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Tag: A’Ibom

  • A’Ibom: Three die during PDP primaries as Gov Emmanuel preaches reconciliation

    A’Ibom: Three die during PDP primaries as Gov Emmanuel preaches reconciliation

    Three persons have been reported dead in Ini Local Council of Akwa Ibom as groups loyal to rival aspirants clashed during the State Assembly and House of Representatives primaries in the area.

    This is even as Governor Udom Emmanuel has promised that the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) would soon constitute a reconciliation panel to assuage aggrieved members of the party.

    Police sources from the Ini Divisional Police Headquarters confinded in newsmen that thugs loyal to one of the aspirants killed someone from the rival camp and the opposing camp retaliated with two.

    But the spokesman for Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Superintendent Odiko Macdon could not confirm the incident as he could not pick his calls from newsmen

    Governor Emmanuel had told correspondents at his residence in ONNA Local Council after the State Assembly and House of Representatives primaries conducted across 26 state constituencies in the state.

    The Governor maintained that no two elections are the same adding that all aggrieved aspirants who are not comfortable with the conduct of the primary election as stipulated by law would be pacified.

    He observed that the amended Electoral Act has disqualified him from voting and urged the aspirants to accept the result of the primaries in good faith .

    “Today I decided to obey the rules of the electoral act, that disqualified me from being a delegate, I refused to go nearer to the venue.I have come to understand that what ever comes our way is the act of God, we can’t blame anyone.

    “Akwa Ibom is PDP and PDP is Akwa Ibom, I hope to immidiately set up a reconciliation committee for those of us feeling agrieved that probably the process today did not favour them, it’s an act of God and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. But then the committee will try to reconcile usnso can remain united.” He said.

    Meanwhile , one of the aspirants for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen said that a group of aspirants in the state has decided to pull out of the primaries because of the pending court issues arising from the last Adhoc delegates election in the state.

    Inyangeyen told journalists that said the exercise conducted by PDP in the state was illegal and cannot be considered as a democratic exercise.

    ” We approached the court and injunction was granted against conduct of the exercise in the state. Because of the court order, I remained in my house today. I don’t mind what they are doing today . I am a law abiding citizen.

    “Whatever they are doing today , we would challenge it in court. So we have asked our supporters to shun the primaries because it is conducted on illegality.” He said

    He warned that the All Progressive Congress Party(APC) would take over the state if the PDP would not adhere to electoral laws.

  • Edet, Etteh, Esset, Ors emerge PDP Flag-Bearers in A’Ibom Reps Primaries

    Edet, Etteh, Esset, Ors emerge PDP Flag-Bearers in A’Ibom Reps Primaries

    Immediate past Akwa Ibom Commissioners for Agriculture and Special Duties, Dr Glory Edet amd Chief Okpolupm Etteh and House of Assembly member for Nsit Atai, Mark Esset have emerged PDP flag-bearers after the House of Representatives primary elections held across ten federal constituencies on Sunday.

    Also to represent the party in same capacity at the primaries conducted across the state on Sunday evening is a former member of the House of Assembly, Mr Ime Okon for Itu, incumbents Mr Unyime Idem for Ukanafun Federal Constituency and Mr Aniekan Umanah for Abak Federal Constituency, Idongesit Ntekpere for Ikot Ekpene and former state PDP chairman Mr Paul Ekpo for Etinan Federal Constituencies.

    The primaries conducted for the 31 Local government areas for the state House of Assembly also saw to the emergence of Prince Akpabio for Essien Udim, Udeme Otong- Abak, Udofia Friday Udobia – Esit Eket/Ibeno, Eric Akpan- Nsit Ibom, Mfon Idung- Etim Ekpo/Ika and Uwemedimo Asuquo – Uyo.

    Other LGAs and their flag bearers include; Ibiono Ibom: -Godwin Ekpo, Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara: Mr Jerry Otu, ONNA: Sunny Johnny, Nsit Atai: Prince Aniefiok Attah
    Nsit Ubium: Hon Barr Otobong Bob, Ukanafun: Emem Udom, Itu: Hon KufreAbasi Edidem
    Oron/ Udung Uko: Hon Mrs Kenim Onofiok, Uruan; Dr Itoro Etim, INI: Hon Lawrence Udoide, Etinan: Uduak Ekpo-Ufot.

    Also to represent the party for the state house include: Ikono: Itoro Columba, Ibesikpo Asutan: Ubong Attah, Okobo: Pius Bassey, Mkpat Enin:wem Imo-Ita, Oruk Anam:Prince Sampson Idiong, Urue Offong/Oruko – Precious Selong.

    Two of the candidates for ONNA and Nsit Ubium state constituencies, Sunny Johnny and Otobong Bob respectively commended the delegates for their trust in them and pledged to ensure victory for PDP at the general elections

    State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Aniekan Akpan had in a chat with newsmen before the primaries assured aspirants on the party’s platform of a free, fair and transparent primary elections ahead of 2023 general elections.

    “The primary election will be very open and transparent. There’s going to be voting. The national Secretariat is coming. everybody is going to the field. The delegates are known delegates. And the party guideline is very clear. The guideline says it has to be taken to the various constituencies.

    “We have made an arrangement to ensure that whatever is being taken from here (party secretariat) will get to each constituency. It will be a contest of brothers and sisters, a family affair. And we have appealed to everybody that there should be no rancour.” Akpan said.

  • VP Osinbajo to unveil Nigeria’s first Coconut Oil Refinery in A’Ibom

    Vice President Yemi Ssinbajo would on Friday inaugurate Nigeria’s first coconut oil refinery, St Gabriel Coconut Refinery, located in Mkpat Enin Local Council of Akwa Ibom following the successful test run of the factory.

    The multi-billion naira value-chain facility which would create thousands of job opportunities for Akwa Ibom people was facilitated by Akwa Ibom government under a Private Public Partnership and constructed by Turkish firm, VKS.

    With a capacity to crack one million nuts a day, the factory is expected to employ over 3000 direct workers at full capacity.

    The project is comprised of a factory complex complete with administrative offices, production areas, technical spaces, industrial firefighting systems, water treatment plants, effluent treatment plants and residential quarters for technical and managerial staff as well as parking areas for several raw materials bearing vehicles.

    The project is located in the serene environment of Ikot Akpan Okop village, along the East West Road in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. The project execution was flagged off by Governor Udom Emmanuel during a ground-breaking ceremony on May 24th, 2017.

    Already a two million fast yeilding hybrid coconut trees plantation on an 11,000 hectare of land to feed the refinery is ready in a swampland spanning Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas even as the Government has ensured that coconuts are cultivated at Okobo, Okon -Eket and other locations in the State.

    The plantation is regarded as the largest coconut plantation in Africa, and the most ambitious coconut project in the world.

  • OBA Campaign Organization faults A’Ibom Ward Delegate election

    OBA Campaign Organization faults A’Ibom Ward Delegate election

    Chairman of Senator Bassey Akpan’s gubenatorial campaign organization, Bishop Andrew Uwanta has described last Saturday’s Ward Delegate Election in Akwa Ibom as a sham, calling for it’s cancellation.

    Uwanta told newsmen in Uyo yesterday against the backdrop of protests and agitations against the conduct of the election that the process did not follow the guidelines and provisions of the party’s electoral process.

    He maintained that elections were not held in most wards in the state even as the few were it was held was charactised by hijack of materials, imposition and manipulation of the process to favour the aspirant being supported by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    “I was to stand election as an adhoc delegate but unfortunately in my ward materials didn’t come and no officer was posted to that place. But of course I had gone to the state Secretariat of the party but did not see the normal arrangement that were always made before such congresses like bringing materials and posting officers, distributing them according to wards and local governments, of course that did not happen.

    “But then I went my ward and waited but no materials arrived and in the presence of observers I asked the ward secretary who didn’t have the result sheet whether he can count and record the process but then where is the form and result sheet.

    “So in reality in almost all the wards in Akwa Ibom people who were ready to contest in a free and fair election were denied the opportunity. The government maybe decided to hijack the materials for his favoured aspirant.

    “So then there was nothing we could do at that moment, people were denied the chance to be voted for but of course they came to see that the election was not free and fair, materials were hijacked, they stopped somewhere to fill the results. I feel that is not in line with the electoral law and that actually made the election null and void and so anybody who says it was free and fair was a party to the material hijack.” He explained.

    He accused those insunuating that Senator Bassey Akpan’s was sponsoring protests of blackmail against the Senator and other aspirants who had bared their minds on the conduct of the ward delegate election.

    “I am not aware of any sponsorship of protests but I know that even on election day youths in the state demonstrated about the imposition material hijack and non availability of materials and I think outside the favoured aspirant no other aspirant and I think they are about 14, non endorsed that election, so it’s not even a matter of Akwa Ubong Abasi Campaign Organization. We were all disenfranchised.” He maintained.

    He insisted that Akpan has not planned to dump the PDP because he was still confident of winning despite the scheming perpetuated by those loyal to the Governor’s favoured aspirant.

    “Of course OBA is contesting and winning in PDP, no other party. I am also a foundation member of the PDP and nothing can take me out of PDP no matter what anybody does.

    “It is God who gives power to anybody. No man can act God, no man can give power to anybody except God, what God wants will prevail.” Unwanta concluded.

  • A’Ibom Police kill serial killer

    A’Ibom Police kill serial killer

    The Police in Akwa Ibom have killed a notorious serial killer and armed robber, Malachi Uwem, said to be responsible for several killings around Ibiono Ibom, Itu ,Ikot Ekpene and parts of Uyo Local Councils in the last six months.

    Uwem and his gang were alleged to have killed over 15 persons, leaving some of his victims permanently maimed, some presently in hospitals, while others are counting their losses from his barbaric robbery acts, which has led to the closing of many businesses, especially POS, in these places.

    In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Odiko Macdon in Uyo yesterday, Uwem and his gang famed to have powers to disappear while being pursued by the Police and local vigilantees were gunned down by the Special Weapon and Tactical Sqaud, SWAT, of the state Police Command at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Council of Cross River.

    “But on assumption of duty as the 30th Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Andrew Amiengheme, Psc+, fdc, vowed to spare no resources in ridding the state of criminal elements like Malachi and their gang members.

    “Therefore, on the marching order and close supervision of the CP, today April 28th, 2022 at about 0300hrs, in a painstaking operation, Operatives of Special Weapons And Tactics Squad (SWAT) of the Command led by CSP Julian Igbudu, traced the hoodlums to their hideouts at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area Of Cross River State.

    “The said Malachi Friday Uwem, his second in command Wisdom Sunday Akpan ‘m’, 31 years, Ndifreke Sunday Ebong ‘m’ 20yrs, and Annansia Umoh ‘m’ 33yrs resisted arrest and engaged the Operatives in a gun duel, and in the ensuing milieu, Malachi and two other gang members were fatally injured while attempting to escape and later gave up the ghost.” It said.

    According to the statement, items recovered from the gang include one Cut to Size Pump Action Gun,
    one Locally made Pistol, a large number of cartridges,one Gas Head with a resemblance of a Gun and assorted types of charms.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State is thankful and congratulates the personnel of SWAT, other Tactical Teams, the Government, the Intelligence community, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State.

    “He emphatically warned, that Akwa Ibom State can never be a safe haven for hoodlums as the command under his watch will continue to spare no resources in bringing perpetrators to book.

    “Those involved in any form of heinous crimes in the state have therefore been warned to relocate from the state or be smoked out as there will be no hiding place henceforth.” The statement said.

    It would be recalled that on 20/2/22, the notorious armed Robber and serial killer robbed and shot one Miss Lovina Eze Chiwendu, a Youth Corper at Ikot Ambang and made away with her iphone, ATM card and the sum of Seven Thousand Naira, she died last week at Enugu Teaching Hospital.

    Also, on 21/2/22, the suspect robbed and killed a lady teacher returning from school at Okobo Ibiono who had stopped over at a POS shop, this resulted to a protest by Youths of the area who blocked the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway.
    Furthermore, on 5/3/22, one Mrs Idongesit Damson was shot and killed in her house at Okobo Ibiono by the suspect.

    He was said to have also shot one Wisdom, whice also led to a protest and blockage of the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway.

    Several POS shops and filling stations have been robbed by the suspect and his gang at Okobo Ibiono, Itak axis and Uyo while only recently, he shot and killed two young men on the grounds that the village was only able to raise five million Naira out of the N20 Million he demanded.

  • NSCDC apprehends 69 Oil thieves in A’Ibom

    NSCDC apprehends 69 Oil thieves in A’Ibom

    At least 69 oil thieves and vandals have been apprehended by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the first quarter of this year in Akwa Ibom.

    The State Commandant, Mr Abidemi Majekodunmi, who disclosed this in an interaction with newsmen in Uyo yesterday said this was in furtherance of the Corps mandate to protect government critical infrastructure and arrest economic saboteurs.

    The Command he said have also been proactive in intelligence gathering across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state, to nib crimes related to their mandate in the bud.

    “In the first quarter of the year, we placed significant emphasis on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.

    “Here in Akwa Ibom, we do know that the network of pipelines are much and definitely we have criminal and non state actors tampering with the pipelines for economic profiteering and sabotage.

    “What we have done is to ensure that we deploy intelligence, capitals and assets to make sure that we do activities that serve as deterrent to these non state actors, that were always eager to steal petroleum products.

    “When we get quality intelligence, we plan and execute operations to make arrests. We also have, currently, about seven boats. In that particular case, we have 69 suspects, illegal dealers in petroleum products.

    “They have been charged to court and of course, we have made investigations and done a profiling, so those cases are currently in Court, for the Court to do the appropriate adjudication,” Majekodunmi said.

    Majekodunmi said that the suspects had been charged to court for prosecution, adding that the law would take it course while those found guilty would face the wrath of the law.

    The state commandant called on communities with critical government infrastructure to see the infrastructure as their own and protect them against vandalism.

    He said the Civil Defence would continue to promote crisis management and be proactive in dealing with conflict situations in the state through their peace and conflict resolution machinery.

    The commandant added that NSCDC over the years had deployed technology in fighting crimes so that they reach all criminal hideouts at ease in the state.

    Majekodunmi called on the media to ensure objectivity in their reportage to guarantee peace and national security in the state and the country.

  • Abductors of A’Ibom cleric reduce ransom to N30m

    Abductors of A’Ibom cleric reduce ransom to N30m

    Gunmen who abducted the founder and president of Solid Rock Church in Akwa Ibom, Apostle John Okoriko have reduced their ransom from N100 million to N30 million.

    Family sources told newsmen in Uyo on Thursday that the abductors used the victim’s phone number to communicate with the family.

    “This morning again , the man of God called us and asked that his abductors are now looking for N30m We don’t have such money . we are still begging them.” The source said

    It was learnt that stakeholders in the church have requested members to stop all social media postings to help security Agencies in intelligence gathering on the abduction of the man of God .

    It would recalled that Okoriko was abducted by unknown gunmen who invaded his compound in Mipat Enin Local Council and whisked him away after firing several shots

    State Police Public Relations Officer , Odiko Mcdon has however assured the public that the Commisioner of Police Andrew Ammieghene has ordered investigation into the incident .

  • A’Ibom Vows to Apprehend Employment Racketeers

    A’Ibom Vows to Apprehend Employment Racketeers

    Akwa Ibom State government has said it would prosecute persons behind employment racketering, following complaints of extortion from prospective applicants into the state civil service.

    Head of Service, HOS, Mr Effiong Essien told correspondents in Uyo on Tuesday that his office have been fighting to apprehend the syndicate and called for partnership and useful information from the public to apprehend them.

    Essien expressed sadness that the scammers may have possibly been issuing fake employment papers to the unsuspecting public and assured that he would protect the privacy of people who would volunteer useful information on the syndicate.

    The HOS maintained that government has not been involved in secret employment adding that recent employments had been based on the need of the service since employment opportunities remained limited.

    “There are a whole lot of speculations and fake news about employment. There are also scammers all around the state in the name of employment. There is no doubt that some of them may even give fake employment letters to people.

    “If you hear of such things, mention the name of the person and possibly the department so we can verify. My office would gladly want to know who has employed someone into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service without the Head of Service knowing about it.

    “I don’t have any doubt about racketeering. Let us partner, let me know the members of that racket. The public service rule is there for any civil service caught in serious misconduct. If such a person is found wanting, at the end of it, it is dismissal from service.

    “I would not spare anything to take full measure to discipline anybody that is involved in it. You can inbox me privately, and I can assure you of privacy to such information.

    “I have gone on air to enlighten members of the public that people should not be involved in any secret employment because there is nothing like that. Let nobody collect money from any person in the name of employment. It is fake.” He stated.

    Essien announced that the service would soon be fully digitized with a team working on it since the beginning of the year adding that Governor Udom Emmanuel had shown interest in the complete digitization of the service.

    The HOC explained that the process of recruiting 1,000 teachers for primary schools would soon be completed while verification for payment of gratuities for retired primary school teachers for the 2019/2020 batch would soon be done.

    He mentioned that the financial involvement of gratuities including those inherited from previous administrations remained high even as the government has been working on settling more gratuities after the payment of the 2016 batch.

    He commended the Governor for his prompt responses to workers needs especially the recent NUT strike and assured civil servants on the speedy developement of the civil service estate in Ibiono Ibom and Ikono Local Councils.

  • Expert calls for probe into abandoned $1.5 million Rotary Press in A’Ibom

    A former Consultant to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Patrick Usen has called for a probe into the abandonement of the $1.5 million Rotary Press acquired by Akwa Ibom government for the state newspaper corporation, more than seven years ago.

    Usen who blamed the Ministry of Information for the failure of the project explained that the machines failed to work due to improper installation.

    He told correspondents who were investigating the abandonement of the project that the representatives of Hieldelberg, Goss Graphics and himself, who facilitated the process from the purchase and shipment of the machines were not contacted for the installation and commissioning.

    The Press was initiated by the administration of former Governor, Godswill Akpabio, installed and commissioned at the twilight of the administration and consist of a Supra Setter A105 Computer To Plate (CTP) machine and a Goss Community Press with a web offset press, said to have been worth over $1.5 million then.

    With a capacity to print 17 colour pages, 32 black and white pages of newspaper and runs 500,000 impression per hour, with the CTP running a resolution of 2,400 DPI it was meant to enable the Corporation print the state owned newspaper, The Pioneer and serve as a commercial printing press for both national and local newspapers among others.

    However, the machines which were installed and commissioned on May 28, 2015 but were not tested, have been laying fallow while investigations show that the machines have not worked after the day it was commissioned even as the government is yet to officially hand over the press to the management of AKNC.

    But Usen questioned the manner in which the machines were received, saying there was no confirmation of what was received vis-a-vis what was sent, adding that the auxillary equipment which came with the machines such as forklift, rollers etc. which are among major equipment for the smooth running of the machines were missing.

    “Governor Godswill Akpabio had excellent intentions for the State and Pioneer Newspaper in particular. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Information truncated that project. They should be held responsible. I don’t know where this enquiry will end, but I think that a Commission of Enquiry should be set up to probe the issue.

    “That web offset press has not been received till today by Pioneer, that is, it has not been officially handed over by Goss Graphics to Pioneer because of the haphazard installation procedures. There was no adherence to good engineering practice of installation. They hurriedly put that up together and called the Governor, and I think the machine collapsed and failed there.

    “There was no ink, no rolling papers, no printing plate needed to print for the Governor to see. All those things were not there, and the machine collapsed that day,” he stated.

    He lamented that the state government was yet to pay him his contract fee for the project, adding that he was willing to return for a proper installation of the machines if the government was willing and warned that the Supra Setter A105 (Computer To Plate) machine may have to be upgraded as it may have outlived its lifespan of six years while laying idle.

    “The lifespan of the Goss Graphics could be up to 50 years, but the Computer to Plate would last, let’s say for between five to six years. All you need is to change parts and upgrade.” He advised.

    Corraborating Usen, former General Manager of Pioneer Newspaper, Mr Silas Udo, who was in office when the press was installed, said the machines were not used by the Pioneer to print any paper, neither, was any member of staff trained on it’s operation even as the procedural process of receiving the machines was not done because the necessary checklist to ascertain what the state government paid for, and what was sent by the manufacturers was not done.

    “The press was never used to print the PIONEER in my time. No Pioneer staff under my watch went for training anywhere to master the workings of the Press.Yes, we did not receive the press. It was a deliberate decision not to receive it as the procedural processes were not done or seen to be done.” Udo said.

    Confirming the position of Udo, Mr Idorenyin Umoren, the Production Manager of AKNC then, said he was one of the committee members of AKNC Rotary Press Pre-shipment Inspection Committee announced by state government to visit Goss Community Press Company in Germany stated that the committee was not inaugurated while the purported inspection trip to Germany never happened.

    Efforts to speak with Mr Aniekan Umana, who was then the Commissioner for Information who supervised the whole process of purchasing, installing and commissioning the press was not successful as he did not pick up his calls, nor responded to text messages sent to his phone.

    Even efforts to get the current Commissioner, Mr Ini Ememobong to comment on the issue was unsuccessful as he did not respond to the message sent to him on the matter.

  • Easter: Police, Civil Defence, FRSC deploy 2,883 in A’Ibom

    Easter: Police, Civil Defence, FRSC deploy 2,883 in A’Ibom

    The Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ,NSCDC and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, said it has deployed 2,883 Officers and operatives to beef up security and ensure smooth traffic this Easter in Akwa Ibom.

    A statement from the state Police Public Relations Offficer, Odiko Macdon made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday said 1,336 officers and men have been mobilized to provide an enabling environment for the celebration.

    A similar statement from the state command of the NSCDC endorsed by Command PRO, Mr Ekerette Friday said 1,000 of its personnel have been mobilized to beef up security while the FRSC according to it’s Public Enlightenment Officer, Mr Paul James said 547 operatives including Special Marshalls have been deployed.

    According to the Police statement, “the CP felicitates with the Government and all Akwa Ibomites, particularly the Christian Community on the occasion of Easter, while urging the good people of the state to continue to be law abiding and report criminal elements intending to truncate the prevailing peace in the State.

    “The Command wishes to assure Residents and Visitors that it will continue to emplace germaine contemporary security strategies to enhance the security of the State.”

    The NSCDC statement said the personnel were drawn from the Armed squad, Agro Ranger, Counter Terrorism, Special female squad, Anti-vandal units and the department of Intelligence operations to mount identified hotspots within the state.

    The statement read in part, “to achieve a hitch free Easter celebrations, the Akwa Ibom State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Abidemi Majekodunmi has deployed one thousand(1000) personnel to beef up security in the state all through the Easter celebrations and beyond.

    “Patrol teams have been constituted to patrol various identified hotspots within the state. Commandant Majekodunmi has also directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Officers and heads of tactical squads to ensure effective policing of their immediate environment, paying attention to public places, worship centres and institutions.”

    The FRSC said the measure was to align with the Corps strategic goal of 15% reduction in road traffic crash fatality, and ensure free-flow of traffic for ease of doing business in the state.

    “For effective coverage of all critical areas, 11 Patrol Vehicles and 2 Ambulances were also deployed, while arrangement had been made for tow trucks to clear any obstruction during the period.

    “To strategically administer her statutory functions, the Command will, in addition to the regular patrol operations, conduct Mobile court session in conjunction with the judiciary, carry out traffic count to determine vehicular volume in relation to various routes of the state, conduct traffic control at gridlock areas, deploy standby rescue team for rescue operation when the need arises and conduct Breathalyzer test to ascertain blood alcohol concentration of drivers during patrol operation and at the motor parks.” It said.