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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • NAFDAC arrests suspects for producing unwholesome bread in Akwa Ibom

    A syndicate of four persons suspected to be specialists in producing unwholesome bread have been arrested by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Akwa Ibom.

    According to Mr Collins Ogedegbe, the Head of NAFDAC in Akwa Ibom, who led the inspection team, the suspects were arrested at Ekpemiong Itak community in Ikono local Government of the state on Wednesday.

    He said the team worked with the Police to expose the syndicate, adding that cases of production of unwholesome bread with pirated products were rampant in the state.

    “Although the prime suspect, simply identified as Emeka is on the run, no fewer than four persons were arrested when the Police stormed the factory at Ekpemiong Itak community,” Ogedegbe said.

    He said NAFDAC officials sealed the facility, carted away hundreds of fake bread, including fake wrappers and labels of other quality bread in the area.

    Ogedegbe said the syndicate had been using wrappers and labels of other quality bread as cover to sell unwholesome bread.

    He said that the agency would stop at nothing to ensure the enforcement of quality control regime on food products in the state.

    He said that investigation had begun to ascertain whether the company’s  operations complied with the regulatory demands of the agency.

    “We are going to check for the company’s name in our documents whether it has been registered; whether it conformed to the regulatory framework or not.

    “Necessary penalties would be slammed on the suspects, If found guilty at the end of investigation,” he said.

    The Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ikot Ekpene, Mr A.S. Bello, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations.

    He appealed to the civil society to complement the services of the Police in the task of riding the society of fraudsters and criminal elements.

    He said that Nigerians could help the Police in uncovering activities of criminals and suspicious characters in their neighbourhood by volunteering useful information.

     

  • Akwa Ibom to develop database for kerosene dealers

    Akwa Ibom to develop database for kerosene dealers

    The Akwa Ibom State Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee will develop a database for kerosene surface tank dealers, to trace sources of adulterated kerosene, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Petroleum Matters Obong Essien Esema has said.
    He spoke in Uyo at a sensitisation meeting of stakeholders on kerosene fire incidents.
    Esema, the chairman of the committee, said accreditation of surface tank dealers would identify sources of contaminated products in cases of explosion.
    “In areas where there are reported cases of kerosene adulteration or explosion, we will ensure the sale of kerosene is stopped.
    “We will ensure petroleum storage tanks, receptacles and transporting trucks are properly colour-coded,” he said.
    The governor’s aide directed dealers to paint their receptacles blue with white stripes in the middle of the tanks, to indicate they are dealers.
    He said non-compliance would result in prosecution.
    Esema, who lamented that in the last one year, 48 cases of kerosene explosions were reported, said dealers would undergo mentoring programme.
    He said the programme would require them to operate under the supervision of an independent or major marketer, to ensure quality products supply.
    Esema said the process would expose the dealers to safety measures required to make the products usage safe.
    He advised kerosene consumers not to refill their lanterns or stoves while the devices are hot.
    “It is advisable to fill a kerosene lantern and stove outdoors, using a fill spout. Kerosene should be stored away from heat or ignition sources.”
    Speaking on behalf of the dealers, Mrs. Lucy Eyo thanked the committee for organising the meeting.
    She said the dealers would cooperate with the government to curb kerosene explosion.
    Eyo said dealers would comply with safety measures and appealed for regular supply of kerosene through authorised sources.
    She said no dealer would patronise unknown sources if the product was available through authorised channels.

  • FESTAC 77 @ 40: CBAAC boss seeks active participation of Nigerians

    FESTAC 77 @ 40: CBAAC boss seeks active participation of Nigerians

    Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) on Monday,called on Nigerians to ensure full participation in celebration of FESTAC 77 at 40.

    He made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, adding that this was to ensure that Nigerian cultural heritage was celebrated and promoted beyond the shores of the country.

    Anikwe who noted the complacency of some Nigerians towards most cultural programmes, said this should serve as a wakeup call to all citizens within and outside the country.

