The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • 20 feared killed in renewed hostilities in Cross River, Akwa Ibom

    At least 20 persons are feared killed in a renewed communal clash between the people of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani Local government of Cross River State and their neighbours of Oku Iboku in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday.

    According to a source, a total of 12 bodies were recovered on Friday and nine yesterday from the Calabar River, a common fishing ground of both communities.

    The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo confirmed the clash but could not ascertain the exact number of casualties.

    The source said the victims in the clash were mainly women and fishermen in Oku Iboku.

    Ugbo said, “Yes we are away of the problem but it is not true that 20 people were killed. As at yesterday we got information that they are trying to gather up again as they community people have another problem. As you know our men are already on ground because since the problem started we have not left that place, we have been on ground.

    “Our men are there, we are trying to make sure the situation is calm. As for now no death person has been confirmed. I think the area is calm because immediately, the commissioner of Police sent policemen there.”

    “I can’t tell you how many bodies have been brought but it is not up to that number. I can’t tell you of any number right now because the Area Commander of that area has sent his men out and when I called him this afternoon I asked him, he said he does not know yet that I should wait let him give me the confirmation so I am still waiting.”

  • Police rescue two kidnapped Turkish nationals in Akwa Ibom

    •Whereabouts of abducted polytechnic founder remain unknown

    Akwa Ibom State Police Command yesterday said it had rescued the two Turkish Nationals abducted by unknown gunmen in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

    The two expatriates, who worked with a construction firm, VKS Nigeria Construction Limited, were abducted at their hotel in Eket on Sunday, April 9.

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Don Awunah, confirmed the release of the expatriates to newsmen during a briefing at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the state capital. Awunah said five suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnap of the two Turkish nationals.

    The rescue of the expatriates, CP Awunah said, was through the deployment of technical platform and skillful professional negotiation. He said: “The two kidnapped Turkish Nationals were kidnapped and taken to the creeks of Calabar/Oron waterways. Undoubtedly, kidnap for ransom threatened Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Akwa Ibom state.

    “Following sustained Police activities in the waterways, deployment of technical platform, cultivation of actionable intelligence and skillful professional negotiation, the two Turkish gentlemen were released on April 19, 2017. “The victims of crime have been reunited with their colleagues after medical assessment. Five suspects have been arrested and further investigation is ongoing.”

    On the abduction of the proprietor of Sure Polytechnic, Dr Idongesit Udom, the police boss said the command was still on it. CP Awunah said: “On the kidnap of the Sure Polytechnic Proprietor in Ukanafun Local Government Area, we are on it. In any scenario of a case of kidnap for ransom, our primary objective is that we rescue or release the person before we now go after the criminals. “Of course, they (kidnappers) made all kinds of outrageous demand. We can assure you that soon or later he will be release like others.”

    On the murder of Ukanafun Local Government Secretary, Mr. Ime Atakpa, the police boss said the command would unravel those behind the dastardly act. His words: “I was at the scene of crime with the governor of the state. We have put in place special team on special assignment to unravel the circumstance surrounding the murder. Not only that, we are also working on community intelligence.

  • Abductors of Turkish expatriates in A/Ibom demand N200m

    Abductors of two Turkish expatriates in Akwa Ibom have demanded N200 million to release them.

    The victims were abducted on April 10 from their Airstrip Hotel room in Eket Local Government Area of the state.

    A security source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket that the abductors had been in touch with the BKS Construction Company in Onna Local Government Area where the expatriates work.

    He said that the abductors contacted the construction company and demanded N200 million as ransom to release them.

    “The abductors have demanded the sum of N200 million before the victims could be released to the company.

    “The company is negotiating with the abductors to secure the release of the victims,” the source said.

    According to the source, the firm is offering N500,000.

    The State Police Public Relations (PPRO), ASP Chilly Ikechukwu, said the police were not aware of the ransom.

  • Four gunmen kill newly sworn-in LG Secretary

    Four unidentified gunmen have killed the newly sworn-in Ukanafun Local Government Council Secretary in Akwa Ibom, Mr Ime Atakpa.

    Atakpa was shot when he was in his farm in his backyard at Ukanafun on Sunday.

    His wife, Imo, who confirmed this to newsmen, said they went to Ukanafun for Easter service.

    She said prior to the church’s service they decided to check on some pigs in the farm.

    While she and the children were in the house, she heard gunshots.

    When she tried to find where the sound of the gunfire emanated, she saw four masked men walking away from the compound.

    The Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, also confirmed the incident.

    Okechukwu said four gunmen shot the late council secretary in the stomach.

    He added that he died on the way to hospital.

    “The man was in his farm in Ukanafun LGA when four unidentified gunmen shot him,” he said.

