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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Akwa Ibom faults EFCC over probe

    Akwa Ibom State has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for instituting a probe on its account.

    The government, in a statement by Commissioner of Information and Strategy Charles Udoh, said EFCC’s actions were illegal

    Its statement reads: “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a publication in The Nation Newspaper of November 11, 2018 alleging an Economic Financial & Crimes Commission (EFCC) probe of Akwa Ibom Government over withdrawal of N6.5bn from the state coffers.

    “We wish to state emphatically as follows; that

    – this is a malicious allegation and a desperate face saving effort by the EFCC to justify the several illegalities it has allowed itself to be used by the opposition to perpetrate against the Akwa Ibom State Government which have attracted widespread condemnation within and outside the country.

    ” For avoidance of doubt, the constitution and laws of the  Nigeria authorises only the state House of Assembly and the state auditor-general to pry into the financial dealings of a state government

    ” For the records, the current administration has made Akwa Ibom State one of the few states; if not the only state that publishes its annual audited financial statements. This underscores the state government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity in governance. Copies of the state’s annual audited financial statements are available in the public domain.

    “It is ludicrous that the EFCC has allowed itself to degenerate into a tool of loopsided political mudsling and witch-hunting used by the opposition in the state to cast aspersions on the integrity of the Akwa Ibom State government.

    “This story was earlier published in the same newspaper by the same author on August 12, 2018, and since it did not have the intended effects, EFCC has sadly condescended to regurgitating the story in a flagrant act of impunity against existing laws of Nigeria.

    “The Akwa Ibom State government will do all within its lawful limits to protect the integrity of governance in the state.

    “Recall that the Akwa Ibom State government had served notices of contempt to the EFCC and would not be dragged into a public discourse on a matter that is patently sub judice. This matter is before the Federal High Court Uyo.”

  • EFCC probes Akwa Ibom over withdrawal of another N6.5b from account

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing some Akwa Ibom State officials for alleged   withdrawal of N6.5billion in cash from an imprest account.

    The cash was said to have been diverted from a derivation account to the imprest account of the Ministry of Justice/ Office of the Accountant-General in the state.

    But following intelligence report, EFCC discovered that the allocation was gradually withdrawn in cash for “unknown purposes.”

    Detectives have started investigating clues that the cash was laundered by some state officials including a commissioner.

    About N200million out of the sum has been traced to the account of a commissioner in the state.

    Findings revealed that N105million out of the N200million was suspected to be a kick-back from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who was allegedly paid about N530million as “curious legal fees.”

    According to a fact-sheet obtained from the anti-graft agency, the N6.5billion was diverted from a derivation account to the imprest account between 2015 and 2017.

    A top source, who is privy to ongoing investigation, said: “The ongoing investigation of Akwa Ibom State has led to the uncovering of how another N6.5billion was withdrawn in cash in tranches for unspecified purposes.

    “The Bank Unit succeeded in tracking the cash from the Derivation Account/ Allocation to the imprest account of the Ministry of Justice/ Office of the Accountant-General in the state. This investigation is different from the N1.4billion, belonging to the state, which was wired into 11 suspected slush accounts.

    “Preliminary investigation confirmed a serious case of money laundering. The N6.5billion was withdrawn in piecemeal in cash to cover up any trail.

    “We are already looking into the accounts of some individuals and officials of the state including a commissioner who was suspected to have benefitted about N105million out of about N530million linked with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    “In fact, records showed that the commissioner made many cash deposits of N5million, N10million and N20million into his personal accounts. One of the aides of the commissioner was discovered to have assisted in making the cash deposits too.

    “Our detectives have renewed the review of the SAN’s accounts accordingly. Certainly, many links were used to launder the N6.5billion.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The aide to the commissioner has been detected and he has made useful statement.

    “Cash transactions by officials in Akwa Ibom have become rampant. But we will get to the roots of the laundering of this N6.5billion between 2015 and 2017.”

    The EFCC had earlier discovered how about N1.4billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State Government was wired into 11 suspected slush accounts.

    The cash was remitted into the suspected accounts in two tranches of N1.1billion and N300million.

