izuwah as the Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, congratulated Udo Tom on the confirmation.

    He said with the confirmation, INEC was fully constituted to carry out its mandate in the forthcoming elections.

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    He said, “all hands must be on deck to ensure credible elections and I appeal for neutrality and independence of INEC as an umpire.”

    Ekweremadu also congratulated Izuwah and urged him to find lasting solution to the problem of infrastructure deficit in the country.

    He charged him to ensure that the operations of ICRC were in line with international best practices.

  • I am ready to pay N30,000 minimum wage – Gov. Emmanuel

    The Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has said paying the new minimum wage in the state is not a problem.

    Speaking on Monday in Uyo during consultation with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, United Labour and other affiliated unions said the state government is only waiting on the Federal government to decide on the new minimum wage so that it can implement in the state.

    He said labour is the bedrock of development in any nation and commended the unions for their support so far, adding that he has fulfilled his promises to the unions.

    He stated that even when allocations from the Federal government was still pending, he sourced for money to make sure salaries were paid.

    “Labour is the key to development. You cannot relegate labour to the background.

    “Minimum wage has never been an issue, it is just that it has been a matter of legislation. We are waiting for directions from the Federal government, once the direction is given, we will pay.

    “In the face of circumstances and what we face in this country, I have done my best to make sure that workers do not suffer. I pay salaries in circumstances that I do not receive allocation. You did not elect me to make excuses but to find solution to problems.

    “I have demonstrated capacity yesterday and can look into the future. I am here today because you people have strengthened me to be here and made it possible for me to be here, and we can talk and negotiate. I thank labour for the fantastic relationship between the labour and us.

    Read Also: Emmanuel calls for redeployment of CP

    “The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has the best blueprint for workers in the country. We need your support in the usual manner to support us in the coming election. Today is the day for consultation. I want to thank God for the leadership of the labour and for this state. It is not in every state that labour sits like this with the governor,” he said.

    Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress State Chairman, Comrade Etim Ukpong said labour is  a very economicially and socially variable group, adding that he was happy the governor knows the labour has given him support.

    He said the workers are appreciative of what the governor and was he has done, and hope that he would fulfill all outstanding promises to them.

    “Over three and a half years, there had been no labour restiveness in Akwa Ibom State because you are working with people who can manage the situation.

    “Your coming gives us the satisfaction that we are working with somebody who understand the meaning of labour union. We welcome you here, you saw how the labour leaders welcomed you.

    “They appreciate you and what your government has spent during the period as governor, and as you are leaving this place, you will address what the people what to hear. Our workers want to see the consultation in action” he stated.

     

  • PDP members join APC in Akwa Ibom

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State Chief Felix Obuah has assured Governor Nyesom Wike that PDP will be re-elected on March 2.

    He promised that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other candidates in the state, would win in the February 16 and March 2 polls.

    Read also: Akwa Ibom rewards taxi driver for rescuing 54-year-old woman

    Obuah, according to his media aide, Pastor Jerry Needam, spoke in his Omoku hometown in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) council when he inaugurated the ONELGA PDP Campaign Council and office donated by him.

    He described Wike as a history maker, having surpassed expectations.

    Obuah, who noted the governor was going to the poll with incredible testimonial and scorecard of social, economic and political development, urged his supporters to vote for Wike and all PDP candidates.

  • 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.

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    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”.