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Tag: A’Ibom

  • Seven perish in A’Ibom road accident

    Seven perish in A’Ibom road accident

    No fewer than seven persons including school children have been confirmed dead at the failed portion of the Calabar-Itu road by Ntak Inyang in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

    It was learnt one side of the dual carriage way was still under repairs, forcing motorists including tricycle and motorcycle operators to ply the free lane.

    According to Etim Asuquo, a motorcyclist, the congestion on the free lane compacted the traffic leading to the accident as the fuel truck rammed into the approaching tricycle from the opposite direction resulting in the accident.

    Confirming the incident, the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Ogah Ochi, said officers of the Command had since been drafted to the scene for effectively traffic regulation.

    “We are aware of the incident and our men have been dispatched to the scene”, he said.

  • NGO empowers TBAs, others in A’Ibom

    NGO empowers TBAs, others in A’Ibom

    A Non Governmental Organisation, Women United for Economic Empowerment (WUEE) has donated Personal Protective Equipments to 33 Traditional Birth Attendants in Akwa Ibom.

    It also donated food items to women, tuition fee to indigent students and smart tablets to 20 students in higher institutions of learning in it’s quest to improve capacity for women and students.

    Speaking shortly before donation of the items, the Executive Director of WUEE, Mrs Iniobong Frank said the decision to equip the Traditional Birth Attendants with PPEs especially in the period of Covid-19, was to forestall easy transmission of the virus during the process of attending to women in labour.

    Frank who announced that the NGO was established and currectly funded by the US- based Mrs Aniema Udofa and her partners, to empower women and other vulnerable groups in the society, said the objective of WUEE is to see a poverty and gender discrimination-free society.

    She appealed to the TBAs to make good use of the items donated to protect themselves, mothers and the new born babies delivered in their homes.

    Frank who also advised the tertiary institutions students on proper use of the phone tablets donated to them, said the items were meant to assist them carry out their researches than get distracted with social media activities which may impact negatively on their future.

    She assured that the NGO took time to select only indigent students for the school fees support to ensure that such help was directed only to those who truly needed such assistance.

    A representative of Mrs Martha Emmanuel’s Family Empowerment & Youth Reorientation Path Initiative. (Feyrep), Mrs Iniobong Ekanem in her remarks cautioned the students against negative use of the devices handed to them, adding that judicious use of such items could open wider doors into the world.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Esther Ebong, a Traditional Birth Attendant, commended WUEE for its timely and consistent interventions. She recalled that TBAs, before receiving enlightenment from the NGO were attending to deliveries with bare hands.

    “Let me sincerely thank Women United for helping us embrace safe practices which have really aided our safety, safety of mothers and of new born babies. Before they started visiting our homes to carry out enlightenment programmes, we used to attain to labour cases with bare hands, even our environments were not well kept.

    “It got so bad that our husbands were no longer accepting food from us because of our hygiene conditions. But when they came, they took us through some exercises on personal hygiene and safety, they equipped us with PPEs such as what we got today. Today, TBAs in Akwa Ibom can compete with other heath workers anywhere in the world.” Ebong said.

  • CSO demands release of detained mother, son detained by Police in A’Ibom

    CSO demands release of detained mother, son detained by Police in A’Ibom

    A Civil Social Organization, COMMPART Foundation for Justice and Peace Building has demanded the unconditional release of Mrs Naomi Ebong of Oruk Anam local Government Area of Akwa Ibom and her son, Kufre Ebong detained at the State Police headquarters  over unknown cause of death of one Aniekan Udoh.
    Executive Director of the Organisation, Mr Saviour Akpan who made the demand in a letter addressed to the State Commissioner of Police and made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo, described the prolonged detention of the duo since February 10, 2021 as disrespect to legal provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
    The Director stressed that the administration of the Criminal Justice Act was propounded to ensure that the system among other things promotes speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the Society from crime, and the rights, interest of the suspect as well as the defendant and victim.
    “We write most respectfully to bring to your attention, and immediate action over the prolonged incarceration of Mrs. Naomi Ebong and Kufre Ebong of Obio Akpa clan in Oruk Anam local government area which is in total disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
    “We hereby demand unconditional release of Mrs. Naomi Ebong and her son Kufre Ebong to a reliable surety pending investigation and in this case we recommend the family head  of Ekpuk where she is married to in Obio Akpa in the person of Chief Isreal Asuquo.
    “We also demand a stop within Akwa Ibom state police command the practice of detaining suspects at the pleasure of complainant as it seems the practice is gradually gaining grounds and if not checked will be detrimental to citizen’s access to justice.
    “It is a truism that the police can detain suspects pending conclusion of investigation but in this case scenario since the arrest was not done on the same date the incident took place , it is a believe of every reasonableness that investigation must have been carried out before the arrest and as such arraignment of the suspects wouldn’t have delayed longer than 48hours as stipulated by Law.” He explained.
    Akpan stressed that section 63(1) of the police Act provided that where  a suspect was taken into custody and it appears to the police officer that the inquiry into the case could not be completed immediately, he may discharge the suspect on his entering into a recognizance with or without sureties for a reasonable amount, to appear at the police station at a time named in the recognizance.
    He said part of the focus of his organisation was to serve as a centrepiece in defending citizen’s rights in order to build confidence in the justice and security sectors.
    “We are not in support of the sudden death of the deceased, but we believe the police have so many ways to unravel such mystery and have the perpetrator (s) brought to book including the evoking of the Corona Inquest which is properly provided for in our extant Law.” Akpan further stated.
  • Cervical cancer screening begins for Female Police Officers in A’Ibom

