The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • ‘Why Akwa Ibom has power outage’

    ‘Why Akwa Ibom has power outage’

    Akwa Ibom State is experiencing distribution and transmission problems, the Ibom Power Company Limited has said.

    Head of Plant Operations Aniebiet Umoh, said: “Ibom Power Unit 3 has been producing an average of 112 mw every day, there is no reason Akwa Ibom State should be without power supply at any time, if the distribution systems are on.

    “Feeder Details in Akwa Ibom State estimate the total capacity of the three major Injection substations responsible for distribution of electricity at 159mw – Eket (56mw), Uyo (64mw) and Itu (39mw).

    “Recently, the 132kV transmission line from Itu, in Akwa Ibom State to Aba, in Abia State snapped which disconnected the State from the national grid. Ibom power Management pre-empted this occurrence when they installed a Dead bus technology which allows Ibom plant to operate on island mode giving power to Akwa Ibom state independent of the national grid.”

    He explained that on island mode, over 100mw produced by Ibom power plant can be utilised in Akwa Ibom as long as Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) picks the minimum 10mw load requirement for the plant to remain on the mode.

    “When the minimum load was not picked we had to shut down the plant until the line from Itu was reconnected,” Umoh said.

    The Head, PHEDC Integrated Business Centre which covers Eket region, Akanimoh Ekpe, said as a  safety precaution, PHEDC turned-off its system in the region when the Itu – Aba line snapped. He said after taking the necessary precautions when PHEDC was ready to turn on their system, Ibom power was already shut down.

    He said PHEDC was working with Ibom Power and Akwa Ibom State government on distribution network system improvement through the “Power for all” initiative, which includes metering all customers in Akwa Ibom. He added that implementation of the power for all initiative will enhance sustainability of steady power supply across the State.

  • Collapsed church building: Akwa Ibom spends N300m on victims

    Collapsed church building: Akwa Ibom spends N300m on victims

    The Akwa Ibom government says it has spent a total of N300 million as medical bills for victims of the Reigners Bible Church building collapse that occurred December 2016.

    The state Health Commissioner, Dr Dominic Ukpong, disclosed this on Thursday in Uyo while presenting cheques to the proprietors of the various hospitals that assisted in the treatment of the victims.

    The church building collapsed during the bishopric consecration service of the founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks, with Gov. Udom Emmanuel in attendance.

    Ukpong said that a total of 168 victims were evacuated from the scene of the unfortunate incident out of which 30 worshipers had been confirmed death at the last count.

    “On Dec. 10, 2016, a tragedy befell this state, a clergyman was about to be ordained as a bishop, unfortunately the roof of the church caved in.

    “The state governor, who was in attendance, escaped unhurt while 18 persons were crushed to death on the spot.

    “Many injured people were moved to hospitals, majority of the injured were moved by kindhearted Nigerians; we had mobilised only four ambulances, we want to say thank you all Nigerians.

    “I want to give credit to all Nigerians, I express my gratitude to you all on behalf the state governor, for standing with us at that moment of grief,” Ukpong said.

    Ukpong said that a total of 14 hospitals were involved in the treatment and care of the victims, most of which were private hospitals.

    The commissioner said that the state governor was impressed with the different hospitals that heeded his plea to treat the victims without any payment.

    Ukpong said that the church collapse incident happened at the time the state was financially hard up.

    “Thank you for being patient with the state government, standing with the state government at that critical time.

    “The oath of medical practice requires that we make sacrifice, I thank you for the extra sacrifice you made at the time this state faced one of its greatest challenges,” Ukpong said.

    Responding on behalf of the hospitals that received the cheques, the Medical Director of Uwakmfon Clinic, Uyo, Dr Emmanuel Effiong, thanked the state government for paying the bills.

    Effiong said that the proprietors of the private hospitals were willing to cooperate with the government and save lives in the state.

    “We thank the Health Commissioner for keeping faith with the private hospitals by the bills incurred during the church collapse incident,” Effiong said.

    In his remark, the proprietor of Resurrection Clinic, Uyo, Dr Memfin Ekpo, a professor of Pathology, noted that the number of medical specialists in the state was too small.

    Ekpo, who is the former provost, College of Health Science, University of Uyo, thanked the state government for paying the medical bills for the victims of the church collapse.

    NAN

  • DPR seals 15 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

    DPR seals 15 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

     

    The Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR ) in Akwa Ibom state has sealed 15 petrol stations for diverting and selling Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) above the government approved pump price of  N145 per litre.

