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Tag: A’Ibom

A’Ibom : Why I opted for a parallel PDP guber Primary – Enyong
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
Mr Mike Enyong, who claimed to be the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom,has said he went for a parallel guber primary last month to ensure that the party would have a candidate in next year’s election.
According to Enyong his recent actions would be the only reason the party would be on the ballot papers next year following the myriads of court cases against the gubenatorial candidate of the party certified the national leadership, Mr Umoh Enoh.
He told neswmen in Uyo yesterday that his opting for a pararell governorship primary where he emerged with over 2000 votes from 2744 statutory delegates was based on his deep understanding of the current electoral act and the constitution of the country.
“My adversaries looking for every opportunity to blackmail and tarnish my hard earned reputation are doing so because they know I have beaten them to their game. I am waiting for July 15th for the people to understand that I am the rightful candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa ibom state.
“The court had asked for status quo ante bellum in the case brought before it over the fraudulent selection of some people as Adhoc delegates but they went ahead and used them to pick their preferred aspirant but I understood the implication of being part of the sham and opted for the primaries with statutory delegates with the INEC as observers and officials from the national secretariat of our dear party.” He explained.
The National Assembly member urged those working against him to rather pull their energies into his drive to ensure that Akwa ibom state remained in the grip of PDP beyond 2023.
He maintained that he should be celebrated stressing that the May 18th Abuja High Court order on adhoc delegates with status quo ante bellum automatically left the party with no adhoc delegates to conduct governorship primaries for the party.
“That order still subsists as we speak today, I am the rightful candidate of the party and the next governor of Akwa ibom state.” He maintained.
Speaking on his recent empowerment being distorted by detractors with fake people paraded on social media as disappointed beneficiaries, the lawmaker explained that every genuine beneficiary captured in his list has been empowered with promised N1Million each.
“I am already looking forward to having another round of empowerment to spread more democratic dividends to greater number of our people, anybody claiming not to have received my empowerment after the last outing is either not part of the original list or failed to meet the guidelines streamlined for the beneficiaries to follow up and cash out the money. I am owing nobody.” He explained.
Enyong further described as laughable the trending video of a youth alleging that he got a paltry N1000 after voting as a delegate in the primaries that produced him as a candidate saying that he can’t even give beggars on the street N1000.
” I don’t know him, they are using him to blackmail me, he is not part of the exercise, go and ask all statutory delegates that participated to get a clearer picture.” He concluded.
June 23, 2022
A’Ibom APC chieftain flays Igini over stance on Guber Candidate
A gubernatorial aspirant of the APC in Akwa Ibom, Prof Chris Ekong, has described as fallacy, insinuations by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr Mike Igini that the party has no governorship candidate in the state.
Ekong told newsmen in Uyo yesterday that whatever sentiments expressed by Igini were personal and not the position of INEC adding that the guber primary that produced Mr Akan Udofia as candidate was sanctioned by the national leadership of the APC.
“I am very happy they are saying that APC might not have a guber candidate. The ‘might’ in their statement tells you explicitely that they are merely insunuating, but I want to tell you that APC has a guber candidate. Primaries were well conducted and the person who won was Akan Udofia.
“Don’t forget I was part of the primaries as an aspirant. I know some of the aspirants want to be talked to while some want to play the spoilers’ role.
“It is even unfortunate that one of us who was thep National Secretary of the party and supretended over elections to elect people to fill the leadership structure of the party could not have even an ex officio member in the leadership of the party in the State, from the ward to state chapter levels of the party. And if that has happened and he wants to stoke fire, he can go ahead. These are the things they have been doing and profiting from.
” But coming round to say we don’t have a governorship candidate is a fairytale and amusing and who are they using to garnish their story, they are using Igini.” The former state Youth and Sports Commisioner said.
He expressed regret that Igini has allowed his personal issues with some politicians in the state to override his official assignment.