    Cervical cancer screening begins for Female Police Officers in A’Ibom

    Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner, Mr Amiengheme Andrew over the Weekend flagged off a two week free cervical cancer awareness and screening for the female police officers in the state..

    The programme, executed in partnership with Heartland Alliance and the Nigeria Police Medical Services, Akwa Ibom State would be accessed by Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, Police Wives Association, PWA, Late Police Officers’ Wives Association, LAPOWA, and the female Police Officers.

    At the occasion in Uyo, the Commissioner, who was represented by his wife Joy Amiengheme said the programme was borne out of the need to remind women the importance of staying healthy and going for cervical cancer screening for early detection and treatment.

    She urged the women to maximize the rare privilege, stressing that early detection of cancer can save lives if properly managed.

    Amiengheme commended Heartland Alliance and the Nigeria Police Medical Services for working together to ensure that the programme saw the light of the day.

    Also speaking, the Police Head of Medical Services, CSP (Dr) Chuks Ahunaya said the need for a screening cannot be overemphasized as lack of early detection can lead to death. He lauded Heartland Alliance for making room for a robust partnership to be enjoyed between both organisations.

    Addressing the attendees, the representative of Heartland Alliance, Mr Paul Umoh said cervical cancer is discovered to be one of the leading causes of high death rate among women, reason for the screening to be held.

    Noting that the issue of health is generally taken for granted, Umoh said to curb this, Police Officers’ Wives and other Police Women were widely mobilised to be able to access the service.

    Also two beneficiaries, Judith Godsend and Inijane Asuatang expressing their joy, thanked the Nigeria Police Force for collaborating with Heartland in hosting the event to their benefits.

     

  • A’Ibom moves to sanitize activities of miners, Dredgers

    A’Ibom moves to sanitize activities of miners, Dredgers

    Akwa Ibom State government has issued a guideline in a deliberate move to sanitize activities of miners and illegal sand dredgers in the state.

    A statement from the state commissioner for environment Mr Charles Udoh made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday said this has become necessary as activities of illegal sand dredgers and gravel miners have continued to pose severe environmental and security threat to residents.

    The statement expressed worry that critical state infrastructure and assets are threatened while several communities have lost their sources of natural drinking water with farm lands devastated due to indiscriminate mining and dredging in many parts of the state.

    “It is even more worrisome that suspicious characters from all parts of the country are beginning to find dwelling places in our state under the guise of sand dredging or gravel mining.” It said.

    In view of the urgent need to alleviate these concerns, the statement said, the state government has generated a data base of practitioners in the area to ensure that all mining activities in state are carried out in accordance with the extant laws.

    It has also approved a checklist for all current and prospective artisanal miners including formal expression of interest to the state Ministry of Environment (MoE), site verification/Inspection and evidence of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with host communities.

    Others include evidence of operational permit/license by Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel (MoM&S) and National Inland WaterWay Authority (NIWA), where applicable, acceptable Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and evidence of business registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    It also requested prospective miners to produce evidence of up-to-date tax clearance from Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) and environmental Permit issued by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment (MoE). This is renewable annually while approved locations will be mapped.

    “It is important to note that all prospective miners and current operators must be certified to have completed this process before commencement of operation. Furthermore, all operators must subject their sites to a mandatory quarterly environmental monitoring as well as an annual environmental audit.

    “This checklist was developed after due consultation with other relevant regulatory bodies. Implementation takes immediate effect. We count on the cooperation of all current and prospective artisanal miners, community leaders and related agencies in ensuring the safety of our environment.” It concluded.

