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Tag: A’Ibom

A’Ibom debunks insinuations of substandard boats for fish farmers
Akwa Ibom State government has described as untrue insinuations that boats recently received by the state government for fish farmers were substandard.
The boats according to the state commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor in an interview with newsmen in Uyo yesterday were part of items supplied by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA for the 2020 flood disaster and has since been distributed to the affected farmers.
Offor who said that the state government even provided logistics for the lifting of the boats and other components for the farmers however wondered why people should describe the boats as unfit when the benefitting fish farmers did not complain about the condition of the boats.
The commissioner explained that same size and quality of boats were also supplied by NEMA to other states as part of the intervention without complaints from those states.
She said that 200 fish farmers benefitted from the donation even as NEMA also supplied other components like collapsible ponds, floats, fingerlings and feeds to ameliorate the flooding.
“It is not true that the boats are substandard. They are not substandard. If they are good in Rivers and Bayelsa, they will also be good in Akwa Ibom.
“What they gave to Rivers and Bayelsa which have more Riverine areas was the same thing they gave to Akwa Ibom and if the farmers in those other states are using them then they shouldn’t have shortchanged us.
“And the fact is that the beneficiaries did not complain not only about the boats but other components too. The state government even provided logistics for them to transport the components back to their different locations.
“So when people complain that the boats were substandard, it is not true. NEMA will not give anything that it’s substandard. Governor Udom Emmanuel is a man of excellence and even if they have given substandard things, the Governor will not allow us to share it. The things were also certified by our different directorates to be good.
“Then the boats were in different sizes, some for small waters and others for larger bodies of waters and they have started using them.
But the interventions are in degrees and batches and the farmers that the size of boats supplied were useful for benefitted from them while others will be addressed and attended to in subsequent interventions.” The commisioner explained.
Offor said the state government has also included fish farmers in several of the ministry’s programmes and policies adding that they just like other farmers were also entitled to loan facilities from the state government owned agric bank.
She called for understanding and constructive criticism from indegenes and residents of the state on government programmes and policies.
July 19, 2022
Police rescue 28 kidnapped fishermen in A’Ibom
By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
The Police in Akwa Ibom have rescued 28 fishermen kidnapped by a gang of sea pirates operating along the Athlantic coast in Akwakpa, in Uruan Local Council of the state.
State Police Commissioner , Olatoye Durosinmi who disclosed this while interacting with journalists in Uyo on Friday, said the fishermen were rescued through intelligence.
Durosinmi explained that he drafted marine officers who were able to rescue the victims at the creeks, where they were held hostage for over eight hours as soon as authorities were alerted of their kidnap adding that the pirates always pose as fishermen to carry out their nefarious act on unsuspecting fishermen.
“The 28 men and women you see here are the people rescued by police marine officers. The victims at about 18: 00hrs yesterday were attacked on the sea by a five man gang pirates. They seized their boat and put them where they will not come out.
“These men of the underworld will pretend to be fishermen and we’ve actually caught five of them before and they are in detention, the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.
” The five armed gang pretending to be fishermen bumped into them and asked them to get into the boat. Fortunately, one of them had the phone number of the local government chairman who later alerted me. The usual practice is that they go out on Thursday and come back on a Sunday.
“They were there all through the night searching where they were and by 10:00hr my officers found them around a creek with their boats. As I speak, the detachment of the marine officers are still trailing the suspects.” The commisioner explained.
He said that the command would conduct a thorough medical check on the victims and thereafter reunite them to their families even as he promised to continue to ensure that the state”s land and water remain safe for the people.
“I have taken care of them and I will take them to police clinic and they will be released to members of their family soon. I want to assure the public that I will do all within my powers to ensure that Akwa Ibom is safe both land and sea.” Durosinmi said.
One of the victims, Victoria Pius said they were traders while the pirates collected all their money running into millions of Naira.
“I go there to buy fish. They collected about N1million from me alone, which was part of a loan I collected which I pay back N100, 000 monthly including money given to me by other people to buy things for them.
“They carried us to a place we didn’t know, they covered our faces, striped me to ensure I didn’t hide the money in my privates.
“They shot in the air severally, beat us mercilessly before collecting our things. They also carried our three boat engines. Thank God that police came this morning and rescued us.” She narrated.
July 15, 2022
CLO faults A’Ibom Assembly on Constitution Amendment
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), in Akwa Ibom has said that the recent stakeholders meeting convened by the State House of Assembly on the alteration of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria did not meet the expectations of the people.
It has therefore called on the Assembly to re-organise a public hearing on the transmitted Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bills, 2022 for the people of the state to actively participate in the amendment of the Constitution
This was contained in a statement endorsed by its state chairman, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and its Chairman, Intergovernmental Committee, Barr. Godknows Njoku made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday.