“You see, Igini works for INEC and he is not the chairman of INEC and he is not INEC and he is privy to the fact that APC National Caretaker Committee, represented by Buni and Udoedeghe went to Court and were defeated at the lower court. They went to Appeal Court but later used their hands to withdraw the case, saying and affirming that they recognize Ntukekpo as the State Chairman of APC in Akwa Ibom State.
“The national leadership of APC wrote to Mr. Ntukekpo to inform INEC in the State to come and monitor the APC governorship primaries in the State, and Igini sat here and said no, Ntukekpo can never be even when INEC was part of the Court process. I think something is wrong somewhere. This is suggestive of growing insinuations on ground that Mr. Igini is a ‘factional leader or Chairman of INEC’.
“What I want to tell Akwa Ibom people is to forget that negative propaganda. Akwa Ibom APC has a governorship candidate and he is Akan Udofia and by next week he will be given the flag and when he collects the flag we will bring it here.” Ekong said.
He maintained that the party is no longer factionalized after the exit of the group that perpetuated crisis adding that unity and reconciliation remained key to the party winning the governorship election which has eluded it since 2011.
“For now there is no faction in the APC in the state. Members can have issues which happen in every party especially after primaries of this nature. But there is always room for reconciliation. The person that wanted to create factions have moved to NNPP and he is happy there.
“So my message to all APC faithfuls is that there is no time as beautiful as now for us to take power. We have been trying since 2011 and this is our time.
“For people that read the Bible, when Jonah was in the boat, people in the boat experienced turbulence and the boat could not sail freely and when they decided to put Jonah out of the boat some of them pitied him that he will die but they still had to.put him out of the boat and immediately that happened the boat returned to its peace and everybody was happy.
“This is what has happened to APC in Akwa Ibom. We are back to our point and position of peace and the turbulence is over, it is now for our members to come, let us hold our hands together and work our party to victory in Akwa Ibom.” Ekong concluded.
In the meantime, another chieftain of the party, Barr. Victor Iyanam has called on the leader of the party in the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s to expediate action aimed at uniting that party and reconciling aggrieved members inorder to reposition the APC to win next year’s governorship election in the state.
Iyanam, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom said such move would save the party from further disintegration and strengthen it to effectively challenge the PDP in next year’s gubernatorial election in the state.
“We are lucky to have a former Governor and minister in the person of Senator Godswill Akpabio and so I am calling on him to convene a caucus meeting so we can contribute our ideas towards uniting the party. He should talk to people in a way that will boost their confidence and create cohesion within the party so that we can move forward.
“We should be celebrating that we have someone like him to counter what the PDP is doing but unfortunately I don’t know if it is the former minister we should blame or the people hanging around him that are causing the disintegration of party leaders. It is very sad that all of us have invested so much in the party since 2014 and some people are coming to spoil it for everybody.” He said.
June 16, 2022
More Schools to benefit from Denmark’s SF4SM programme in A’Ibom
The Danish government has promised to involve more Schools in it’s School Feeding for School Meal,SF4SM, project, meant to improve the nutrition of primary school pupils in Akwa Ibom.
Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sune Krogstrup made this known yesterday at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the peoject in Uyo.
Krogstrup who was represented by a senior official in the Consular Office Mr Poul Erikstrup said that farming remained an important aspect of Danish economy adding that the project was part of some value chains involving small targeted projects in Nigeria.
Krogstrup stated that the philosophy of the project remained what is already known but doing it in a more effective way added that this would help to influence the food pschy and mentality of children for improved nutrition.
The ambassador who said that knowledge sharing remained a strongest aspect of the project called on stakeholders to increase efforts inorder to sustain this new nutrition culture.
He commended Akwa Ibom government for their strong support and recommendation adding that not only would the project help school and stakeholders to preserve resources, it would also help increase collaboration between Denmark and stakeholders.
Executive Director of Africa’s Children Aid, Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF), who are the implementing partners, Mr David Umem in a remark said the project solely funded by the government of Denmark is meant for children who go to school hungry and finding it difficult to concentrate in their studies.
