The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Udom Emmanuel

  • Akwa Ibom to build industrial parks to boost seaport, gas free zone projects

    Akwa Ibom to build industrial parks to boost seaport, gas free zone projects

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Iibom, says his administration will build industrial parks to boost activities at the envisaged Ibaka deep seaport as well as oil and gas free zone.

    Emmanuel said this on Tuesday in Uyo while inaugurating a 33/11KV electricity injection substation located at Edet Akpan Avenue by Nwaniba waterfall in the state capital.

    The governor said that constant electricity supply was germane to the takeoff of industrial parks slated for both Mbo and Ikot Abasi local government areas.

    He said that some investors were ready to invest in the state as soon as they were sure of conducive environment for their investments.

    “Our duty is to put Akwa Ibom state on the threshold of full industrialisation. With power, we will do a lot of things.

    “The oil and gas free zone authority is earmarked for Ikot Abasi and the deep seaport will come in Ibaka in Mbo,” Emmanuel said.

    The governor said that he was building many electricity substations to stabilise power and create enabling environment for the investors.

    Emmanuel said that the ongoing construction of another substation at Ekim in Mkpat Enin local government area was at an advance stage of completion.

    He said that as soon as that project was completed, a test run of 24 hours electricity supply would be carried out in five local government areas of the state.

    The governor said that he was committed to making Akwa Ibom a role model in electricity supply for the rest of Africa.

    In his speech, the Special Assistant on power, Mr Meyen Etukudo, said that the new electricity injection substation would improve power supply in many areas of the state capital.

    Etukudo listed the areas to include Shelter Afrique, Ewet Housing Estate, Osongama, Four lanes, Brook Street and Nsikak Edouk Avenue.

    Etukudo, who is also the Managing Director of Ibom Power Company, described the Uyo substation as the most modern with inbuilt circuits and other components for easy operations.

    He thanked the state governor for intervening when the project suffered initial setback while looking for appropriate site.

    In his remarks, the consultant to the project and Managing Director, Four Power Consortium Ltd, Mr Mathew Edevbie, said that Akwa Ibom was at the verge of attaining 24 hours electricity supply.

    He thanked the state governor for taking seriously the issue of power supply, explaining that if state governments should ignore electricity distribution, power supply will be impossible.

    Edevbie said that the substation was compact and modern with less negative impacts on the environment.

  • Akwa Ibom to partner FG on skill acquisition centres for women

    Akwa Ibom to partner FG on skill acquisition centres for women

    The Akwa Ibom government says it will partner with the Federal Government on the establishment of skill acquisition centres for women in the 31 council areas of the state.

    The state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, made the promise on Monday in Uyo when the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Aisha Alhassan, paid him a courtesy visit.

    Emmanuel said that he was excited to hear that the Federal Government was planning to build skill acquisition centres in the local government areas to train the rural women.

    The governor said that he would direct the Women Affairs commissioner to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on the proposed skill acquisition centres for the women

    He announced that his administration was already partnering with a German technical firm on the establishment of a mega skill acquisition centre for both women and the youth.

    Emmanuel said that the Child Rights Law enacted in 2008 in the state was on course, explaining that a child rehabilitation centre had also been established to help vulnerable children.

    He pleaded with the Federal Government to include Akwa Ibom in the early phase of the home-grown school feeding programme for school children.

    The governor noted that the feeding programme for school children would complement the free and compulsory education policy of the state government.

    Emmanuel also appealed to the Federal Government to refund at least 50 per cent of the money spent by the state government on federal roads crisscrossing the state.

    He promised that if the money is refunded, he would use it to relocate Uyo Prison currently being threatened by gully erosion.

    “The prison yard is almost inside the ravine and I have proposed to relocate it from there.”

    Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Aisha Alhassan, commended the Akwa Ibom government for domesticating the Child Rights Act in the state.

    She lauded the Gov. Emmanuel for supporting the vulnerable, the children and women in the state.

    The minister said that she was in the state to assess the level of women involvement in development and to sensitize them on social investment programmes of the Federal Government.

    She said that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs would collaborate with the state government on the establishment of skill acquisition centres in the local government areas of the state.

    “The FG has to collaborate if it has to succeed in taking care of the Nigerian women.

    “We are asking for collaboration to assist the vulnerable, the children and women of the Akwa Ibom,” Alhassan said

    She promised that Akwa Ibom would benefit from the next phase of the home-grown school feeding programme of the Federal Government.

    Alhassan assured that when the programme would begin in the state, the Akwa Ibom women would be engaged in the cooking for the children.

  • Former PDP spokesman accuses defectors of selfishness

    Former PDP spokesman accuses defectors of selfishness

    A former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Anietie Okon, says those dumping the party in Akwa Ibom are selfish.

    “Those who switched camp did that for selfish interest, they lack commitment to the party.

    “By their very act, they give politics a bad name, they are doing so for their selfish interest, they are not working for people but themselves,” Okon told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Uyo.

    Okon who was reacting to recent defection from PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by some prominent politicians in the state, described the action of such politicians as regrettable.

    According to him, many politicians place their personal interest above the common good of all.