    The Operations Controller of DPR (Eket field), Mr Tamunoiminabo Kingsley-Sundaye disclosed this to reporters yesterday after surveillance operations by the department across major towns.

    He said that DPR sealed the filling stations last week across locations such as Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Uyo.
    He alleged that many filling stations after getting the products from Calabar depot take the same to non-existing stations in remote areas.

    Kingsley-Sundaye said that any filling station found guilty of diversion would pay a fine of N6 million to government purse or pay N200 per litre of the quantity of product loaded from the depot.

    The DPR boss decried that some marketers take their products to far remote areas, where such stations had been abandoned for a long time.

    He said that DPR had written to depot at Calabar to stop releasing products to non-existing and abandoned filling stations in the state.

    Read Also:  DPR  slams CDHR for alleged impersonation

    “We have challenged all filling stations in the state to produce evidence that they are in full operation within 48 hours, while anyone that default will be blacklisted from the depot list,” he said.

    He however warned depot owners not to sell petroleum products above ex-depot price to marketers in the state.

    He appealed to Marketers not to dispense petroleum products above government approved pump price to the public.

    Kingsley-Sundaye said the department had begun intensive monitoring of stations to ensure that they reversed their pumps to dispense petrol at N145 per litre.

    He said that any marketer, who contravened government price regime would be sanctioned appropriately by the department.

     

  • Police officers dismissed in Akwa Ibom for cultism

    Police officers dismissed in Akwa Ibom for cultism

    Two officers serving with Akwa Ibom Police Command have

    been dismissed for aiding and abetting cultism, Commissioner Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi has said.

    He told House of Assembly Speaker Mr. Onofiok Luke yesterday in Uyo that the act led to insecurity.

    Although the CP did not mention the names of the officers, he said the command intends to prosecute them with the suspected cultists.

    He urged the assembly to review the anti-cultism law, to make provision for stiffer penalties for those engaging in cultism.

    Ogunjemilusi said the command would not condone cultism, no matter who was involved.

    He enjoined the legislature to assist the police in tackling crimes.

    The police boss warned those using vehicles without number plates or those covering them to desist, “as we will clamp down on them.”

    He appealed to lawmakers and government officials to cooperate with the police.

    Ogunjemilusi demanded the building of three newly-approved area command

    headquarters in Eket, Etim Ekpo and Itu/Ibiono Ibom local governments

    and provision of patrol vehicles, gun boats, communication gadgets and equipment.

    Onofiok hailed the police commissioner for his quick response to security issues and community policing.

    He condemned rise in cultism, saying anyone caught, no matter how highly placed, should be prosecuted.

  • Cultism: Police dismiss two officers in A’Ibom

    Cultism: Police dismiss two officers in A’Ibom

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has dismissed two of its officers over alleged aiding and abetting of cultism in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiok Luke, in Uyo on Tuesday.

    Ogunjemilusi disclosed that the dismissed officers would be prosecuted with other arrested suspected cultists.

    He called on the State House of Assembly to impose stiffer penalties on cultism in Akwa Ibom, by reviewing the relevant laws.

    He also appealed to the lawmakers to support the police in ending criminal activities, under the guise of cultism.

    “We have caught two police officers, we have dismissed them and we are prosecuting them.

    “The Akwa Ibom Police command under my leadership is resolute to dismantle cultism and contain its spread in the state.

    “We are determined to confront violent crimes headlong, put an end to senseless killings amongst our youths and stamp out criminality in all forms.

    “I would like to call on this honourable house to review the state law against cultism, imposed stiffer penalties and create special programmes to reform the youths,’’ he said.

    He said the command would soon begin a clamp down on vehicles without number plates.

    He requested for the provision of patrol vehicles, gun boats, communication gadgets and equipment to aid police investigations.

    He said, “I am particularly concerned with the level of development of our youths with negative impact on peace and security.

    “The youths represent the future and this great assembly cannot afford to stand aloof and watch the youths waste away.

    “You can stand with the Nigeria Police, to bring an end to criminal activities under the guise of cultism.

    “Non use of number plates or covering of number plates are unlawful. They facilitate crimes and hinder investigations.

    “I therefore plead for the cooperation of all honourable members and government officials to ensure that their number plates are in place.

    “The command will start to impound all vehicles without number plates.”

    In his response, the Speaker commended the Police Commissioner for his quick response to security issues and community policing in the state.

    He condemned the rise of cultism in the state and said anyone caught, no matter how highly placed, should be prosecuted.