     

  • Gunmen kill council secretary in Akwa Ibom

    The Transition Secretary of Ukanafun in Ukanafun Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ime Atakpa, has been reportedly shot dead by gunmen.

    Sources close to the family said Atakpa was taken to hospital after being shot, but died on the way.

    The Nation learnt he was trailed to his poultry farm at Awonguyo in Ukanafun.

    Police spokesman Chukwu Ikechukwu said investigation was on.

    Last night, the reason for the killing was sketchy, but people believed it was political.

    Robberies, cult clashes, kidnappings and political killings are rampant in the local government.

    Last Sunday, Dr. Idongesit Udom, an ex-Exxon Mobil worker from Idung Nneke village, who is also the proprietor of ‘Sure Foundation Polytechnic’, was kidnapped by gunmen. He is yet to be  freed.

    Investigation showed his abductors were demanding a huge amount.

    A source close to Udom’s family, who preferred anonymity, said the kidnappers wanted N500million ransom.

  • Rainstorm wreaks havoc in four Akwa Ibom communities

    Rainstorm which occurred on Wednesday evening has destroyed property worth million of Naira in four communities in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

    Properties destroyed include, roof of the Ibesikpo Asutan local government legislative building, telecommunications mast, fence of the local government secretariat and about 40 shops at Nung Udoe main market among others.

    The Chairman traders association in Ibesikpo Asutan, Mr Jude Edet, said on Thursday that 75 traders were dislodged by the disaster.

    “We have lost so much to Wednesday’s night rain.

    “As at Thursday, by our inventory 75 shops were destroyed. If we want to estimate our lost, it is in millions.

    Edet said the traders are willing to pay if government will constructs a modern market facility for them and appealed to the government to provide aid to the affected traders.

    The Divisional Crime Officer in the local government, Dorathy Umoh, said the disaster posed a security threat to the local government secretariat.

    “The council is not safe. We don’t have enough security men. I have directed that some of the security men in the out-station be withdrawn to assist in beefing security at the council.

    “We call on government to come to the aid of the council,” he said.

    The chairman Ibesikpo Asutan transition committee, Mr Ilana Udofia, while inspecting affected facilities at the council and the market said destruction caused by the storm were beyond the capacity of the local government.

    “The level of destruction here runs into hundreds of million. So it is beyond our capacity.

    “Some people were injured, this is a sad period.

    “It is not just the market, private homes in other communities were affected. We have never witnessed this in the history of this local government,” he said.

    Udofia said the council would liaise with the relevant State agencies to get aid for the victims.

    The chairman commiserated with traders and indigenes of the local government affected by the incident.

    Udofia appealed to the State government to come in and give the victims relief assistance in this difficult time.

    One of the timber dealers, Usoro Usoro said 11 shops were affected at the timber market.

    Some of the traders Emmanuel Ekpo and Idongesit Nyong called on the government to come to their aid.

    They said, On Okpobo street, Nung Udoe, electric poles fell by the storm destroyed some houses.

    He said some victims of the disaster were taking refuge at a church, Christian Fellowship, Okpob, Nung Udoe.

    At Brotherhood Secondary School, Ikot Ide Akpakpan, where the storm destroyed three classroom blocks, the principal, Mrs Comfort Ime Ekpo said, “When school resumes in May, there will be no place for the students to stay.”

    She said one of the classroom blocks destroyed was a PTA project and was roofed just a week ago.

  • Emmanuel: Charting a cause of unity for Akwa Ibom

    Recently, Governor Udom Emmanuel fulfilled yet another electioneering promise to the people of Akwa Ibom State when he hosted past governors and deputy governors in the state at government house in Uyo. Those in attendance were the second elected governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah; his deputies Obong Chris Ekpenyong and Sir Michael Udofia and the immediate past deputy governor Noble Lady Valerie Obot, as well as the first elected deputy governor, Sir Etim Okpoyo. For Obong Victor Attah, it was a return to government house publicly for the first time, 10 years after he left office, a memorable experience for a man who once superintended the state for eight uninterrupted years.

    For Governor Emmanuel, it was a victory for his sincerity and steadfastness in providing a melting point for all stakeholders to share in the task of repositioning the state for greater days. The governor, it could be noted, came into power with a five point agenda of which economic and political inclusion stood out.

    In less than two years as the Chief Executive of the state, he has redefined leadership to the admiration of all and sundry by throwing open the doors to the government house for all Akwa Ibom people irrespective of political affiliations. For the entire world, this is a study of politics without bitterness, politics of sportsmanship, politics of no winner no vanquish, the philosophy of Governor Emmanuel, where the interest of the people form the fulcrum of leadership.