    Some of the accounts belong to eight top lawyers in the country who are under surveillance.

    One of the affected lawyers has made statement to the EFCC on how he came about huge transfers into his account from Akwa Ibom State Government accounts.

    The source told detectives that the “curious deposits” were legal fees for 16 cases but without records of any agreement between his team and the state government.

    But instead of paying the legal fees through cheques, the N1.4billion was hauled into the 11 accounts in cash.

    The EFCC however discovered that one of the accounts was opened on March 16, 2016 and the narration of the deposit showed that it received huge sum on March 14, 2016.

    The N1.4billion was remitted into the 12 accounts as follows: N135m; N120m; N100m; N60m; N60m; N65m; N570m; N75m; N75m; N75m; N30m; and N45m.

    The fact-sheet said: “There was no document tied to specific payment. The deposit also did not specify what the cash was meant for.

    “There was no evidence of any agreement between the state government and the beneficiaries of the N1.4billion. The lead coordinator of the lawyers who benefitted from the cash could not say how much was charged and how much was agreed upon.

    “The lead lawyer only said the cash was for 16 cases in various courts across the country but only a case was reflected as having gone from the lower court to the Supreme Court.

    “The lead lawyer has made statement without any shred of evidence or document to justify the legal contract.”

  • Akwa Ibom: Why pensions and gratuities matter

    The Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Uwem Andrew- Essien, recently made known the fact that the state government had paid pension and gratuity arrears spanning 10 years to the state’s civil service retirees. According to him, the arrears have been cleared till 2015, thus leaving outstanding payment of those civil servants that retired in 2016 alone. He further explained that the payment is being done in batches because of the huge sums of money involved.

    This year alone, a total of 7,780 retirees have collected either outstanding gratuities or pension as the case may be.  The accountant general said such payment would continue to remain a priority of the Udom Emmanuel-led administration as a demonstration of its commitment to the well-being of the people of the state.  Right now, the state government has commenced the compilation of names of civil servants who retired in 2016, so that they could also get their retirement benefits.

    Ordinarily, payment of workers’ gratuities and pensions should not be celebrated as it is being done these days. After all, workers according to the Holy Books surely deserve their wages. But that has been far from the experience of workers in Nigeria. Only the fortunate ones get theirs probably six times in a year. For the most unfortunate ones among them, they can be owed theirs for a whole year.  Some state governments owe workers as many as 36 months’ salaries. Some local governments have not even paid their workers for more than three years.

    One then begins to wonder the kind of productivity any employer could demand from workers that are denied even the most basic incentive for going to work. Unfortunately, this aberration is fast becoming a norm in the country. The other day, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, astonishingly declared  that governors were not elected only to pay salaries of civil servants. Justifying non-payment of workers’ salaries by state governments, he contended that there was no way the governors could perform magic if there were no funds to pay workers.

    Such is the level of arrogance often displayed by some of our leaders when it comes to discharging their basic responsibility to their workers, especially seeing to the welfare of civil servants. What is generally accepted as the norm in employer-worker relationship is that employers provide work for their employees and pay them in return for the services they render.That is why an employer thinks it through before committing to the responsibility of hiring extra hands knowing that such action has implication in terms of financial input. Simply put, no sane employer hires just for the fun of it, but they do so to maximise their returns. But sadly, some Nigerian workers have been reduced to begging for what is legitimately theirs. Some even go into a frenzy of excitement when they are paid four months out of probably 36 months’ salary arrears owed them by some of their governors.

    In fact, salary payment has become such an issue in today’s Nigeria that states that pay workers on regular basis now count it as a major achievement. Despite the release of the London and Paris Club refunds to states to offset outstanding salaries, many states still owe their workers.

    The foregoing are some of the reasons why the decision of Governor Udom Emmanuel to pay pension arrears ofAkwa Ibom retirees is such a big deal. To start with, the gratuities and pensions arrears cleared have beenthere for over 10 years. No doubt, a lot of efforts must have gone into planning and generating the revenue required to meet this obligation. This is more so especially in an era when allocations from the federal government have continued to reduce. It must have taken a rare and deep commitment to the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom State for the governor to have taken this step. So, it is commendable.