The organization insisted that the just concluded “Stakeholders Meeting” put together by the Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee on the Transmitted Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bills, 2022 and chaired by House Leader Comrade Udo Kierian Akpan was inadequate.
The human rights group expressed disappointment that the two days event which took place last week was poorly organised and fell below the standard of all known parliamentary practices.
According to the CLO, “stakeholders invited to such an important parliamentary exercise were not given draft copies of the proposed amendments to the Nigerian Constitution prior to the event and were not given at the event either, hence it was practically impossible for stakeholders to make contributions that will form part of inputs from the people of Akwa Ibom State.”
It maintained that, “the whole exercise was conducted in a manner as though the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly had a premeditated position to transmit to the National Assembly without the inputs of Akwa Ibom people.”
The pro-democracy group therefore called on the State Assembly to re-organise a public hearing, “whose outcome would reflect the wishes and aspirations of the Akwa Ibom people in the making of the Nigerian Constitution.”
July 15, 2022
Black market petrol retailer sets undergraduate ablaze in A’Ibom
An undergraduate with the Obio Okpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) identified as Enwongo Akpan has suffered severe burns after he was set ablaze by a road side petrol dealer following an argument.
It was gathered that the Akpan, a 200 level student in the Department of Philosophy had purchased N500 petrol from the roadside petrol dealer but it failed to power his generator.
An argument had ensured after the student not satisfied with the quality of the product , had approached the dealer for explanation accusing him of selling adultrated petrol.
An eyewitness, Idongesit Akpan told newsmen that the dealer in the course of the argument had collected the petrol, poured it on his victim and ignited a light on him to prove that the petrol is unadulterated, before he caught fire while bystanders scampered for safety.
Continuing, Akpan said the victim was rescued by villagers and students who alerted the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Nse Essien while he was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Abak for immediate treatment.
“The incident attracted attention of community leaders such as former Chairman of OrukAnam Prince Ubong Idiong who prevailed on the students to forestall reprisal action.
The victim was later transferred to another hospital in Uyo for better treatment.” He explained.
In a telephone interview , state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon confirmed the incident adding that the suspect escaped from the scene of the crime before police arrived for arrest.
” Yes we are aware of the incident. But the suspect escaped from the scene. Police is trailing the suspect now and will soon be brought to book.” Macdon said.
July 11, 2022
FG engages 35 Independent Monitors for NSIP in A’Ibom
The Federal Government has engaged 35 independent monitors to supervise the Second stream of the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP, in Akwa Ibom.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq made this known at the onboarding exercise for stream two Independent Monitors of the NSIP in Uyo.
Farouq said that the monitors were one of the most important components of the NSIP hence emphasis on ensuring the programme is closely monitored.
“The NSIP Independent monitors are responsible for monitoring the programme in their community in schools, households, and market clusters with the focus of ensuring that the primary objectives of the NSIPs are achieved.
“Today’s programme is very important and strategic as we train 35 additional men and women that will serve as stream two monitors.” She said.
Farouq, who was represented by Mrs Itoro Duku, the Team lead in the Ministry, said that monitoring at the state would require that the Independent monitors synergize with the state NSIP team as their work cannot be done in a vacuum.
She said that NSIP was created by President Muhammadu Buhari with the mandate of lifting citizens out of poverty through a number of Social Interventions which include the Job creation programme — N Power, National Home — Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCT) and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) in 2016.
The minister however warned Independent monitors against intimidating beneficiaries of the programme adding that any culprit would be taken off the programme.
Also speaking, Dr Godwin Akpan, the Akwa Ibom Focal Person said that the beneficiaries were carefully selected for the NSIP programme and urged them to partner with the focal persons in order to ensure full compliance and achieve set objectives.
Akpan lamented that the stream 1 beneficiaries did not perform well, saying that such actions could jeopardize the dreams of Buhari lifting 100 million people out of poverty by 2030.
July 11, 2022
A’Ibom community gives Ilajes fresh conditions for reintegration
Mkpanak community in Ibeno Local Council, hosts of the Ilaje fishing community in Akwa Ibom has given their displaced tenants strident conditions for their reintegration back to the community.
This is coming two months after crisis rocked the fishing community with several homes, mostly belonging to the Ilajes razed down and several persons reported dead.
It would be recalled that the communal clash which broke out between the two on Tuesday April 19,2022 led to the displacement of over 10,000 Ilaje residents most of whom are still hanging around church premises and filling stations in Eket local government area.
The terms and conditions issued by the host community for the reintegration of the Ilaje people contained in a documents and handed over to the representatives of Ilaje people in the last meeting with the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, it was learnt was basically meant to “instill mutual respect between the two communities and prevent further disagreement and rancour”
The two page document also includes boat management and landing fees, fishing expedition and community responsibilities.