  • Stakeholders for Social Good Hosts Inaugural Business Leadership Summit in A’Ibom

    Stakeholders for Social Good Hosts Inaugural Business Leadership Summit in A’Ibom

    The Community Stakeholders for Social Good had on Thursday held its Inaugural Business Leadership Summit in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The summit according to the Chief Executive Officer, Mmanti Umoh was to bridge the gap and transform government’s relationship with businesses in the State as covid 19 pandemic has negatively impacted on the economy.

    In her opening remarks at the event tagged “Leading In The Midst Of Uncertainty,” which was held in Ibom E-Library, IBB avenue, Uyo, the State capital, Umoh called on the State government to be efficient and agile stressing that bureaucracy has to be replaced with meritocracy.

    She added, ”we need to build an economy where we borrow less and produce more. We need an economy where we generate more jobs here at home and send more products overseas. We need to invest and nurture the industries of the future, and we need to train our workers to compete for those jobs. In the next 30 years, we will see a completely new value chain.

    “The whole way that we do business, that we live and that we have grown accustomed to in the industrial age, will have to be changed. To capitalize on the great opportunities the future provides, and to respond to the economic and social challenges we face today, courageous and comprehensive reforms are needed. These require the collaborative efforts of governments, businesses, and other actors in society.”

    Following, the Special guest of honor; Justice Ifiok Ukanna (Rtd) who spoke on the topic, ‘The rule of law, a bedrock of sustainable development. (Is law as we know it, still fit for purpose?),’ said the rule of law works hand in hand with development as only law can maintain equitable balance between individuals, business and the State.

    Justice Ukana further said, “we need to put the rule of law squarely at the heart of development — no longer an optional extra, but the very stuff without which no development can be sustained. We must lay strong emphasis on access to justice, on the quality and inclusivity of institutions. The rule of law can evolve to meet the challenges of business, but it must be practical, transparent, flexible, and above all rapid.”

    The keynote speaker; Mr. Udom Inoyo described leadership as germane to the success of a business noting that before any business survives amidst the covid 19 economy, business leaders must among other things, ‘pull together a network of like-minded entrepreneurs forming a symbiotic ecosystem of local businesses.’

    Adding that business leaders must embrace technology and innovation to stay ahead of the competition and address anticipated future business challenges as well as maintaining a high level of discipline, hard work and integrity.”

    Also speaking, the member representing Etinan federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke urged leaders at all tier of government not to use the pandemic as a ruse for weakening Democratic institutions, fundamental rights and further exclude political participation.

    He further urged leaders especially those in governments to meet people at the point of their needs by social inclusion such as improved access to education and health care, as well as protection from food disruptions.

    “Africa must step up. Our approach to leadership must change to put the welfare of our citizens first. It is time for the present crop of leaders in Africa to give way for the set that will take Africa to its preferred destination.” The lawmaker said.

    He regretted governments’ failure to invest in research and development as the research institutions in Nigeria have not been able to come up with vaccines for covid19.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, forum of Civil Societies Organisations, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Harry Udo called for good governance that would be participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable, inclusive and follows the rule of law.

    He said such governance assures that “corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making.

    Other dignitaries who spoke at the event included Pastor Martin Effiong- the Branch Manager of First Bank, Mr. Effiong Esumo – Exxon Mobil Nigeria, Mr Hanson Johnson- Founder, Start Innovation Hub & Program Coordinator Community Stakeholders for Social Good, Mr. Ubong Obot- MD, Ubotex Nigeria Limited, Magnus Chukwuekezie – MD Everyday Foods, Elder Ndanti Ekuh SSA on Research and Documentation, Mrs Anita Asuquo – Project Lead Akwa Ibom Business Leadership Summit, Miss Iboro Gordon – Chancellor environmental education Institute & Curator, Global Shapers Community Uyo.

  • A’Ibom to replace vandalized electricity installations

    A’Ibom to replace vandalized electricity installations

    Akwa Ibom state government has said that it would soon embark on the replacement of vandalised electrical installations, transformer substations in Uyo and environs.

    State Commissioner for Power & Petroleum Development, Dr. John Etim made this known while on an inspection tour to some vandalised installations in the State Capital yesterday expressing sadness over the wanting destruction done to the installations.

    Etim who inspected vandalized electricity installations at Ewet Housing Estate, Ekpri Nsukara, Anua Offot, Akamba Nsukara Offot and Atiku  Abubakar road warned that henceforth government would take the prosecution of vandals more serious.