    Of course, it is out of place for civil servants that have worked for years to be denied their gratuities or pensions. There are even stories of pensioners dying due to lack of  money to treat themselves when they were sick or others dying in the queue as they awaited the  so-called  benefit that is even too small to accomplish anything reasonable.  The local governments appear to be the worst culprits when it comes to owing workers.  Fortunately for them, the public rarely put them on the spot.  Although Nigeria runs a three- tier structure of government, many people only talk about the state and federal government, thus making it appear as if the local governments don’t have any responsibilities. Yet they collect allocations from the federation account every month just like the states do.

    But beyond the payment of pensions and arrears by the Akwa Ibom State government, it is high time state governments all over the country began to work at finding a permanent solution to the problem of non- payment of salaries and allowances of civil servants in the country.No doubt, most civil services are over-bloated. There are many people in the civil service that have no business being there. There is also problem with efficiency as sometimes 10 people could be on ground to do the work meant for just three people. To many state governments, employment in the civil service is merely political- a sort of party patronage. That is why they over-employ and also find it difficult to pay salaries.

    But, while it may be difficult to advocate an outright reduction of staff strength in a country struggling in and out of recession, states should know that the onus is on them to make their workers productive.

    There are too many under-utilised people in the civil service. This has to change.  Civil servants can offer Nigeria a better deal than we are currently getting, but that can only happen in an environment where everyone is on their toes to add to the quality of lives of the citizenry. There is enough work for civil servants to do. For instance, there is a works ministry in every state, yet there are potholes everywhere. We have agriculture ministries that do not have farm plantations or extension services. The era of lazy civil service should be gone and the earlier our governments at all levels realised this, the better it will be for everyone.

     

    • Anthony writes from Lagos.

     

  • FG tasked on lasting solution to flood onslaught

    The federal government has been tasked to pursue ways that will bring lasting solutions to the onslaught of flooding across communities in Nigeria.

    The director of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

    According to him, not only are properties worth millions of naira lost to the ravaging flood, several lives have been yearly, cut short.

    It will be noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NMA) had warned of the impending disaster in 11 states including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara. However, not much was done by relevant government agencies to avert the situation.

    Mulade, in his statement, therefore appealed to the federal and state governments, international civil society organizations, private sectors as well as well-meaning individuals to join CEPEJ to provide assistance, especially in resettling flood victims in the country.

    He said “As a non-governmental organization with a special focus on environmental justice, we are sensitizing the people living within the affected areas and call for adequate relief materials to the victims and to properly resettle them.

    “CEPEJ is also by this means advocating that the federal government provides continued assistance in the resettlement efforts towards finding a permanent solution to the problem of flooding in Nigeria. We are deeply saddened that several lives have been lost to the annual flooding in the affected areas, homes and farmlands have been destroyed, means of livelihood brought to an abrupt halt and farm produce worth millions of naira have also been destroyed.

    Read Also: Flood kills 20-year-old in Anambra

     

    “CEPEJ hopes that as part of the Federal Government’s long term measures, the construction of buffer dams on the long stretch of the Niger be considered, to intermittently break wild water tides and avoid future re-occurrence”, he said.

    Noting that many affected persons are yet to be reached with aids, he added that suffering is on the increase for cases where it was practically impossible to send relief materials or evacuate the victims.

    In September, a national disaster was declared in the worst four affected states; Anambra, Delta, Kogi and Niger, with NEMA releasing a report that about 327,052 people are affected in the flooded states with over 70 casualties.

    Also, an outbreak of malaria and water borne diseases has been reported, just as displaced persons are currently being hosted in emergency shelters such as local government offices, schools, stadiums, churches and internally displaced persons (IDP) hostels built by Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation.

  • DPR shuts two illegal gas stations in Akwa Ibom

    THe Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has shut two illegal gas stations in houses in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    The facilities with hoses connected to cylinders at the back of the houses, according to DPR officials, posed danger to residents, as they were capable of exploding and killing inhabitants of Ukana Offot community.