    ” I want us all to erase that thinking pattern and assumption that the celebration is bringing back the fetish nature of Nigerians.

    ” This is outrightly wrong and I believe everything that has to do with FESTAC 77 is an exhibition of our rich cultural heritage which we must celebrate this year,” he said.

    Anikwe said that the event would hold in over ten states including the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where the Mascot would be unveiled by April 1.

    He said that different cultural displays would be held in some states including Katsina, Enugu, Ogun, Kaduna, Akwa- Ibom and some foreign countries.

    ” The celebration would be all through the year and it promises to be eventful and memorable.

    ” We are going to have Durbar display in Katsina , there will be masquerade festivals in Enugu and some other cultural activities in other parts of the country,” he said.

    Anikwe said that if Nigerian cultural heritage was well celebrated, promoted and properly harnessed, it could be a money spinner for individuals and the country.

  • Akwa Ibom to develop database for Kerosene dealers

    Akwa Ibom to develop database for Kerosene dealers

    The Akwa Ibom Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee says it will develop a database for all kerosene surface tank dealers in order trace sources of adulterated kerosene in the state.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Petroleum Matters, Obong Essien Esema, made the disclosure on Monday in Uyo at a sensitization meeting of stakeholders on Kerosene fire incidents.

    Esema, who is the chairman of the committee, explained that accreditation of surface tank dealers would help identify sources of contaminated products in cases of explosion.

    “In areas where there are reported cases of kerosene adulteration or explosion in the state, we will ensure that the sale of kerosene is stopped immediately.

    “We will ensure that all petroleum storage tanks, receptacles and transporting trucks are properly colour-coded,” Esema said.

    He directed surface tank dealers to paint their receptacles blue with white stripes in the middle of the tanks to indicate that they were kerosene dealers.

    The senior special adviser warned that non-compliance with the colour code would result in prosecution of offenders.

    Esema, who lamented that in the last one year, 48 cases of kerosene explosions were reported in the state, announced that surface tank dealers would also be made to undergo mentoring programme.

    He said that the mentoring programme would require the surface dealers to operate under the supervision of an independent or major marketer to ensure quality products supply.

    Esema further explained that the process would expose the surface tank dealers to some safety measures required to make the products usage safe.

    He also advised kerosene consumers not to refill their lanterns or stoves while the devices are hot.

    “It is advisable to fill a kerosene lantern and stove outdoors using a fill spout. Kerosene should be stored away from the home and any heat or ignition sources,” Esema said.

    Speaking on behalf of the surface tank dealers, Mrs. Lucy Eyo, thanked the committee for organising the stakeholders meeting.

    Eyo said that the dealers were ready to cooperate with the state government to curb incessant kerosene explosion in the state.

    She pledged that the dealers would comply with all the safety measures put in place by the government and appealed for regular supply of kerosene through authorised sources.

    Eyo explained that no dealer would patronise unknown sources if the product was available through  authorised channels.

  • Akwa Ibom PDP in court to recover senatorial seat from Effiong

    •Lawmaker fails to show up

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom has vowed to recover the seat of Senator Nelson Effiong, who recently defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    When the matter came up for mention last Thursday before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, the senator was absent

    The matter was adjourned till May 11 for hearing.

    Briefing reporters, the lead counsel to the PDP, Mr. Godwill Umoh, stated that he was in court to challenge the defection of Effiong, who is representing the Eket Senatorial District.

    Umoh added that he came to court to obtain the order that the senator’s seat should be withdrawn so that steps would be taken to fill the position.

    He said: “I can tell you that I was the one who did his case at the election tribunal and at the Court of Appeal

    “I protected him and he won carrying the ticket of the PDP and so suddenly, he defected, claiming that there was a faction in PDP.

    “Our position is that there is no faction in PDP as the party has conducted election since that incident over again and there is no problem.”

    The Akwa Ibom State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, said the party was ready to go to the whole legal mile to reclaim the seat from Effiong.