    Earlier this year, the governor had played host to Engr. Ben Ukpong, the former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he congratulated him on his emergence as a commissioner in the National Population Commission.

    The recent meeting may not come as a surprise to many considering that they are senior citizens on one hand and secondly, Emmanuel has shown character and sincerity in his unity agenda for the state. This was noticed during the visit of Mr Umana Okon Umana his former opponent and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 general elections. It was an opportunity for the governor who introduced his vision to explore and harness the rich coastal heritage of the state, by developing the Ibom deep seaport, industrial city and jetty projects, to enhance marine transportation in the state. This prompted Mr Umana, Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Trade Zone to agree to partner the state government to actualize some of these visions.

    Even the most ardent political philosophers have been stunned by the governor’s enterprising team spirit, as they had perhaps thought that the governor will keep all perceived political opponents at bay especially considering the dogged fight they had put up in respect of the coveted seat.  Malice could be obtained from any other leader, but not Governor Emmanuel who has shown magnanimity in victory and clearly demonstrated a willingness to provide a pedestal for the cross fertilization of ideas from all and sundry.

    Apart from meetings with different stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project, he has also demonstrated his belief in political inclusiveness by way of project execution in the state. Today there is no section of the state that has not been visited with life-touching projects, irrespective of their stance in the last general elections. His administration has also taken it upon itself to complete some projects that could not be completed by past administrations in the state.

    For instance, the 10th anniversary hotel project initiated by the administration of late Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi in 1997, had since been completed and now serves as the State Secretariat Annex. Similarly,  the popular Etebi-Enwang Road connecting Mbo with Esit Eket local government, and the Uyo –Ikot Ekpene road initiated by the immediate past administration of Obong Godswill Akpabio in addition to many other projects which are receiving maximum attention from the government. His concern is how to develop the state quickly and this cannot be done in isolation of key stakeholders across the state. In treating the business of government as a continuum, Governor Emmanuel thinks of the benefits that would come to generations of Akwa Ibom young people, as opposed to political gladiators who are most concerned about the next elections. It is not of Emmanuel’s concern who takes the credit, as long as the programmes or projects are in line with his avowed pledge to provide wealth, jobs and alleviate poverty. He has stepped further to throw open his doors to run an all-inclusive governance, in line with his Dakkada philosophy that everyone should rise above all elements of divisiveness such as ethnicity, politics, gender, and other forms of human and natural impediments.

    Social commentators who have been observing the current trend in the leadership of the state, have variously admitted that this will go a long way to closing unnecessary cracks in the unity of all sections of the state. First, supporters of each of the past leader will now be encouraged by the smooth communication and will have little or no option than to also jump into the large and comfortable umbrella of unity in the state.

    Getting closer to the seat of authority also enables the former leaders as opinion moulders, the access to first-hand information on the progress and developments currently being witnessed in the state under the Udom  Emmanuel-led administration. With the bridging of the communication lacuna, it is also easy for their undiluted suggestions to get to the ears of the listening governor, which cements their positions as active stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project. This also places on them the responsibility of suing for peace from everyone in the state, and clamouring support for the present government to succeed.

    It is common scene nowadays to see the governor embracing and exchanging pleasantries with all his indigenous predecessors at government functions in the state, be it the recent burial of the Oku Ibom Ibibio 111, the Pan Niger Delta Forum assemblage in Uyo, or other states functions at the state government house. It is not difficult to induce from the expressions on the faces of theses political stakeholders that Akwa Ibom is in for better days as the synergy between the past and the present signals a converged for a better, united Akwa Ibom envisaged over a century ago by our forebears.

    Indeed, Governor Udom Emmanual is leaving no stone unturned in fulfilling his promises to the people. He has kept faith in the area of infrastructure consolidation and expansion, as well as economic and political inclusion.

     

    • Ndueso writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

  • Police confirm abduction of two Turkish Construction workers in Akwa Ibom

    The Police in Akwa Ibom says two Turkish construction workers were expatriates abducted by gunmen in their hotel rooms at Eket, Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom on Sunday.

    Mr Chukwu Okechukwu, an ASP, and public relations officer of the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Monday that the Turkish nationals worked for BKS Construction Company in Onna Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that they were seized at Airstrip Hotel in Eket by the gunmen.

    “ The state police command is working tirelessly to rescue the expatriates. The Commissioner of police has mobilised the anti-kidnapping unit and a special anti-crime unit to ensure that they are freed unhurt,” he said.

    The police spokesman said at the time of their abduction, their identities, nationalities and work place were unknown.

    He said no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and no ransom demand made.