    The Operations Controller of DPR, Mr. Tamunoiminabo Kingsley-Sundaye, yesterday in Uyo during the sealing off, ordered operators of the illegal gas stations to desist from carrying on with the illegal business.

    He said they should dismantle the facilities. Kingsley-Sundaye threatened to visit the gas stations again and arrest anyone found on the premises, as the operation was done at variance with engineering standards, safety measures, and guidelines.

    He said: “This morning, we received intelligence report that residents of two areas in Uyo are breaking the law by establishing facilities that are not allowed, not recognised and not approved by law.

    “The report has it that gas cylinders are being stored in private homes and pipes placed outside with hoses dispensing the item to the public.

    “These facilities have no engineering standard approved by DPR. They have no safety measures and if they are allowed to remain in the neighborhood, the people are in danger. That was why we sealed off the illegal gas stations.

    “We will follow up the action by writing the authorities, which include the Fire Service, Uyo Capital Development Authority, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Service and Nigeria Police.

    “The people engaging in this illegal business should desist. They should dismantle the facilities in the next few days; otherwise we shall use law enforcement agencies to get rid of them.”

    Kingsley-Sundaye added that DPR could not have approved an illegal establishment capable of wiping out a whole community.

    According to him, if the agency had approved the facilities, it would not have sealed them off.

  • Army begins ‘Crocodile Smile III’ exercise in Niger Delta

    The Nigerian Army says it has commenced Operation Crocodile Smile III exercise across the states of the Niger Delta to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism in the region.

    This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Tuesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Tayo Oluwafemi of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army.

    According to him, the exercise which started on Monday October 22 would last till November 22, 2018.

    “In line with the Army Headquarters Training Directive for Year 2018 which tasked Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt to organize above mentioned exercise, the exercise is going to take place within the States in the Niger Delta Region including Akwa Ibom State.

    “In view of this, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo will from Monday 22 October to 22 November 2018 conduct Exercise Crocodile Smile III.

    “This is aimed at stemming the tide of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes, “ he said.

    He added that other activities to be carried out include; Medical Outreaches, Sanitation Exercise, Distribution of items to Orphanages, Distribution of Sporting Equipment to Schools, Distribution of items to Market Women and Sinking of Borehole in selected Local Government Areas.

    He warned members of the public that there would be movement of troops and equipment and advised them not to panic.

    He urged members of the public especially residents of Ikot Abasi and Mbo Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom to keep away from the exercise area.

  • Workshop on PIGB to hold in Akwa Ibom

    In a bid to provide an opportunity for Journalists in the South East and South South geopolitical zones to understand the urgent and key issues around oil and gas sector reform particularly the PIBs, with how and why they should support advocacy for their passage and assent; a workshop on Petroleum and Governance Bill (PIGB) will hold.

    Read Also:PIGB: NASS to mount pressure for presidential assent — Saraki

    The workshop, which is expected to hold between 24th and 27th October, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, will have selected journalists from all the states that make up the zone deliberate on the bill which was passed by the National Assembly on March 28, this year but it’s yet to be assented to by the president.

    A statement by the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC), disclosed that the PIGB ,which is practically consistent with the National Petroleum Policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council in July, 2017, is expected to ensure good governance in Nigerian Petroleum Industry, separate the roles and functions of the institutions and commercial entities in order to enable transparency and accountability and assigns regulatory functions of the National Petroleum Regulatory Commission to operate independently.

    The workshop is also expected to help build capacity for journalists to engage and report petroleum industry reform more and better.

    “The bill also will clarify the role of the regulator and the commercial entities managing petroleum resources on behalf of Nigeria, provides for incorporation of the commercial entities as companies limited by shares with precise objectives and specifies the role of the board of directors, among others,” the report stated.

    The event is the second leg of a similar event held for northern representatives of NUJ and it’s expected to witness industry policy experts including Leonard Ugbaja, and Joe Nwakwue.

     

  • PSC, NPF clears air on promotion of DIGs

    The Police Service Commission and Nigeria Police Force on Monday clarified the air on the recent promotion of senior Police officers.