    “If we are not ready, we would not have started in the first instance. Seeing the extent we have gone, it shows that we are very serious and we are determined to recover the seat because like it is mentioned, we are starting from Nelson’s ward and local government to his senatorial district, who are totally dismayed by the attitude of the Senate.”

  • Unease in Akwa Ibom PDP over defections

    Unease in Akwa Ibom PDP over defections

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Akwa-Ibom State are making new moves to save party from continuous defection of its members to All Progressive Congress (APC), reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    For the first time in over 16 years, Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing what some observers described as ‘its biggest threat ever,’ following the continuous defection of its members to the All Progressive Congress (APC). Concerned members, who commented on the development, said the leaders must do something fast if the umbrella wants to survive the threat of the broom in the traditional PDP state.

    The development, which started shortly before the last governorship election in the state, assumed an embarrassing dimension last weekend when over 100 members in Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Eket Federal Constituency, including members said to be close to the governor and former top officials on the platform of the party, defected from PDP to APC. As a result, according to an associate of former State Governor, and now Senator Godwin Akpabio, the party leadership, at the behest of Akpabio and Governor Emmanuel Udom, has advised all ward leaders to look inwards with a view to resolve internal wrangling that may lead to further defections.

    The Nation investigation shows that PDP leaders in the state, especially former Governor Akpabio and Governor Emmanuel Udom, are not taking kindly to the development as they have sworn to reverse the trend and retain power in the South-South state.

    For example, when on January 19, 2017, Senator Nelson Effiong, who represents Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, announced his defection to APC from PDP, Akpabio, who, as the Senate Minority Leader, has been leading PDP’s counter attack against defection of PDP lawmakers nationwide, was particularly angered. Expressing deep regrets over the development, he declared resolve of his party to reclaim the seat.

    “I understand, maybe, due to political intoxication or otherwise, the senator has jumped ship and moved from this side to the other side. I need to let the Senate and the President know that in terms of the court decisions up to the Supreme Court, that it is not an individual who contests an election.

    “It is a political party and, therefore, the moment somebody takes the mandate of a political party, it behooves on that political party to immediately take steps.

    “We heard that this action was going to take place and we engaged the senator in various discussions and we showed him the implication.

    “We must reclaim the mandate given to us and we do not mind the senator joining the APC, but, he will not go with the mandate given to us in Akwa Ibom State,” he said at the floor of the Red Chamber.

    While announcing his defection at the plenary, Effiong had blamed “intractable crisis in the PDP” for his decision, adding that “no politician worth his onions should remain in the PDP.”

    Since then, the battle to stop further defections has been intense as PDP leaders dish out marching orders to the party’s field men and APC continuous its bumper harvests.

    Fallout of election disagreements

    The Nation investigation shows that the current gale of defection from the PDP to the APC may be traced to the pre and post-election disagreements in the state and the way they were handled by PDP leaders.

    It would be recalled that the first blow PDP suffered shortly after the governorship election, was when APC approached the tribunal to challenge the election which brought in Emmanuel as governor of the state. PDP was rattled when after weeks of legal battle; the tribunal nullified the election in 18, out of the 31 local government areas of the state.

    At the appellate court, APC had demanded that elections in the entire state be nullified but the PDP queried the initial cancellation of election in 18 LGA’s by the tribunal and urged the upper court to set aside the election and declare its candidate, Udom Emmanuel, as governor.

    The final court’s rulings notwithstanding, our investigation shows that most of the former PDP members, who defected to APC in the state alleged that they lost confidence in the ruling party in the state because of the way the leaders in the state bulldozed their way to victory, enthroning their chosen ones without giving any thought to the sensibilities of the common PDP faithful that have labored for years to nurture the party at the grassroots.