Some of the provisions of the new conditions include that, “no visitor, non Indigenes of Ibeno will buy directly from any fishing boat at the beach and anyone liable will pay a fine of 20,000 only. All catches including gray fish and other fishes up to five basins shall be sold at the ratio of 2:3 to Mkpanak and Ilaje women.
“Catches from Tilapia draw nets will be bought by Ibeno LG women at the ratio aforementioned. Ibeno indigenes will have the first right of refusal of buying from any boats at any location. All gray fish and other fishes measured in basins or in whole will attract compulsory sale tax of N300 only payable to Ibeno women association with receipt” among others.”
However, not satisfied with all the terms and conditions, a representative of the Ilaje, Mr. James Ajele who spoke with journalists after the meeting said Ilaje people are prepared to abide by the conditions as stipulated in the documents but complained of some items which he said do not go down well with their collective interests.
He therefore appealed to state government and Ibeno local government to intervene while urging the Ibeno community to temper justice with mercy by totally reviewing the said sections.
Efforts to speak with the Paramount ruler, HRM Ovong Effiong Achianga was not successful as at the time of filing this report.
July 7, 2022
NYSC faults rape claims on A’Ibom Corpers Lodge
The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Akwa Ibom has refuted allegations of rape on female corps members during an armed robbery attack at their Lodge in Uyo.
It however admitted that the corps members were robbed with some of their belongings including phones and laptops stolen by the robbers who attacked the lodge in the early hours of Wednesday.
A statement from the State NYSC Cordinator, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday described as false allegations of rape reported by some media houses.
The statement said that a visit to the lodge by the Coordinator in company of the state Police Commissioner Mr Olatoye Durosinmi revealed that no corp member was raped.
“To put the unfortunate incident in proper perspective, the State Coordinator, NYSC Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwe in company of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, visited the Corps members for an on the spot assessment.
“While there, it was confirmed that 21 Corps members occupy the said property. The interaction with the Corps members further revealed that an attack on them was actually carried out by thieves at about 1am this morning.
“In the process, the invaders took their valuables including phones, Laptops and some cash. They confirmed that NO bodily harm was meted on them, and NO CORPS MEMBER WAS RAPED.
“While the actions and intentions of those criminal elements remained condemnable, we passionately appeal to social media operators, to exercise restraint and not trivialize such unfortunate incident as the consequences on the psychology of parents and guardians of Corps members in the state would be dangerously affected.” It explained.
It however noted that the Police has assured the Corps members and members of the public that an investigation on the matter has been launched and that the culprits will soon be apprehended even as the Commissioner has equally detailed surveillance around the area with a promise to extend same to other Corps lodges.
“Accordingly, the State Coordinator in the State has reaffirmed that there was no incident of rape. She therefore urges the Corps members in the State to go about their lawful duties and make use of the security phone lines already provided, while in distressed situations.” The statement concluded.
July 7, 2022
NISafetyE warns of impending erosion disaster in A’Ibom
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE) has warmed relevant agencies of government of impending gully erosion disaster in many parts of Eket Local Council of A’Ibom.
NISafetyE President, Engr Akaninyene Ekong gave the warning in Eket yesterday when he led a delegation of experts from the Institution on an on the spot assessment of roads affected by gully erosion in the oil city.
Ekong while giving an assessment of the state of the roads including Isong Udoito Street ,Umana Ndon ,Mkpok streets observed that, gully erosion has collapsed both sides of the roads, making it unsafe for motorists and passers-by with many properties already destroyed.
He ststed that the structural integrity of the culverts and roads have been seriously compromised warning that if urgent intervention is not taken to check mate the situation more properties would be swept away by gully erosion.
“Already, the menace of this gully erosion has rendered many homeless with properties destroyed. As rainy season begins, the situation is worsening as some part of the canal embankment has caved in.
“Pedestrian, motorist and residents within the area are at risk as the roads can be washed away at any time especially with the onset of the heavy rains.” He said.
The NISafetyE Boss stated that the NISafetyE is a division established by the Nigerian Society of Engineers with a mandate to prevent failures in Engineered Systems such as industrial process upset , roads ,buildings, bridges collapse , transportation through the adherence to Safety/Engineering Codes and Standards to ensure both Industrial and Public Safety.
“As an institution, our immediate intervention and role on this situation is to firstly, communicate the hazard to the public/ motorist plying this road about the gully erosion danger ahead and also call on the State Ministry of Environment , the Eket Local Government Council Chairman for urgent intervention by closing the affected roads until repairs are made.” He said.
Ekong however stated that the NISafetyE has strategically positioned physical barriers that would communicate the gully erosion danger ahead and called for urgent action by government to prevent deaths in the area adding that, “we must not wait for people to die before action is taken.”
June 30, 2022
A’Ibom Approves N.2M Annual Scholarship for Undergraduates
Akwa Ibom state government has approved the sum of N200,000, annually, for undergraduates under the State Government Tertiary Scholarship Scheme.
State commissioner for information and strategy Comrade Ini Ememobong who made this known in a statement after a meeting of the State Executive Council in Uyo yesterday explained that the scheme is to aid 500 intelligent but indigent undergraduates of the state origin, studying in Public Tertiary Institutions in the country.
“The Scholarship Award is in the sum of N200,000 per session. The Ministry of Education and State Scholarships Board are to publish the eligibility criteria for candidates. EXCO mandated the HC-Education to ensure that the processes for the selection of the beneficiaries are transparent.
“This scholarship is provided to link the tertiary education sector to the already existing Free and Compulsory Education Policy of government currently running at the Primary and Secondary levels.” The statement said.
The state government he also said approved the re-award of contract for the construction of Cottage Hospital, Ukanafun to executed within 130 days.
It also approved the Construction of 5.0 KM Elei-Osu -Offi group of villlages with 60M Span bridge in Okobo and Urue Offong/Oruko Local Councils and the Construction of Nkari-Mbiabong-Ibuno Okpro-Mbente-Obbrong- Anwafia road in Ini Local Council.
Meanwhile Governor Udom Emmanuel has inaugurated the State Steering Committee of the Nigeria For Women Project.
The committee which would be chaired by Deputy Governor Mr. Moses Ekpo also has the Commissioners of Women Affairs, Finance, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rural development and Cooperatives, Agriculture, Economic Development and Chairmen of ONNA, Oruk Anam and Ibesikpo Asutan Local Councils and representives of the Private sector, NGO and CSO as members.
The Nigeria for Women Project is a five year operation of the Federal Government with the support of the World bank aimed at ensuring gender equality and improving the economic fortunes of women.
June 28, 2022
Stakeholders fault A’Ibom PDP Reconciliation Committee over non inclusion
Some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom has faulted the recently constituted Reconciliation Committee for not accommodating represenratives from aggrieved members.
They told newsmen in Uyo yesterday that the committee headed by Senator Effiong Bob is composed of only members of Maintain Peace Movement,MPM, a group in the party, and expressed fears that it would not be able to address the complaints of disenchanted memers.
One of the chieftains and a former chairman of the House of Assembly Service Commission, Chief Andrew Unwanta expressed dissapointment over the membership of the committee saying it was meant to fail on it’s mission right from the start.
“The committee to me is tilted towards MPM and I don’t think they really want to reconcile aggrieved members of the party because if they are sincere they could have also brought in people outside MPM.
“It could have been broadbased to accommodate people outside MPM, so for me the committee is merely an extension of the MPM structure. I have strong doubts if they really want genuine reconciliation because with what I am seeing in the membership of the committee the PDP leadership in Akwa Ibom do not actually want genuine reconciliation.
“This is important because they ought to have made the membership to include representation from aggrieved members who were disenfranchised especially during the ward congresses.” Unwanta explained.
Another chieftain and a governorship aspirant of the party Chief Owodiong Idemeko expressed doubts over the sincerity in setting up the committee but said he would still give them benefit of the doubt untill they complete their task.
On complaints over the committee not being broad based Idemeko was quick to point out that the current leadership of the party in the state has never accommodated the interest of other people than those of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s favoured aspirant, Mr Umoh Eno.
“It has been like this right from the beginning. The right thing could have been to include representation from the aggrieved members. In my mind it is a winner takes all approach they have adopted but I don’t want to second guess, when the committee invites me I will say my mind.
“But before then we will wait and see what they will offer in terms of sincerity in addressing complaints of aggrieved members especially stakeholders who felt slighted with the way the party carried out the process of electing it’s gubenatorial flagbearer.” He stated.
The PDP had a forthnigh ago inaugurated an 11-man reconcilation committee to help the party address differences that may have arisen during the processs of the just concluded party nominations.
State PDP chairman, Mr Aniekan Akpan, who acknowledged the existence of divergent concerns and grievances among members of the party had expressed the committment of the party in addressing disagreements adding that the umbrella of the party is big enough to cover everyone.
“After the primaries, our party candidates emerged while others did not win the party’s tickets. This may have caused them and their supporters to feel bad and perhaps discouraged.
“We value our members and we love to continue as one big family always this is why we thought it necessary to set up this Committee and we are sure that the committee will achieve the goals and objectives which the Party is out to achieve.
“As a party, we have a responsibility to reach out to everyone who holds a differing opinion from the outcome of the event, encourage them and help them restore their bearings as respected party men and women in the big umbrella family.
“We also need to reinvigorate their faith, hope and confidence in the PDP as the only party that holds a better future for them and the sustainable peace, development and prosperity of Akwa Ibom State.” Akpan had said.
June 28, 2022