    The promotion exercise recently carried out affected three Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) who were promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) and four Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the rank of AIG.

    Following the promotion, there was a report which claimed that there was tension in the Force  but the PSC and the NPF described the report as untrue adding that there was no tension whatsoever.

    The Commission also said the approval of the promotion followed due process.

    The report reads in part: “Indication has emerged that tension is building up in the Police Force as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has rejected the promotion of an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), to the next rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) by the Police Service Commission (PSC) without his recommendation”.

    The report also claimed that the IGP showed disapproval when he learnt of the promotion of Mr. Musa Katsina Muhammed from AIG to DIG by the Commission, instead of AIG Abdulsalam Iyaji, he recommended.

    Reacting to the report, the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani said: “The Commission wishes to state that there is no tension in the Nigeria Police Force rather there is a new wave of hope as the Commission moves to sanitize the Force and return it to the path of rectitude.

    “The new Management has since assumption of office insisted on working strictly with laid down rules and regulations guiding its Constitutional mandate of Appointment, Promotion and Discipline in the Nigeria Police Force. This procedure was observed in the promotion of three Assistant Inspectors General of Police to Deputy Inspectors General.

    “Before the recent promotions, the Nigeria Police Force had four DIGs representing four geo-political zones.

    They are Maigari Dikko, from Katsina, representing the North West; Joshak Habila, from Plateau State, representing the North Central; Emmanuel T. Inyang, from Akwa Ibom State, representing South South; and Agboola Oshodi-Glover, from Lagos, representing South West.

    “The Commission considered the recommendations of the IGP of three AIGs for promotion to DIGs.

    “They were Mohammed Sani Usman from Bauchi, representing North East; Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah, from Anambra, representing the South East and Abdul Salami Iyaji from Kogi, representing the North Central.”

    The statement continues: “At the time of the recommendation, Musa Katsina Mohammed was the most senior AIG in the Nigeria Police Force but was curiously not recommended.

    “The Commission in its wisdom and satisfying the necessary and relevant requirements approved the recommendations of Sani Usman to take the place of the North East and Ibekwe-Abdallah for the South East.

    “It rejected the recommendation of Iyaji and in his place promoted the most senior AIG, Kastsina Mohammed from the North West.

    “It is instructive to note that all the geo-political zones are currently fully represented in the DIG cadre in the Nigeria Police Force and the remaining vacant slot was ceded to the most senior AIG.

    “It is further instructive to note that the IGP is also from Niger State, and invariably also representing the North Central. No Geopolitical Zone is therefore left out in the promotion

    The Commission also stated that it was under no obligation to wholly approve all recommendations from the IGP for appointments, promotions or discipline.

    “Such powers wholly reside according to the Law with the Police Service Commission. The current Commission is determined to commit itself to the letters of the Constitution and the Act in the discharge of its responsibilities, since it is by so doing that justice and equity will always be done to the entirety of officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

    “It will ensure as earlier stated that all promotions in the Nigeria Police Force from assumption of office of this management are based strictly on merit, seniority, availability of vacancies, even spread and attendance/successful completion of relevant courses.”

    Also reacting, the Nigeria Police Force in a statement by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood said the affected officers have been duly posted as recommended by the Commission.

    Moshood said: “For avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, the IGP had promptly approved the postings of the newly promoted DIGs and AIGs to their duty posts via internal signals released on the 18th October, 2018.

    Giving details of their posting, the Police said: “DIG in charge of  Department of Finance and Administration, Maigari Abbati Dikko; DIG in charge of Department of Operations, Habila Joshak;

    DIG in charge of Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Emmanuel T. Inyang; and DIG in charge of Department of Logistics and Supply, Agboola Oshodi-Glover.

    Others are: “DIG in charge of Department of Research and Planning, Musa Katsina Muhammed, DIG in charge of Department of Training and Development, Mohammed Sani Usman and DIG in charge of Department of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah.”

    The Police urged members of the public to disregard and the publication insinuating that there is tension in Police as a result of the DIGs promotion.

  • Campaign billboards: APC set to confront A’Ibom govt over planned protest

    The fracas between the Akwa Ibom state government and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the alleged destruction of APC campaign billboards took a different dimension on Saturday.

    The APC in the state had risen against the People’s Democratic Party-controlled state government for pulling down campaign billboards of President Muhammadu Buhari and its governorship candidate, Obong(Dr.) Nsima Ekere.

    The state commissioner for environment and mineral resources, Dr. Iniobong Essien and the chairman of Uyo local government area, Mr. Okon Okon were last week arrested and detained by the police following a petition by the APC that its campaign billboards were destroyed by agents of the state government.

    At a press conference on Friday, the State Chairman of the APC National Youth Caucus, Mr. Iniobong John raised the alarm that the state government was planning to organize women in the state to stage a protest against the APC government at the center.

    The APC youth leader said the protest, planned to hold in major streets of the state capital on Saturday, remained one of the many plans by the PDP in the area to intimidate and misrepresent the President and the APC in the area.

    He threatened to stage a counter protest against the Governor Udom Emmanuel PDP government should it go ahead with the protest.

    Read Also: ‘I ‘ll not leave APC despite my loss in primary election’

    The party, therefore, called on security agencies to stop the planned protest as this, according to them, could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the area.

    “We wish to alert the security agencies and the general public of the street protest planned by the Akwa Ibom State government against Mr. President and the APC federal government. The protest is planned to take place tomorrow, Saturday, 20th October, 2018.

    “As we speak, mobilization has been done. Buses to convey PDP goons and thugs across the state have been mobilized. Funds have been disbursed to the different groups and individuals for mobilization. T-shirts and other logistics have been arranged. A meeting is ongoing now at the Government House to fine tune the plans.

    “The protesters are to march from the Ibom Plaza to the government house where the governor is billed to address them. The governor has shown that he is deceitful, unreliable and desperate. Just yesterday, he was summoned to the Presidential Villa to explain his government’s actions against the APC’s billboards in the state. And he apologized and begged for a lifeline from the president.

    “Such mischievous and wicked plots by the state government are capable of triggering crisis, tension and in the extreme case, breakdown of law and order in the state. The failed PDP government must learn to manage its frustrations.” John said.

    He described the plan as undemocratic and called for an issue based campaign adding that the party could be forced to organize a counter protest against the Governor.

    “We insist the governor must campaign based on his scorecard and not on sentiments and campaigns of calumny against Mr. President and the APC federal government.

    “As a people, we don’t deserve this and we never bargained for this. If the state government don’t desist from this mischievous street protest against our president and party, we’ll be left with no other option than to also plan a mass action against the failed, inept, clueless, rudderless and directionless government in the state.

    “This government has failed irredeemably and the people of the state can’t wait for the 2019 election to replace it with a better brand of governance.” he said

  • Don’t politicise lives in Akwa Ibom, youth group cautions 

    The Akwa Ibom Youth League (AYL) has urged federal lawmakers from the state to project a good image.

    The group was reacting to Tuesday’s shouting match in the Senate during an observation by Senator Albert Akpan of an alleged plot to cause mayhem in the state in 2019

    In a statement, the group expressed concern over what it claimed was a move by some senators to suppress what it claimed was the purposeful motion to bring to the centre stage the increasing efforts by some political actors to disrupt the atmosphere of peace that Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration had ushered.

    “For three years, Governor Emmanuel projected a template of peace that has made Akwa Ibom one of the top destinations for Foreign Direct Investments.

    “This was notably absent in the past when insecurity drove investors away from the state.

    “It is in this light that we welcome the initiative of Senator Akpan to draw attention to the growing sense of unease as some political actors who are not happy with the Governor Emmanuel administration plot to distabilise the state as a way of pursuing their election agenda.

    “Such plots we dare say are against the collective interest of the people of Akwa Ibom and urge those who want to turn the state into a killing field to have a rethink. The death of any one person in Akwa Ibom is a reduction in the population of the state and by that reduces the collective esteem of the state.

    “We applaud the Senate leadership for receiving the motion and we dare say, the lives of Akwa Ibom people should not be subjected to political considerations as some senators from the state and their allies sought to do on Tuesday.”