    Dr. Wilfred Ekon, a youth’s activist in Ikot-Ekpene, who confirmed fresh moves to save PDP in the state, told The Nation that the party is reaping the seeds its leaders sowed in 2015. “We have been monitoring the utterances and actions of PDP leaders to the gale of defections to APC here in Akwa Ibom. If you look at it, either as a youth or as a progressively minded PDP member, it is really laughable. The leader, former Governor Akpabio, for example, threatened to reclaim Senator Nelson Effiong’s seat at the Senate, alleging that the mandate of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District was given to PDP and not to Effiong as a person. The question is which mandate? If indeed the people’s mandate was given to PDP and the PDP remains the same PDP we all loved and supported with so much passion and trust, then, nobody should lose a sleep over anybody’s defection. But we all saw what happened here in 2015. What they are parading as PDP mandate was stolen mandate. It was part of the confusion caused by imposition and other dictatorial practices of our leaders in the state. Is that not why they are still fighting amongst themselves in the case between Hon Bassey Etim and Senator Bassey Albert, both PDP candidates, laying claims to Uyo Senatorial District’s seat? Our people know and love PDP, but so much went wrong in 2015 and the leaders have not done enough to make amends. Until they wake up to realities, many more members will defect to APC here in Akwa Ibom.”

    Crisis in PDP

    Although most state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party have recently blamed the party’s national leadership crisis for their current challenges, insiders said Akwa Ibom’s case transcends the national crisis. For the party, which has ruled the South-South state for the past 16 years, the defection of prominent members with their supporters has become a major source of concern, especially as insiders confirm disaffection at the grassroots. Already, accusing fingers are being raised as most defectors accuse the leadership in the state of being responsible for their loss of confidence in the party.

    In fact, the party’s crisis in the state actually commenced shortly after the governorship and state assembly elections, as they were trailed by widespread condemnations.

    Even official observers, both local and international, had said the elections were not credible due to wide spread violence and electoral malpractices.

    Explaining the root causes of the crisis in Akwa Ibom politics, Ekon said on Friday, “the controversial circumstances surrounding the emergence of both Obong Umana Okon Umana of APC and Governor Udom Emmanuel of PDP as the candidates of the two leading political parties were at the root of what we are seeing today. Remember that two of them were former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration and so you will understand the rivalries. Also, while Umana had to defect to APC a few days to the party’s primaries and as aresult had to ‘dislodge’ Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who was favoured to pick the ticket then, at least, 22 PDP governorship aspirants openly protested the emergence of Emmanuel as the PDP standard bearer. They went to the extent of petitioning the party’s hierarchy to overturn the exercise. All these will explain to us why the political theatre in Akwa Ibom has remained tensed ever since then. I think the leaders must make specific efforts to resolve the thorny issues that arose from that 2015 pre-election maneuvers and the resultant election violence. Until this is done, the political scene will remain hot and more critical defections would be recorded before the next elections.”

    Campaign to exit opposition

    Although Akpabio, as the Minority Leader at the Senate, has remained firm outspoken in his defence of the opposition party, PDP, one of the main factors that have aided the gale of defections to APC in his state is massive campaign of APC leaders in the state for the people to exit opposition and join the ruling party at the centre.

    Ironically, this campaign has been more audible and seemingly more effective in Eket and Ikot-Ekpene areas, where Governor Emmanuel and Akpabio hail from. Just last week, when over 100 former PDP members from Eket area defected to APC it was reported that the mood of people at the Nsima Ekere Campaign Centre, venue of the rally, was so high that the event was turned into a carnival.

    The centre was filled to capacity, with many people hanging outside the arena to catch a glimpse of the defectors, who included former chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Otu Ita Toyo, who hails from the same senatorial district as the governor, Udom Emmanuel; former senators, among them, Aloysius Etok, Helen Esuene; former members of the House of Representatives, including Esime Eyibo, former commissioners, local government chairmen, among others.

    It would be recalled that apart from these latest defections, many PDP chieftains in the state have defected to the APC since 2015. The big names from the state that have defected from PDP to APC since then include Chief Don Etiebet, former member, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Edet Nkpubre, former National Vice Chairman (PDP South-South Zone)  Otuekong Aniete Ekong, former PDP State Secretary, Robinson Uwak, former member House of Representatives, Eket, Obong Nsima Ekere, former Minister, Rita Akpan, former Deputy Governor and Leader of G22 Eket, Crysantus Ette, former member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Eket Emmanuel Inwang, former member Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Eket, Engr. Iroigak Ikann, former Commissioner for Land and Housing, Dr. Effiong Edunam, former Commissioner for Education.