    He noted that politicians had shown very little concern about collective interest of the people and the vision of building the state for the wellbeing of future generations.

    “Akwa Ibom politics runs on two clear lines, which are partisan. This is regrettable so far.

    “As far as I am concerned there must be a point in political partisanship, where the greater interest of the people is placed above partisanship.

    “After politicking, there comes a period of governance. Governance is not to be one-sided. It puts the interest of the people first.”

    NAN recalls that about 200 members of PDP in Uruan Local Government defected to the APC on Friday and three weeks ago 500 PDP stalwarts left the party in Ikono Local Government Area.

    Okon absolved the PDP leadership in the state led by Gov. Udom Emmanuel for the wave of defection, saying that the governor was resolute in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people.

    “As Gov. Emmanuel celebrates two years in office this May, the state is not owing workers’ salaries and entitlements like some states.

    “We are in a modern world, the important thing is to give satisfaction to the people and the governor is toiling day and night to meet the people’s needs,” Okon said.

    He assured that the PDP administration in the state was on course and determined to deliver quality and people-centred leadership.

  • A’Ibom sues for peace among warring communities in Oku Iboku

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has called on warring communities in Oku Iboku clan in Itu Local Government Area and Ikot Offiong in Cross River to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

    Emmanuel made the call on Sunday when he led members of the state Security Council to visit Ikot Ada Akpan community allegedly displaced by suspected gunmen from Ikot Offiong in Cross River State, following a communal clash.

    The governor, while addressing the displaced communities in Oku Iboku clan in Itu local government area, said that they were attacked by their neighbouring communities in Ikot Offiong.

    He assured them that his administration was taking necessary measures to ensure their security and safety.

    He appealed to them to remain law abiding as his administration would do everything possible to forestall a reoccurrence of the wanton destruction of lives and property.

    The governor appealed to the community leaders and youths in the area to maintain peace even in the face of provocation by their Ikot Offiong neighbours.

    He promised to provide relief materials to communities affected by the violent attacks in order to ameliorate their suffering.

    Responding, the transition Chairman of Itu local government area, Mrs. Elsie Esara said that the people of Oku Iboku had incurred severe losses as a result of renewed communal clash and attack by unidentified gunmen from Ikot Offiong.

    She appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the community by way of providing relief materials to the affected persons.

    Speaking also, a community leader in the area, Mr. Ekpe Antia, said that the people of Oku Iboku have in recent times been harassed and attacked from Ikot Offiong.

    He hinted that the community would no longer fold its hands and watch its youth and women being killed by gunmen from Cross River state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that renewed communal clashes between Ikot Offiong community in Cross River and its Oku Iboku neighbours in Akwa Ibom state have claimed scores of lives and property worth millions of naira.

    Gov. Emmanuel was accompanied by the Police Commissioner Donald Awuna, Commander 2 Brigade Command Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulahi Hassan, member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal constituency in the House of Representatives and other security personnel.

     

  • Osinbajo intervenes in three states’ boundary dispute

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday waded into the boundary demarcation dispute among Ebonyi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

    Although the outcome of the mediation was not made public, the stakeholders in the states attended a meeting presided over by Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.

    The spokesman to the acting President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the meeting was “to review updates on boundary and boundary demarcation issues.”

    The governors of the states – Prof. Ben Ayade (Cross River), Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Mr. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) attended the meeting alongside their deputies.

    Also in attendance were officials of the National Boundary Commission led by the Director-General, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, the clan head of Ipollo community in Cross River, Chief Stephen Odom, and senators from the states.

    NAN

     

  • Presidency cautions Akwa Ibom governor over Paris Club fund

    The Presidency on Thursday asked Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, to ensure judicious use of the N14.5 billion released to the state by the Federal Government from the Paris Club debt fund.

    It specifically cautioned the governor to deploy the fund to defray outstanding salaries and pension arrears of workers in the state.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang stated this when he hosted a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Ukoete, who defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ukoete represents Ukanafun/ Orukanam of Akwa Ibom in the House of Representatives.

    Enang, who said the fund was released to the state government for the payment of accumulated salaries and pension owed workers in the state, insisted that the money should be used for its purpose.

    He said, “We are calling on the state to use the money for what it is meant for so that life can return to the state.”

    The Presidential aide noted that  it is obvious that the people of Akwa Ibom are the greatest beneficiaries of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in term of appointments and empowerment programmes.

     

  • Uyo Church Disaster: Governor inaugurates panel of enquiry

    Uyo Church Disaster: Governor inaugurates panel of enquiry

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has inaugurated a Panel of Inquiry to unravel the mystery surrounding last Saturday’s Reigners International Church building collapse which claimed dozens of lives.

     Inaugurating the Commission in Uyo, the state capital, Emmanuel charged them to do a thorough job of unraveling the immediate and remote causes of the incident and make recommendations to government.

     The seven member panel has Justice Umoekeyo Essang, as Chairman, with Engr. James Utiaruk; Arc. Essien Nkanga; Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abibo; Prophet John Linus; Engr. Asuquo Okon and Engr. James Amiang, as members, while Mrs. Emem Victor Daniel of the Ministry of Justice, Uyo, would serve as Secretary.

     The Commission which would commence sitting on Friday,  is saddled with the responsibility to: “investigate and probe the immediate and remote causes of the collapse building; examine the roles played by any person, institutions and authorities, as well as establishing the consequences of such roles.”

     “It commission would also identify and indict any person, institutions and authorities responsible either remotely or immediately and appropriate sanctions and examine all the circumstances surrounding the collapsed structure and make recommendations to the government.”

     Meanwhile, from the 10 hospitals and clinics hosting several victims of the Church crash, over 50 patients were discharged on Thursday.

     Among those sent home from the hospitals were the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Ekerete Udoh; the Chief Protocol, Edmond Uffang, and others.

    Meanwhile, institutions and individuals affected have continued to mourn victims of the accident.

    The Alumni Association of the University of Uyo that lost some students in the crashed commiserated with the government, the Church and the people of the State.

    The President of the Association, Prof. Gabriel Umoh, described the incident as tragic and prayed for the reposed of the souls of those affected and the fortitude to bear the loss by the families of those affected.

    Sympathisers have continued to throng the scene of the accident to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of their dear ones and for God to heal the wounds nursed by families of those affected.

  • 60 rescued from debris of Uyo’s collapsed Church

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Saturday escaped unhurt as the Reigners Bible Church International building in Uyo collapsed during a worship session.

    Sixty casualties were however rescued from the building.

    The governor was the special guest of honour at the consecration service of the Founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks, as a bishop.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Reigners Bible Church International building, situated on Uyo Village Road, was still under construction when it collapsed.

    Its iron rafters caved in as the service was ongoing.

    A witness told NAN that the building collapsed 30 minutes after the governor arrived.

    ‘’When we were about taking offering, 30 minutes after the governor came in, the building caved in. Security operatives took him away,’’  he said.

    When NAN correspondents visited the scene, security operatives had cordoned off the entire building while trying to rescue those trapped in the debris.

    Another witness, Miss Uduak Effiong, told NAN that a female victim’s bowel was ripped open by the tragedy.

    Effiong, who is a communication arts  student of the University of Uyo, said that she lost three friends to the incident.

    Mr Joseph James, who also witnessed the building collapse, told NAN that the Founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks, was also brought out unhurt.

    Some rescue team members said that over 60 casualties had been removed from the debris.

    However, the state Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, said that she could not confirm the casualty figure since rescue operations were ongoing.

    She said that security operatives had been drafted to maintain law and order at the scene to prevent hoodlums from cashing in on the situation.

    “Rescue team members are trying their best to rescue all the victims trapped at the collapsed building.

    ‘’We cannot tell you the exact number of casualties now as the rescue operations are on,’’ she said.

    The rescue team at scene is made up of workers of Julius Berger Construction Company, the police, army, Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Medical Association and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

  • EFCC not a thorn in our flesh – Akwa Ibom Governor

    EFCC not a thorn in our flesh – Akwa Ibom Governor

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has okayed the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying the agency is not a thorn in the state government’s flesh.

    Emmanuel, who spoke during a media parley at the Government House in Uyo, said his government would continue to give the much needed support to the commission.

    The governor while responding to questions from journalists said he has never been distracted by activities of the EFCC.

    He said: “EFCC is not a thorn in the flesh of Akwa Ibom State Government. I have never been distracted by the EFCC. Even the meeting I had today with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, tomorrow they will write that I went to beg him. Please, let’s allow the anti-graft agency to do its work.”

    The governor added that the sum of N52billion would be needed to address continuous flooding on IBB Avenue and other areas in the Uyo metropolis.

    While asking the people to be patient with his administration, Emmanuel said his government is on top of every situation.

    The governor said he had used his properties twice as collateral to collect loan in order to pay salaries of workers in the state.

    “I am not a magician. Be patient with me. Twice, I have used my properties as collateral to get loan to pay salaries. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is here, you can ask him,” he stated.

    Emmanuel advised civil servants to key into agriculture by planting cocoa instead of queuing in banks for pension after their retirement.

     

  • Recession won’t limit Nigeria – Governor

    Recession won’t limit Nigeria – Governor

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, on Tuesday said the recession facing Nigeria will not limit the country.

    He said Nigeria will go beyond the current economic crisis.

    The governor spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “Everything we do I keep reassuring Nigerians. We want to be together in Nigeria, so whatever we discussed it is in the interest of our citizens. We must make sure we put our heads together to solve our challenges as a developing nation.

    “Let me assure Nigerians that there is no developing country that doesn’t go through what we go through and how do we make effort to face the challenges. That’s why you see us putting heads together, trying to appraise and try to find a solution that will be enduring.

    “We are not limited to what we see all over the world, we are not limited by the recession and based on what people see, we go beyond that. Go beyond biases, ethnicity, religion and gender just rise to togetherness. That’s the message.”

    On his visit to the Villa, he added: “I think we will always come here because we were mandated by the governors’ forum to come and discuss some certain issues with the vice president and that’s why you saw two of us here. We were supposed to be three but the third governor could not make it.”