    The commissioner called on the people to be watchful and ensure that government facilities located in their communities were protected from all forms of vandalism adding that it must be everybody’s business to ensure their safety.

    “If government spends money to install facilities for us, we should also live up to expectations, to make sure these facilities are safe, so If you see something, say something, by alerting the security agencies and other relevant authorities”. He said.

    The State Assembly Etim said would soon enact a legislation that would hold beneficiaries of government projects accountable, thereby, making them responsible for vandalised public utilities.

    He described as unacceptable and irresponsible  peoples’ refusal to pay their electricity bills after consumption and tasked electricity consumers to fulfill their own part of the bargain.

    The inspection the commissioner disclosed was undertaken as a result of  applications received from the affected communities and called on others with the same plight to apply to the ministry.

  • A’Ibom pays N2bn compensation on drainage project

    A’Ibom pays N2bn compensation on drainage project

    Akwa Ibom state government has said that it would spend Two Billion Naira in payment of compensation to land and crop owners along the right of way for the IBB Avenue flood control drainage project in Uyo.

    This is even as work has progressed on the N14bn World Bank assisted project meant to control flooding in an area reputed to be the lowest point and the epicentre of flooding which has constituted a manace to residents of the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    Commissioner for Environment Mr Charles Udoh who made this known to correspondents yesterday in Uyo said that 499 persons benefitted from the first leg of the payment while the next phase of payment would commence next week.

    The 8.4km drainage project he said is expected to be completed before the rains even as excavation and casting have been completed in some places while it is expected that enough would have been done to enable the drains carry flood water before the rains start.

    The drainage project according to him was awarded to China Roads and Bridges Corporation after an international bidding process in May last year with a 19 months completion period with the World Bank providing N12 Billion and the state government providing the balance of Two Billion Naira used for the payment of compensation.

    When completed he said it would serve as the major link for many other flood control drains and would solve most of the perennial flood problems in Uyo and environs.

    The commissioner explained that the drains which would be covered in built up areas would cover a stretch of 8.4km and would be as deep as 10.10m in some places and as much as 8m wide carrying about 50,000 metres of water per second.

    “The project spans over a 8.4km stretch and is designed to carry flood waters from IBB Avenue to Ibesikpo cutting across 17 communities excluding the four communities that host the construction yard. The 17 communities cut across Uyo, Nsit Ibom and Ibesikpo Asutan LGAs and the project is the biggest NEWMAP project in Nigeria today.

    “So it’s like building a river and so because of the depth we are going to cover the drains in built up areas to avoid casualties while the less built up areas will have perimeter fences on both sides of the drain and a service road to ensure that people can patrol and conduct checks and service the drains when the need arises.

    “We are also aware that some natural sources of water would be destroyed by the project and so we are providing remediation measures by providing boreholes for such places and communities whose natural source of drinking water will be affected. We are also building bridges in communities that could be cut into two by the drains.” He explained.

    Udoh further said a new technology is been deployed to ensure that the drainage would not hamper the continuous existence or damage its outfall, a stream in Ibesikpo Asutan local council which already accommodates two other major drainage outfall from Uyo.

    “We are using a new drainage termination technology called Gebion and Reno Mattresses used to terminate drains before you get to where you plant specific grasses to allow natural sedimentation.

    “We are going to have that so that before the water gets near it’s outfall the water will be at crawling speed so there won’t be any devastation. So beyond the Gebion and Reno Mattresses we will have natural grasses planted and over a period will become a tourist centre like we already have at Dominic Utuks Avenue in Uyo.” He said.

    The commissioner stated that the ministry has also streamlined the activities of miners and sand dredgers in the state to reduce the negative impact of their business on the environment.

    Three persons he said has already been arrested for flouting dredging regulations and threatening human lives by dredging around pillars of some major bridges and high tension poles belonging to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company in the State.

    He called on indegenes to report any dredging and mining activity especially in the rural areas that could constitute a threat to the environment and human lives.

  • A’Ibom losing $5M daily for non investment in Ship Business – Udonwa

    A’Ibom losing $5M daily for non investment in Ship Business – Udonwa

    A ship building expert Mr Iniekong Udonwa has the Akwa Ibom State Government and it’s people have been losing not less than five million Dollars revenue over inability of its citizens to be involved in ship ownership and business.

    Udonwa, chairman of Norfin Offshore Shipyard made the disclosure while briefing newsmen at the Norfin Offshore Shipyard at Oruk-Anam local government area of the state yesterday.

    He urged Akwa Ibom people to develop interest in the maritime industry, adding that since the State produce 65% of crude oil in Nigeria, there was need for it’s people to get involved in the maritime sector.

    “This is a money spinning investment, and Akwa Ibom is loosing 5Million Dollars daily following the inability of our own people to get involved in ship owning business and investment in the maritime sector. All we are concerned is politics.” He said.

    The chairman also made a case for a state owned financial institution that would help the people access credit facilities to enable them acquire ships and invest in the nation’s maritime industry.

    “We need an Akwa Ibom bank that would support our people to buy ship and invest in the maritime and oil and gas sector. If Akwa Ibom people can purchase 50 ships, that could generate about 50 million dollars revenue to the State.” Udonwa stated.

    He said the Company has commenced building of security patrol vessels in Akwa Ibom State barely six days after an attack on its facility by suspected militants with the aim of reducing piracy and other heinous crimes in the nation’s territorial waters.

    “We are now building security vessels to add value to Nigeria and reduce piracy in the country. The International Communities are shouting everyday over piracy, just last week they killed one crew member and abducted fifteen others at Turkish container vessels.

    “This is the only shipyard in Nigeria that is going into ship building, others are only into maintenance and repairs.” He explained.

    Udonwa hinted that the Federal Government Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have approached the company to train Niger Delta youths on ship building.

    According to him, the training would avail the youths opportunity to become professional ship builders and that would enable them to get job in any part of the world.

    “NDDC approached us and negotiate on training some youths interested in ship building from this area and we agreed to partner with them. Even Amnesty Nigeria has also approached us demanding cultists and militants to surrender their arms and be trained in the shipyard.

    “This is going to open up the opportunity for our youths to be trained and provide employment. Our youths will receive first hand training so that when they are specialized, they could have access to build ships in Europe and other continent because people are looking for ship builders.

    “We will soon embark on construction of other sea going vessels, including, ferries, barges, fishing trawlers among others.

    “We need to build about four ferries for Calabar-Oron and another four ferries for Bonny- Port Harcourt. For Oron we are going to build a fishing fleet to boost the economy.

    However, the shipyard would officially be commissioned by the state government on Saturday 30th January, 2021at the company’s ship yard in Oruk-Anam with the unveiling of ‘MV Norfin Swift’, a 9 meter security patrol vessel.

  • Group convenes business summit to tackle COVID-19 downturn in A’Ibom

    Group convenes business summit to tackle COVID-19 downturn in A’Ibom

    An Economic Group in Akwa Ibom has convened a business leadership summit to tackle the uncertainties and negative impact of corona virus pandemic on the economy as well as businesses in the State.

    Convener of the summit, Manti Umoh in a press statement on Monday said the event, tagged, ‘Leading in the midst of uncertainty,’ is slated for Friday, 29 January, 2021 and would feature keynote speakers including a former Executive Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil, Mr Udom Inoyo, former Speaker of Akwa Ibom Assembly Barr Onofiok Luke, Justice Ifiok Ukana(Rtd.), renowned entrepreneur, Mr. Ubong Obot, Mr. Magnus Chukwumah and Ms. Mmanti Umoh.

    Umoh explained that the Speakers were carefully selected to share their wealth of experience in proffering solutions to problems and building meaningful connections as well as inspiring change across the State’s ‘diverse multi-stakeholder communities’.

    The convener who harped on the need for public private partnership in driving the economy said gone are the days when people had solitary attitude towards a burning issue and achieve result adding, ‘there is an urgent need for local stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.”

    Describing the negative impact of covid 19 as a wake-up call to the society , Umoh sued for equal, inclusive, and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics and many other local changes that may come up.

    On the objectives of the summit, Umoh said, “our objective is to find ways to address issues at the heart of business by developing sustainable and scalable tactics and frameworks that corporations, governments, and community groups can use to tackle these issues together.

    “COVID-19 and the related economic turmoil has put a strain on businesses around the state and poses an existential threat for many enterprises. We want to enable companies to navigate this uncertainty and turn unpredictability into resourceful innovation.

    “The inconsistencies, inadequacies, and contradictions of multiple systems –from health and finance to energy and education – are more exposed than ever amidst a global context of concern for lives, livelihoods, and the planet. Leaders find themselves at a historic crossroads, managing short-term pressures against medium- and long-term uncertainties.

    “With this in view, there is an urgent need for local stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.”

    She however stressed that Akwa Ibom citizens deserved an economy where each person can succeed through hard work and creativity noting that the free-market system is the best means of generating a strong and sustainable economy as well as an economic opportunity for all.