    Commenting on the development, Evangelist Jonathan Udoma, who described himself as a PDP supporter said, “It should be instructive to PDP leaders today that the highest number of high profile defections currently recorded are from Eket and Ikot-Ekpene senatorial zones, where the governor, Udom Emmanuel and former governor Godswill Akpabio, hail from.

    “Add this to the fact that about 13 former LG chairmen and several lawmakers from Ekot-Ekpene Senatorial District alone have defected to the APC, and you will agree with me that we have so much work to do in Akwa Ibom PDP. I am happy to confirm to you that the leaders are aware and have commenced moves at the ward level to save the situation. This weekend, I am aware that one of such crucial meetings has been scheduled in my ward. I think it is the same across the state,” he said.

  • Defection: PDP urges court to sack Sen. Effiong

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to sack Sen. Nelson Effiong representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District over his defection to APC.

    The party alongside 15 other of its Chieftains had in an Originating Summons marked FHC/ABJ/05/61/2017 asked the court to declare the seat vacant.

    The Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Godwin Umoh argued that Effiong lost his membership with effect from Jan. 19 pursuant to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution having become a member of the ruling party.

    They further submitted that Effiong’s removal as a senator had become apt because he (Effiong) had left the party before the expiration of the period for which he was elected.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki was listed as the second defendant.

    The plaintiffs urged the court to declare that the seat of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly is vacant pursuant to Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 constitution.

    The plaintiffs also prayed for an order directing the Senate President to declare the seat of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly vacant pursuant to Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution.

    The plaintiffs had also demanded for an interlocutory injunction restraining the first defendant (Effiong) from parading himself as the senator representing the district.

    They want the court to make another interlocutory injunction restraining the second defendant (Saraki) from recognising the first defendant (Effiong) as senator representing the district.

    The plaintiffs had also asked the court to determine whether the first defendant had not lost his membership of the PDP when he defected to APC on Jan. 19.

    NAN, however, reports that neither the defendants nor their counsel were in court when the matter was entertained.

    The Presiding Judge, Justice John Tsoho subsequently adjourned the case until May 11 for hearing

  • Akwa Ibom partners UNICEF to tackle malnutrition

    Akwa Ibom State government has expressed its readiness to partner the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to promote good nutritional regime for children.

    In line with this policy, N59million has been budgeted for micro-nutrient supplement under the Save One Million Lives (SOML) programme.

    The governor’s wife, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel, said she would soon launch a state-wide enlightenment and sensitisationprogrammein the 31 local governments, during which mothers would be educated and empowered to feed childrenproperly.

    She spoke in Uyo at the opening of a two-day advocacy meeting for women policy makers and wives of policy makers,organised by the government in partnership with UNICEF.

    Mrs. Emmanuel, who was inducted as the number one nutrition champion, said through her pet project, the Family Empowerment and Youths Re-orientation Programme (FEYREP), she would embark on mechanised farming for food sufficiency and affordability.

    She lamented that millions of children were prone to avoidable illnesses and deaths due to malnutrition and poor diet, and enjoined women to go into farming to increase food production.

    The governor’s wife said: “FEYREP is going into mechanised agriculture to enable mothers have enough food for children.”

    She said the government would ensure adequate budgetary provision and enforcement for the implementation of child feeding project.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Dominic Ukpong condemned low investment in nutrition.

    He stressed the need for an action plan to overcome malnutrition.

    His words: “Mobilisingthe resources needed to accelerate progress against malnutrition will require that countries, donors, businesses, innovative financing and even households must act in state’s solidarity to tackle the problem.”