    “We are here to work for the peace, security, and lives of the Akwa Ibom people.

    “We can achieve that through good governance, and our responsibility here is to legislate for the peace, order and security of  lives and properties.

    “We will not act in any way that will hinder you from achieving that core mandate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act.

    “We share with you the concern on the rise of cultism in the state. We condemn it in its totality,’’ Luke said.

    NAN

     

  • Immigration promotes 156 officers in Akwa Ibom

    Immigration promotes 156 officers in Akwa Ibom

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted 156 officers in the Akwa Ibom command of the service, The News men reports that the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSI Ibishia Jaja, was among the officers promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Immigration.

    Decorating the promoted officers with their new ranks on Tuesday in Uyo, Comptroller of Immigration in the state command, CIS Livingstone Amadi, advised the newly elevated officers to be more dedicated to service.

    Amadi said promotion in service should be seen as motivation to achieve efficient service delivery and high productivity.

    “All officers elevated should stand out in the discharge of their duties; the promotion calls for dedication and more commitment to service,” he said.

    The comptroller noted that promotion comes with more expectation, advising the officers to show hard work and discipline in the discharge of their routine services.

    Read Also:  Four suspected smugglers held in  Akwa Ibom

    He urged them to thank God for the elevation and also appreciate the Nigeria Immigration Service by being diligent in the discharge of their services.

    Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, DCI Festus Korie, said they were elated, promising that they would reciprocate the gesture.

    He gave the assurance that the newly promoted officers would live up to expectation and discharge their responsibilities meticulously.

    Korie thanked God for his benevolence and also the Ministry of Interior for finding them fit for promotion in the service.

    NAN

  • Four suspected smugglers held in Akwa Ibom

    The Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Akwa Ibom State has arrested four suspected smugglers. It seized boats and outboard engines used in illegal bunkering and smuggling of goods into Nigeria.

    The Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Yusuf Idris, spoke to reporters yesterday.

    Idris added that on Saturday his men seized 62 drums of automotive gas oil, which were being moved in a wooden boat from Rivers into Akwa Ibom waterway, about 5:30 am.

    According to him, four suspected hoodlums; Nsidebe Monday, 26; David Etim, 31; Oto Bassey, 29, and Benjamin Abia, 40, were apprehended for the illegal bunkering of AGO.

    The commanding officer said the Navy would not relent till the waterways were  rid of criminals.

    He added that his operating base has continued to  live up to expectation by the arrests and seizures its officers  made in one week.

    “If you can remember, on Tuesday and Friday, we handed over smuggled bags of rice to the Nigerian Customs Service.

    “And during that handling over, I made a promise that the Nigerian Navy under the present leadership will not relent till our waterway is rid of all illegality.

    “I’m sure we have lived up to our promise because this week alone, we had made three arrests.  We will continue to make more arrests and seizure as long as the  criminals are not willing to stop their illegal activities,” he said.

    He said that the operating base on Friday seized 271 bags of illegally imported rice from Cameroon during a routine sea patrol at Parrot Island in Mbo LGA, about 5:30 am.

    The commander handed over the products and the suspects to the Comptroller, Eastern Marine Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Ajiya Masaya and to the Divisional Officer in charge of Mbo Division, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr James Udeme.

    Idris assured Nigerians that the Navy would follow up the matter until justice is done.

    He said: “I urge you to please take these products and make sure that you follow up for further investigation and possibly prosecution as the Nigerian Navy after handing over will continue to follow up all the cases.

    “We will follow up not only this one that we have handed over to you but also those handed iver to other agencies.

    “We will continue to follow up to ensure that justice is done to the Nigerian state so that the country will get to the level of the economic prosperity which she is destined to have.”

    Mr Majiya Masaya, of the Nigeria Customs Service  thanked the Navy for cooperating with the Customs to curb smuggling.

    He appealed to Nigerians to help expose smugglers by giving information to security agencies.

    “Precisely four days ago, we were here to take delivery of 759 bags of rice recovered from smugglers. Now we have taken delivery of another 271 bags of rice.

    “We have often said that curbing smuggling is not always the duty of customs alone; our sister security agencies can also help us.

    “Stop smuggling, engage in legitimate business; if you don’t know it, approach any customs formation, it is our own duty to educate you.

    “We have what is called trade facilitation. Come to our office, we will advise you on what to import and what not to import,” he said.