Umem said the maiden edition involved four schools but is working towards all schools in the state having a farm and fish pond, growing 70% of what the children eat in school, with the model meant to be handed over to the Federal Government to improve it’s school feeding programme.
“The project is an answer to pupils taking responsibility, an answer that no child should go to school hungry and that pupils have eqaul opportunity to learn and grow.
“The project helps to sustain interest of kids in school and inculcate the spirit of self reliance on them.” The Executive Director said.
He commended the Measurements and Evaluation consultants for developing the model for the success of the project and School based management for their interest, committment and sense of responsibility.
Project Manager, Mrs Nyenime Bassey explained that the project incorporated the crop, Aquaculture and nutrition components and involves fish pond and farms and innovative green houses to reduce cost.
Bassey commended stakeholders for their committment and interest and called for increased committment to enable the Danes expand on the project.
Krogstrup had earlier in the company of Ms Elizabeth Ulla Muller, United Nation Population Fund(UNFPA) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Poul Jacob Erikstrup and Victoria Epelle from the Consular office in Lagos paid a visit to ACAEDF – Land of Hope Childrrn Centre in Eket to see the level of work with the School Farm for School Meal (SF4SM) Project.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Multilateral & Donor Agencies, Mr Ndiana-Abasi Udom was also part of the visit on behalf of Akwa Ibom State Government.
June 8, 2022
Flight, Erosion control projects gulp N50B in A’Ibom
Akwa Ibom State government has said it has so far spent about N50 billion on flood control projects in the state in the last seven years.
It has also said that the N14 billion IBB Way World Bank assisted major flood control project in Uyo would be put into use at the end of the month, ending months of frustration and anxiety from residents over the growing menace of flooding in the state capital.
State commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr Charles Udoh who disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo last weekend said some of the major flood control projects include those on IBB Way, Etim Umana Street, Ikpa road, Anua in Uyo and several others in other parts of the state.
Udoh however blamed constant rain for the delay in the timely completion and delivery of many of the erosion control projects in the state.
Besides rain, the Commisioner explained other secondary issues such as activities of vandals and the attitude of some residents on compensation payment slowed down the pace of work especially on the IBB Way flood control project which has exceeded it’s completion period by six months.
According to him, “If you recount almost eight months, last year, work was stalled because of rain, we had a very unusual amount of rainfall and once the rain falls there is hardly any significant thing you , can do on these project sites, especially earth works,because once the soil is moisturized you can’t compact, that is why you see the work hasn’t been done.
“Rain has been a major challenge, because anytime it rains it takes us about three days to recover. Another issue is the attitude of people for instance, a gentleman collected compensation fee on his asset and goes behind to petition the state government to world bank that we didn’t pay him, and unfortunately for him he thinks that we are not aware.
“What we do in compensation is that if we are paying you, we will do evaluation, an international standard evaluation with a consultant too, your village head, chairman of the village council, youth leader etc will confirm your ownership of the asset and they will be present before giving you the compensation and we take pictures.
“So this gentleman goes round saying that we didn’t pay him. Of course, the World bank knows how to settle such matters, for me it heartbreaking because this gentleman’s house was perpetually under the water and we are coming to help him take him out of his misery, but he is there trying to frustrate us,atleast he is not the only one who has done this there are many of them who do these things because of selfish interest.
“We also have issues where in the precast drain, vandals have gone there to vandalise. The sad thing is that when the precast drain is being built, there are protruding rods that form the joinings to make it compact. At the dearth of the night, people will go and cut those rods and when you cut the rods that precast membrane is useless; it’s not going to stand alone.”
The cimmissioner however expressed joy that despite the hicupps, work has reached 95% completion with the drain works.
“Now we are almost 95% done with the main drain, we have completed the alignment from state secretariat, what is remaining is to join it with the one at Atiku Abubakar Avenue.
“We have done parameter fencing in places where they are required especially in IBB Avenue, because if water sweeps someone there, such person is gone so we are going to put filters there just majorly for two reasons, one for safety of human lives and for it not to be a den of robbers or hoodlums.
“We are just trying to be a bit fast because the world bank granted us one month extension so we are just working day and night to beat the deadline. The World bank window was closed last month, May, so as it stands now all the works need to be done on or before the end of June, even if the work is not completely done but at least before the end of June, water must be able to move from IBB to a the outfall comfortably.” Udoh said.
June 6, 2022
A’Ibom APC Guber aspirant backs Udofia’s candidature
A frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom, Prof Chris Ekong has endorsed the candidature of Mr Akan Udofia who was elected last week by party delegates.
Ekong, a former commissioner for youths and sports in the state told correspondents on Tuesday in Uyo that the clarification was necessitated following contrary opinions from some members of the party on his stand in the election.
He said he was not compromised to take his stand adding that his action was for the unity and progress of the party.
“As esteemed practitioners in the Fourth Estate of the realm, you wi however, recall that soon after the conduct and conclusion of the A Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries in Akwa Ibom State had promptly issued a Press Statement declaring my clear stand a unconditional acceptance of the entire outcome of that well respected an celebrated exercise.
“I did this, first as a frontline contender in the said race; but most important as a critical participant in the exercise; and whose ultimate interest was emerge as the most preferred and acceptable choice of our great party.
“The grand desire was expectedly projected to be thrown up as the genera expressed goodwill of a majority delegates of our great party, to whom I respectfully solicited their popular mandate to fly and indeed, bear the flag our great party as her prime candidate in the upcoming gubernate elections of 2023.
“However, with the close of that august and benchmark event which saw one of the most accomplished sons of our great state emerge and become declared the democratically preferred choice of our esteemed delegates at the polls, I had acted in the true spirit of sportsmanship, appreciated and as well, accepted the position and decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as being sacrosanct and supreme in the concluded exercise.” He explained.
He blamed some chieftains of the party for their irresponsible role in the primary election describing them as serial political entrepreneurs who had in the past exploited suffering members of the party.
“Gentlemen of the Press, I can boldly therefore reveal that the action of some of these respected and not too respected compatriots, in the APC is nothing new.
“They are deliberately setting it on course, to however, grapple with the destiny of the party; and themselves, remaining some serial political entrepreneurs whose traditional stock-in-trade is to trade the fortunes of the party for their often see through personal and vaulted gains.
“But the times, certainly have changed and we perhaps need to see these in the critical light of our political history as a political party in Akwa Ibom State. Let me transparently present the APC history and fate in this manner.
“The APC Akwa Ibom State since 2015 has suffered several bouts of self inflicted loses at the polls. Many of the loses had derived from inflexibility of persons who had contested for the rights to the gubernatorial slot of the party with venom that makes them decide that they cannot at any point accept the choice of the party men and women except, when such decisions were taken exclusively in their particular favour.” He said.
He maintained that the major interest of genuine members of the party remained to win elections pointing out that any, ” every obstacle on our road and quest to realize this must be avoided. We must accept the choice of the people and that of the party as a sacrosanct mandate that should be allowed to rule the day.”
May 31, 2022
A’Ibom to add 10 Airbuses to Ibom Air fleet
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has said that 10 new Airbuses would soon be added to the fleet of Akwa Ibom government owned Ibom Airlines Limited.
The airline which already has five Bombardier aircrafts and two Airbuses has become a toast of the county’s aviation industry since it commenced commercial operations three years ago.
Emmanuel who made this known in a broadcast to the people of the state yesterday expressed joy that despite sceptisms, the establishment of Ibom Air has become a testament to the creativity and strategic planning of the present administration in the state.
“Today, Ibom Air with a fleet of 7 aircrafts, comprising 5 CRJ 900 Bombardier series and two brand new Airbuses A300-220 series with ten more brand new Airbuses soon to be added to its fleet, has raised the profile of our State, and has made the ease of doing business in our State, appealing.
“It has provided jobs to hundreds of our people. Our youths are being trained in aircraft maintenance and in flying schools to become commercial pilots. Ibom Air represents and has made manifest the biblical assertion that “when men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up.
“We are embarking on total aviation development. Our MRO, (Maintain, Repair and Overhaul) facility is 85 percent complete. Once commissioned, hopefully by October this year, this facility will again create jobs for our people and bring in foreign exchange to our State.” He said.
The Victor Attah International Airport Terminal, with a capacity to process at least one million passengers a year, the governor said would be the smartest and most intelligent in the country when commissioned.
“With the capacity to process over one million passengers a year, and fitted with the most current technology available, The Akwa Ibom Airport is poised to make our State an aviation hub in the Gulf of Guinea.
“This facility has also provided hundreds of jobs to our teeming youths, and once completed, would add hundreds more, thus fulfilling one of the central campaign promises we made: Job creation. Our Taxiway, the longest in the nation’s aviation space, will soon be commissioned.
“Fellow Akwaibomites, there is no doubt that in seven years, the story of our growth in the aviation sector is being written in golden lines and more chapters will be added. We should feel proud of this huge achievement.” He explained.
He warned against toxic comments and actions that could pitch the people against themselves and impact negatively on the prevailing peace in the state.
“As the political season dawns on us, I wish to urge our political stakeholders and our youths not to poison the waters of our unity with toxic political rhetoric or to engage in violence.
“I will never be tired of repeating this line that politics will come and politics will go, but the soul and the essence of the Akwa Ibom enterprise will remain an abiding spirit and letter of our collective engagements.Let us eschew violence and embrace the understanding that in any political contest, there must be a winner and the winner should reach out and embrace the side that didn’t win.
“Winners have emerged, and I urged our people to line up behind the people who have been nominated to continue pushing the levers of development of our State and ensure that the gains we have made in the last seven years are not frittered away.
“Akwa Ibom has been an oasis of peace and tranquillity, the fundamentals of growth are rock-solid, all over the nation, and people are wondering how we were able to achieve such spectacular successes across sectors.” He concluded.
May 31, 2022
YPP Elects Pastor as chairman in A’Ibom
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The Young Progressives Party, YPP, last weekend inaugurated a new executive to pilot the affairs of the party in Akwa Ibom in the next four years as part of its Strategy to take over the governance of the state in 2023.
Those elected to run the affairs of the party in the state include; Mr Nyeneime Andy,a popular Uyo based pastor as Chairman, Mr Wisdom Udoaka, as deputy chairman, Mr Kelvin Umoh as the Secretary and Mr Akan Emah as the State Publicity Secretary, among others.
Mr Olawale Martins, National Publicity Secretary of YPP, who conducted the election into the state executive chapter of the party said the the party is a people orientated movement and though was small, has grown to greater heights.
Martins added that members of the party are passionate men and women, who are tired of the way things were being done in the state and country.
“I want tell you that what started small has germinated and grown bigger than all of us. As we always say, YPP is more than a political party, it is a movement. We can see passionate party members here sitted.
“I see the YPP taking over Akwa Ibom state on the account of the strength of what I have seen here today.
“You can see passionate men and women who are tired of how things are being done in the state. They want a paradigm shift. They want something entirely new, something bold, something that can help them forge the way forward for the state.
“That is what you can see here from all the faces sitted. Those who have come with that intense passion to elect stakeholders that will pilot the affairs of the party in the next four years in Akwa Ibom state.” He said.
In his acceptance speech, the new state chairman promised to introduce new ethical values to lead the party to greatness.
Andy, who identified greed as the bane in Nigerian politics, said he would work to give a new orientation to members to drop the greed value and embrace greedless generation.
“I want to say first to the young people in Akwa Ibom state, thank you for the privilege to trust me in leadership. I have a single vision as Joshua to lead the people into fulfilment of the promises of God.
“I want to say this to the youths in Nigeria, now is our time for leadership. You see, it take a Joshua to take the children of Israel to the promise land and I am privileged by the grace that God has chosen me to lead Akwa Ibom into a new phase.
“I want to say this without mincing words that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and other elected representatives will come from Young Progressives Party.
“I will bring new cultural ethical values, because if you look at it people has dropped their values as leaders and greed has taken over everything. I will make sure, I set value and my number one value will be a greedless generation.
“Once the people are greed free, they will want to take others along. I will make sure the youths are are not going into violence anymore because our generation is all about strategy and intelligence.” He concluded.
May 29, 2022
Udofia emerges A’Ibom APC Governorship Candidate
Billionaire businessman and philantropist Mr Akanimo Udofia has emerged the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom.
Udofia got 1,227 votes out of 1,313 votes from delegates to beat eight other aspirants including Senator Ita Enang who scored 34 votes and a University Don, Prof Chris Ekong who got 21 votes.
Announcing the result of the election in Uyo yesterday, chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Nomination Committee Mr Omabatunde Ajibola gave votes scored by the other candidates to include Mr Uduak Udo(7), Akpan Udoedehe(2), Richard Anana(2), Larry Esin(1) and Austin Utuk(0) with 19 votes declared void.
In an acceptance speech, the APC guber candidate commended delegates for their resilence and conduct despite challenges and intimidations from undemocratic elements in the party.
He promised to unite and accommodate all stakeholders and aggrieved members of the party calling for greater unity and increased committment to enable the APC triumph in next year’s gubernatorial and general elections.
“I thank God with the way you conducted yourselves. Most especially party faithfuls who despite all challenges, intimidations from undemocratic forces, because the way certain the way certain people behaved today was certainly not anyway tenable in the life of an Akwa Ibom person.Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state and our people do not stand for anything not peaceful.
” I want to say that this is the beginning of a revolution. The Akwa Ibom APC have spoken very loud, you have indicated that true change will come to Akwa Ibom State come 2023. You have agreed that we are going to use our great party, the APC to institutionalize the dividends of democracy and it must cascade down to the last ward, to the last corner.
“We are going to build a greater Akwa Ibom State. It is going to be an enormous task but when I look at the resilence of each and everyone of you party faithfuls I know you are ready to join hands with me and together we are going to make Akwa Ibom a greater and better state.” He assured.
He commended ex minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio’s for his efforts at building the party and called for support for his presidential ambition.
“You also know our great son Senator Godswill Akpabio is running for the Presidency and just as you have done it for me today I will encourage all national delegates of our party to for him.The Akwa Ibom spirit is on the rise and I am calling on you to support our great son.
“Once again, party faithfuls, prosperity is coming to Akwa Ibom and to Nigeria through me and Senator Akpabio. I stand on your mandate and assure you all that come February 2023 with your support and committment APC will take over this state.” Udofia said.
State chairman of the party, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo had earlier commended delegates for their patience and committment towards the progress and unity of the party.
Ntukekpo who commended the electoral committee for sticking to the constitution of the party tasked stakeholders to eschew selfish interests and work towards streghtening the party inorder to enable it triumph in next year’s general elections in the state and country.
Meanwhile it was learnt that the primaries dragged into the early hours of Friday following delays caused an alleged attempt by one of the aspirants to hijack and divert election materials meant for the primary election from the state gubenatorial national electoral committee members on their way from the Victor Attach International Airport to the party Secretariat, venie of the primary election.
It was however gathered that the attempt was foiled by a detachment of the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) after almost four hours of standoff between supporters of the aspirants and security agencies along Oron road in Uyo.
May 27, 2022
Gov Emmanuel’s preferred aspirant, Enoh, wins PDP guber primary in A’Ibom
Governor Udom Emmanuel’s preferred aspirant and former land commissioner Mr Umoh Enoh has been declared the winner of Wednesday’s PDP gubenatorial primaries in Akwa Ibom.
Enoh, polled a total of 993 votes out of a total of 1018 accredited delegates to defeat 10 others including a woman in a primary which suffered withdrawals by three of the 14 aspirants.
The result announced by the chairman of the state gubenatorial primaries committee and Deputy Governor of Edo State Mr Philip Shauibu showed that Mr Akan Okon and Barr Onofiok Luke polled three votes each to finish a distant second.
Mr Aniekan Etim and Idorenyin James got two votes each with Mike Enyong, Bassey Akpan, Ide Owodiong and James Iniama scoring a vote each.
Shauibu who commended delegates for their conduct maintained that there was no loser in the contest as it was a family affair calling on those who lost to accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.
Earlier state chairman of the party Mr Aniekan Akpan restated the need for reconciliation inorder to assuage the feelings of those aggrieved.
Akpan said that the primary has been a model with the best aspirant expected to emerge after the exercise.
The chairman said the party has not compromised on rules while calling on those who could not win to take it in good conscience even as he said that the PDP remained the best hope for a better Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
In an acceptance speech, Enoh who described his emergence as solely the grace of God expressed profound gratitude to the delegates and Governor Udom Emmanuel for endorsing him.
He pledged not to dissapoint the party and the state for the confidence reposed on him and called on other aspirants to join hands with him to ensure that the party would eventually get victory at the polls next year.
May 25, 2022
A’Ibom, African Delta Power sign 732MW agreement for Phase2 of Ibom Power Plant
Akwa Ibom government and African Delta Power Limited have entered into a co-location power production pact to add additional 366 megawatts to the existing 191megawatts of the state-owned Ibom Power Plant located at Ikot Abasi Local Council of the state.
However, the gas turbine could generate up to 732Megawatts although Ibom Power would need to apply to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for licence expansion to cover the expanded license with as the current on-grid license stand at 685MW.
Signing the agreement on behalf of the State Government were the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, Chairman of Ibom Power, Engr. Etido Inyang and Secretary of the Company, Barr. Ime Asibong while Jemeriah Oluwaseun and Christabel Nwagum, CEO of African Delta and Secretary respectively, signed on behalf African Delta Power.
At the ceremony which held at the office of the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government and Chairman of the One-Stop Shop on Investment Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, it was disclosed that the proposed power plant would be developed as part of the phase 2 of the IPP.
The SSG stated that the agreement was “not an MOU but rather it is a step further, which has transited the MOU phase” adding that the proposed power project is under the ‘Power for All’ initiative of Governor Udom Emmanuel, which was inaugurated about two years ago by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Ekuwem urged the investors to follow up the agreement by living up to the letters as enshrined in the terms of the contract.
On the implementation of the project, the One-Stop Shop on Investment Committee Chairman urged the African Delta Power team to speed up the processes and abide by the roadmap agreed to by government for the project.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Etido Inyang said the first phase of Ibom power is already operational with an installed capacity of 191megawatts adding that Ibom Power has a license to generate 685megawatts of power which the proposed power plant will leverage on.
“We have a delta of the remainder of the license that which is 685megawatts. They are coming in with their first phase of 366megawatts with plans to expand to 732megawatts which we will get an additional license to support.” Inyang said.
Giving further insights, the Board Chairman revealed that the Company had received many bids from several investors that had shown firm interest to partner Ibom Power for its Phase 2 but African Delta Power has proven to be ‘outstanding’.
‘Their technical partners have been supportive and we have seen the turbines that are coming in. We have seen that they have evidence of funding that will be deployed in the installation of these turbines and they are going to commence groundbreaking within the first week of June.” He stated.
On how the project would be implemented within the stipulated nine months period, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of African Delta Power, Jeremiah Oluwaseun said, most of the turbines and the systems have been prefabricated so they are ready to be deployed with their foreign technical partners from the United States.
‘Once a few other things are put in place, these equipments will be shipped in, in phases for onward installation here.” Oluwaseun.
He said that Akwa Ibom was selected for the project because the state had the prerequisites for the project saying that the state, “has the gas, a welcoming environment, good partners and a state government that is willing to go ahead with the project.”
May 25, 2022