    The UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mr. WilbroadNgambi, underscored the importance of scaling up funding of nutrition programmes for the young ones, to meet UNICEF’s standard.

    He enjoined stakeholders to be in the vanguard of addressing the problem.

    Prof. Henrietta Ene-Obong of the University ofCalabar (UNICAL), Cross River State, lamented that 60 percent of the population lived below poverty line and advocated improved budget for agriculture and feeding programmes, to enhance good nutritional regime.

  • Akwa Ibom Police Command gets new PPRO

    The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Don  Awunah has appointed a new Police Public Relations Officer for the state Police Command.

    He is DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, who until his appointment was the Divisional Crime Officer ‘A’ Division Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.

    A statement by Awunah, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Uyo, noted that Ikechukwu takes over from ASP Cordelia Nwawe,

    He said that Nwawe is on transfer to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    Ikechukwu, who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree Bsc (Hons) in Economics from the University of Uyo, was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP on Aug. 3, 2009.

    He has held many administrative and operational positions including Divisional Crime Officer Yawuri, Administrative Officer B’ OPS Kebbi State, Divisional Traffic Officer Itu Division and Patrol and Guard C Division Uyo. 

    According to the police boss, the new PPRO to Akwa Ibom police command assumes duty immediately

  • Ndoma-Egba vows to change public perception of NDDC

    Ndoma-Egba vows to change public perception of NDDC

    The Chairman of the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba says steps are being taken to change the negative perception of the commission by the public.

    Ndoma-Egbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He regretted that the public image of the commission was not encouraging, adding that It would no longer be business as usual.

    According to him, members of the commission are being accused of collecting kick backs from contractors of the commission before paying them for contracts executed.

    “The story in the public is that the commission collects 10 to 15 per cent from contractors to get their payments for jobs executed.

    “This is absolutely wrong, if it is true, getting such payments from contractors would have become an industry by itself.

    “There is no reason why contractors who have met conditions for payment should not be paid without any gratification.

    “We are coming on board at a very challenging time.’’

    According to him, we must rebrand the commission and change the public perception of it as a slush fund, and this we must do through our honest work and single minded focus and discipline.Ndoma-Egba also pledged to reposition the board to enable it play its role effectively in the administration of the commission.

    He explained that the NDDC under his leadership would no longer serve as a place where things would be done without adhering strictly to set rules and order.

    “The bane of the commission seems to stem from the mentality of the leadership that once they are appointed, it is their turn to rip off the agency.

    “But the new Board and Management of the commission have understood where we are coming from and what the people expect from us and we have decided to depart from the ugly route of the past,’’ he said

    To this end, Ndoma-Egba said that on assumption of office, the management immediately swung into action by taking measures to put their house in order and change the way things were being done in the commission.

    He said this was done to show their seriousness and desire to stick to accountability and to ensure the much needed development.

    The chairman said the management assembled key members of staff and development partners for a retreat in February.

    This, he noted was part of efforts by the commission to reposition it for effective service delivery.

    “The three-day retreat, with the theme; “Collaboration for Sustainable Development”, held in Onne, Rivers State, and was attended by members of the Governing Board, directors, and strategic stakeholders from within and outside the region.

    “The retreat made it clear that the new Board and Management are solely dedicated to integrity, efficiency, transparency and accountability,” he stated.

    Speaking on abandoned projects in the region, Ndoma-Egba blamed the budget process for being “largely responsible for the spate of abandoned projects in the region.’’

    “The approach to projects has been ad hoc, arbitrary and self-serving, with very little end-user content. Many projects appear strange to beneficiary communities.

    “The projects are imposed on them and it creates crisis of ownership.

    “It will be apt to expect that with the combination of the chairman and the managing director in the saddle, a new era of rapid physical development driven by accountability will for once dominate the affairs of the commission.

    “Indeed, those who have taken time to look into the books of the commission are quick to point out that the amount of money received by the intervention agency since its establishment in 2000.“It is not commensurate with the quantity and quality of projects in the nine oil producing states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers.