By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN),has called on the Akwa Ibom State government to work towards the actualization of the abandoned Ibom Science Park.
The abandoned Ibom Science Park was conceptualized by the former Governor Victor Attah while former President Olusegun Obasanjo laid the foundation stone than 15 years ago.
State Director of CHRAN, Mr Franklyn Isong who raised the issues while briefing newsmen during a media parley to mark end of the year activities of the Centre, noted that over 27 hectares of land was acquired in Itu Local Government Area for the siting of the project.
Isong observed that the location has become a security threat to the host communities due to the abandonment by successive administrations.
“The Center urged the Ministry of Science and Technology to work towards the realisation and actualisation of the Ibom Science Park.” The Director said.
He also frowned at the abandonment of Model Motor Parks, built by the administration of Attah by successive administrations and called on present government to look into it.
He noted that such has led to indiscriminate parking, loading and offloading of passengers by tricycle and mini-bus drivers within and around the highways at Ikot Oku Ikono/Ekom Iman Flyover; around Ibom Plaza up to Ikot Ekpene Road by University of Uyo Roundabout; IBB Roudabout near Ibom Hall which pose danger to road users and motorists plying the axis.
The Center also lauded the audit of the Ibom Power Company as directed by the Governor Umo Eno.
On anti open grazing law, the director who lauded the enactment of the State Anti-Open Grazing Law by the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel however lamented that the law is only been partially enforced in some parts of the state
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways to fully implement the Law across the State as a step to checking grazing of cattle on farmlands and avoidance of clashes.
Isong also drew the attention of the state government to the issues of understaffing and poor state of infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, fittings, water, in the Courts spread across the 31 Local Government Areas in the state and called for recruitment of personnel into the State Judiciary as well as a facelift to the Courts in the state.
However, the Centre rated the governor and his team high in the sectoral review within the past 18 months in office and urged them to maintain the tempo saying that it will not fail to call them out if they deviate from delivering good governance.