  • Akwa Ibom, OPS chart course for MSMEs

    Akwa Ibom, OPS chart course for MSMEs

    The Akwa Ibom State Government and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have met on the way forward for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    At a National Enterprise Development Workshop in Lagos, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel said most countries transformed their economies by prioritising the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs), saying that Nigeria should support and provide a conducive environment for MSMEs to thrive.

    The workshop organised by Hudson Group and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) was co-sponsored by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

    Emmanuel, represented by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said opportunities were numerous for MSMEs to use. He added that in the last 10 years, the Akwa Ibom State government has invested a lot in infrastructural development and security, and made the environment conducive for investment.

    “The Akwa Ibom State government is committed to providing the enabling environment across different sectors of the economy.

    “Our MSME operations are youth-based, because we know the youths are the future of the world and what we have done is to empower the younger generation by equipping them with the requisite knowledge and skills to run their own businesses,” Udoh said.

    He cited the Akwa Ibom Enterprises and Employment Scheme (AKEES) tailored towards empowering youths. According to him, the state has trained over 4,000 youths  to stand on their own.

    His words: “I am here to showcase the state’s investment and tourism opportunities. In the last two years, Akwa Ibom has been driving these two sectors because we know we have the massive infrastructure that tourist could utilise and we also know the state’s revenue is predominantly oil-based.”

    Udoh pointed out that with the price of oil dwindling, the state government thought of the urgent need to diversify the state’s revenue base to other revenue-yielding opportunities.

    “We have been diversifying our state’s revenue base through agriculture, industrialisation, man power development and the likes. This is just one opportunity that we are trying to use to sell the potentials we have in Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.

    At the event, the Director-General, Small &Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, said the number of persons employed by the MSMEs’ sub-sector as at December, 2013, stood at 59,741,211, representing 84.02 per cent of the total labour force.

    Underscoring the importance of the sector, he stressed that MSMEs’ contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in nominal terms stood at 48.47 per cent as at the period under review, while its export contribution accounted for 7.27 per cent.

    On the agency’s activities, Radda said it is involved in designing programmes and projects, creating the appropriate platforms and partnerships for addressing some known constraints of MSMEs.

    He, however, advised that to properly position and develop this all-important sub-sector, all the challenges militating against its optimal performance must be deliberately confronted.

    He said: “Though, MSMEs in Nigeria are still largely informal in nature, they have contributed immensely to the national economy. Several common but limiting factors have however constrained them over the years.

    “These include poor access to useable funds, capital, difficulties in procuring raw materials, lack of access to relevant business information, difficulties in marketing and distribution of products.”

    Radda, represented by the Director of Enterprise, Mr. Wale Fasanya,  listed   low  technological capabilities, high cost of transportation, and communication as problems caused by cumbersome and costly bureaucracy in getting necessary approvals or licences and policies and regulations that generate market distortions among the major draw backs.

    The SMEDAN chief noted that in the face of the economic recession, MSMEs were expected to serve as catalyst for reversing the downslide.

    “This expectation is certainly not misplaced, but would have been more justifiable if an enabling environment can be provided for each of the over 37 million MSMEs,” he added.

    Also speaking, Director, Hudson Group, Mr. Tom Iseghohi, said the event was organised as an event between the Federal Government and the private sector, because the MSME sector remained the engine room of most economies including Nigeria.

    He maintained that MSMEs already provide 70 per cent of the jobs and 80 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. Iseghohi, however, said the sector was faced with lots of obstacles. “This event would go a long way to chart the way forward to address these challenges.

    “We have brought together the best private sector minds and some Federal Government minds from the state level, international bodies to brainstorm and deploy the strategy that would lead to the sector’s growth.

    “This sector will have massive impact on employment, GDP, exchange rate and the likes,” he said, adding that the main problem SMEs have is lack of access to technical capacity, funding and markets.

  • A’Ibom acquires hectares of land for civil servant’s housing scheme

    The Akwa Ibom Government has acquired 300 hectares of land to establish a housing estate for civil servants in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Mr Ime Ekpo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday.

    Ekpo said that the project would ensure that civil servants in the state have their own houses before retirement.

    He recalled that in 1991 the state government established a housing estate in Anua Ikot Okpon and Mbiabong villages in Uyo Local Government Area for civil servants.

    “We have acquired about 300 hectares of land in Uruan Local Government Area to build an estate for our civil servants.

    “In 1991, estates were opened in Uyo and most of the allocations went to civil servants on concessional basis.

    “Every month something was deducted from their salaries to pay for the houses. Most civil servants in the state benefitted from it,” Ekpo said.

    The commissioner added that government had concluded arrangement to build access roads to communities in Uyo, the state capital, before any sale of land in the city begins.

    According to him, the access roads would help in maintaining the original master plan of the state capital.

    Ekpo added that the state government would also collaborate with the private sector in the provision and development of recreational facilities.