    One of the suspects, Nsidebe Monday, told reporters that  they arrived Akwa Ibom from Ifoko in Rivers, where they bought the product at N7,000 per drum.

    He said on their way back to Calabar, the Navy in Akwa Ibom arrested them.

  • Akwa Ibom tasks Libyan returnees 

    Akwa Ibom tasks Libyan returnees 

    Akwa Ibom Government on Friday charged the returnees from Libya to put behind their ugly experiences and integrate into the system.

    The Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, gave the charge in Uyo while dispatching the 10 returnees to their different local government areas.

    Ekpo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s office, Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, urged the them to find ways of making meaningful living for themselves and contribute to the development of the state.

    Our news reporter reports that the 10 returnees were among those rescued by the Federal Government last month.

    According to him, the event represents one of the last stages of their full re-integration into society, which began with their reception at Port Harcourt international airport on Jan. 9, and Jan. 16.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom  warns against project disruption

    He told them,  the state had more job prospects and business opportunities for people who were willing to use their creative talents positively.

    “It is morally depressing for young people to embark on misadventure to foreign lands whose economic fortunes are worse than our nation.’’

    The deputy governor urged public-spirited individuals to assist them to settle down by offering them some economic empowerment facilities.

    He said, the returnees had successfully undergone through the process of de-briefing, screening and profiling as well as medical treatment, courtesy of the state government.

    He added, some indigenes of the state had also presented them with relief materials and other essential items.

    Ekpo added, a seamstress among them was presented with a sewing machine, while the sick ones were still receiving still receiving medical attention in the hospital.

    NAN

  • Akwa Ibom appeals ruling

    Akwa Ibom appeals ruling

    Akwa Ibom State government has appealed the judgment of the High Court of Etinan Division, asking it to pay damages to 6,000 students of defunct College of Agriculture, Obio Okpa.

    The students were denied certificates after graduation, following a law by the House of Assembly, which proscribed the college.

    The incident occurred during the ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio administration.

    In a judgment by Justice Pius Odiong in December, the court ordered the government to pay N1 million and N500,000 to HND and ND graduates.

    It ruled in favour of the students, directing the government to pay for the wasted years and losses incurred.

    However, the government, in an appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Calabar, Cross River State, through Justice Bassey J. Ekanem, is seeking an order to set aside the judgment.

    Justice Odiong held that “as duly admitted students of the now defunct Akwa Ibom State College of Agriculture, Obio Akpa, who paid school fees and other sundry fees up to date; attended lectures; wrote and passed examinations and fulfilled the prescribed conditions for graduation, the plaintiffs, as of right, were entitled to be awarded their certificates at the National and Higher National Diploma levels.”

    The government, in its five grounds of appeal, argued that the four appellants were not vested with the responsibility of issuing any certificate to the respondents.

    “The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Commissioner for Agriculture, Commissioner for Education and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, none of the appellants were vested with the responsibility of issuing any certificate to the respondents. The college being a corporate person was vested with such responsibility.

    “The college being a corporate body with perpetual succession had a legal personality of its own and was responsible for any of its action or inaction. It had its own life and any decision taken by the college was not directed by any of the defendants.”

    Counsel to the respondents Ada Okonkwo filed a cross appeal, asking the Court of Appeal, Calabar, to increase the award of damages to N5 million for HND graduates and N2.5 million for ND graduates, as against N1 million and N500,000, which she said was inadequate to meet the losses incurred by the students.

  • Akwa Ibom warns against project disruption

    Akwa Ibom warns against project disruption

    Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has warned youths against disrupting road projects in the state.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Dominic Ukpong, conveyed the governor’s warning while speaking with newsmen in Eket yesterday.

    He said theconstruction of the Eket-Etinan road was going at slow pace because of demands for payment of compensation by owners of houses in the area.

    “The governor has requested me to plead with my people in Oron and other people in Eket to desist from disrupting road construction in the area. There are a lot of issues about compensation. I think it can be resolved without problem by sitting with the commissioner for works to come to an agreement without any rancour,” he said.

    He appealed to the people of Okon and Eket to allow the Eket-Etinan road to be completed.

    “The people obstructed the work and till now the work is not moving.  I want to plead, especially with my people in Okon, the road from Eket to Etinan should be allowed to be completed. I do not know another governor who will come and complete that road, if the current governor does not complete it for us,’’ he said.

    The commissioner described Eket as a special area of Akwa Ibom, saying “if there is any difficulty and challenge about road, don’t block it because if we leave it, nobody will construct it for us.’’