Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
A National Assembly member, Mr Patrick Ifon has expressed sadness o er the inability of the Federal Government to complete and initiate new projects in the oil producing communities of Akwa Ibom.
Ifon who represents Eket/ Esit Eket/ Ibeno/ ONNA Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives said it was unfortunate that the FG has continued to neglecte oil bearing communities in the area of development.
He made this known weekend in Eket, during the 2019 Ekid Cultural Festival, a yearly event organized by the apex youth socio-cultural group in Ekid Nation, Afigh Iwaad Ekid, AIE.
He noted that Eket Federal Constituency which has been providing more than 40 percent of the country’s revenue has continued to suffer neglect and lacked federal presence in infrastructure.
“We own the crude oil, we contribute enormously to the growth of the country’s economic growth and stability, but we are manifestly neglected by the Federal Government who are direct beneficiaries of our goodwill. The state government is contributing its quota, what is the Federal government’s contribution? It means we are no priority to the Federal government”
The lawmaker said that a certain portion between Eket and ONNA axis o the East West road has been abandoned, creating the notion that the Federal Government is exploiting the constituency instead of propounding their wellbeing.
“The Federal Government should see the need to complete the East -West Road they started years ago. They should be aware that the continuing abandonment of this road smacks our nobility, leaving us with the conviction that we are being exploited by the government that is supposed to see our wellbeing as their priority”
He stressed further that the development of the Constituency could only be accomplished through collective ideas calling for discuss in every gathering of the Constituency, so as to awaken the consciousness of constituents to be a participant in the developmental strategy of the area.
Earlier in a remark, the President General of AIE, who is also the the SSA to the Governor on project monitoring, Obong
Iwaad Williams said the group has over the years galvanized youths within its jurisdiction for the maintenance of peace.
This Williams said has been achieved through interface with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and government for employment, youth’s empowerment and trainings.
He stated that through this strategy, the group has been able to secure over 80 employments from oil servicing companies which was distributed accordingly in line with the sharing formula stipulated in ExxonMobil’s Labour and Community Relations Guidelines.
He however called on all stakeholders in the organization, to bring into every administration of the organization their wealth of experience in other to contribute their expertise to the upliftment of the organization for the growth of the people and the communities.
