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October 29, 2019 NUJ to Petition Akwa Ibom Chief Judge over Actions of Sanitation Court Magistrate
IFMUYONEWS

NUJ to Petition Akwa Ibom Chief Judge over Actions of Sanitation Court Magistrate

COMMUNIQUE REACHED AT THE END OF THE CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS, AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL, AT THE PRESS CENTRE, UYO, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019.

At the end of deliberations on issues affecting the Union and Akwa Ibom State, the Congress, which had in attendance the Vice President, Zone F, Comrade Edward Ogude and Zonal Secretary, Comrade Bassey Eyo, resolved on the following:

1) The Congress commended the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses Ekpo for his goodwill message and the Head of Civil Service of Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien, who highlighted the initiatives put in place by the State Government for a more efficient service delivery in the Civil Service, while also meeting the needs of workers. The government officials were special guests at the Congress.

2) The Congress adopted the position of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, who said that the attack on a renowned Journalist in Nigeria, Mr. Ray Ekpu, by some persons who were not comfortable with what he said at a seminar in Uyo, on Friday, October 18, 2019, was unacceptable.

3) The Congress condemned in no uncertain terms the action of Margaret Ekpedoho, a Magistrate sitting at the Sanitation Court, Uyo, who struck out the suit against Comrade Mary Ekere, after the Akwa Ibom State Government withdrew the charges against the journalist, but asked that the case file be brought back to her and ordered Ekere to delete from her mobile phone, the pictures of officials of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, raiding a shop and manhandling traders in Uyo. In addition, Congress resolved to petition the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Godwin Abraham over the conduct of the Magistrate.

4) It was also resolved by Congress that there was no going back on the issue of enthroning professionalism, ethical standard and code of conduct in journalism practice in Akwa Ibom State.

5) On the horrendous state of federal roads in Akwa Ibom, Congress called
on the Federal Government to do the needful and save the people of the state the ‘‘trip to hell’’ experience in the name of travelling on any of the federal roads.

6) The Congress frowned at the spate of insecurity in Uyo Metropolis, particularly at night; a development that has forced many Pharmacies to close early, thereby putting the lives of people who might need drugs at night in serious danger. In addition, Congress called on the State Government and relevant security agencies to step up the game at the AKBC Transmitting Station, Ntak Inyang, as the recent attack on Comrade Harrison Essien, a staff of the Corporation, by hoodlums has increased the already long list of attacks in the area.

7) The Congress bemoaned the flooding of some areas in the State, which in some cases resulted in huge loss of property and urged the State Government to assist the victims and initiate an action plan to curb the menace.

8) The Congress commended the State Government for intervening in the erosion spot that is threatening a section of Calabar-Itu Road at Ntak Inyang, Itu Local Government Area and urged the Federal Government to support Akwa Ibom State with Ecological Funds to fight the menace of erosion.

9) On the poor power situation in Akwa Ibom, Congress declared its support to the State Government’s plan to float a power distribution company, as hinted by Governor Udom Emmanuel at the recent media chat in Uyo.

10) While Congress lauded the efforts of the State Government in the area of workers’ welfare as highlighted by the Head of Civil Service of Akwa Ibom State, it however, expressed deep concern over the non-payment of the 22 per cent Weigh-In Allowance for journalists working in government-owned media establishments, even as media workers in Rivers, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States have enjoyed this package.

11) On the 2020 Budget for Akwa Ibom, the Congress called on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to look into the low budgetary provisions for critical areas, such as education and rural development.

Signed
Comrade Ekong Inyang
Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee (CDC)

Comrade Stella Ita
Member, CDC

Comrade Akaninyene Ukpong, Secretary, CDC

Comrade Amos Etuk
State Chairman

Comrade Dominic Akpan
State Secretary

IFMUYONEWS

Niger Delta Governors deny instigating NDDC probe.

Adebayo Samuel

The Akwa Ibom state Governor, and his counterparts in Imo and Delta states on Monday distanced themselves from claims that they were behind the order to probe the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, in order to hijack the commission.

President Muhammadu Buhari last week gave the order for a forensic probe of the NDDC to be conducted immediately, stating that such an investigation became necessary following public complaints against the interventionist agency.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Governor Emmanuel Udom, described the claim that governors from the Niger Delta states were plotting to control the agency as baseless and unfounded.
Speaking through the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, Governor Udom expressed disappointment that despite being the highest revenue contributor to the national economy, not even a kilometre of road had been constructed by the NDDC in the state.

He said, “The allegations are totally baseless and unfounded. Akwa Ibom State contributes the highest revenue to the national purse, yet there is nothing in the state in terms of federal presence.

“One cannot point to a single kilometre of road constructed by the NDDC in the state; is that fair?”

Also, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, explained that the decision to embark on a forensic probe of the interventionist agency was solely that of the Federal Government.

Okowa, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said, “It is the Federal Government’s decision; you cannot begin to say whether we are in support or not if the Federal Government wants to ask questions like it is doing in other sectors.

“If the Federal Government wants to look at those that it gave money to, it is its decision. “The most important thing is that Federal Government wants to look into their process.”

However, the Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, who spoke through his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Steve Osuji, pointed out that President Buhari did not need the permission of governors of the Niger Delta to direct the probe of the NDDC.

IFMUYONEWS

Chris Ngige Visits site of Onitsha fire

The Minister of Labour and Employment , Dr. Chris Ngige , on Saturday visited the scene of the tanker fire accident at DMGS roundabout in Onitsha , Anambra State to see the extent of damage done by the inferno .

Commenting on the burnt bookstores and the volume of goods destroyed, Ngige lamented “This is the destruction of a generation . My daughter bought a book here for her medical course. This was after we searched for the book in many bookshops across the country without success ,”

No fewer than 10 houses and 30 vehicles were razed in the fire .

The minister assured the Onitsha fire victims of the support of the Federal Government, although he described the destruction as massive , said the Federal Government would find a way to come in to assuage the pains of the victims through the National Directorate of Employment

Ngige , who thanked God that no life was lost , accused the state government for poor fire -fighting initiative .

He condemned the situation where the state would continue to be relying on fire – fighting arrangements from neighbouring Delta State .
The minister condemned the siting of filling stations in residential areas , adding that the Federal Government would come up with a regulation to stop such act .

He advised the Department of Petroleum Resources to consider occupational safety in siting new filling stations .

IFMUYONEWS

Senate Minority Leader Knocks Lawyers On Onnoghen

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator ENYINAYA ABARIBE has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association –NBA for failing to speak up for former chief justice of Nigeria, Justice WALTER ONNOGHEN when he was suspended.

Recall that President MUHAMMADU BUHARI had on Friday January 24, 2019 suspended the former Chief Justice of Nigeria for alleged corruption, and appointed Justice TANKO MOHAMED in his stead.

Senator ABARIBE said the Senate waited in vain for the NBA and the judiciary to act in order to save the situation, as the law did not allow the President to unilaterally remove the CJN without recourse to the Senate.

The Abia state-born lawmaker spoke at the Rule of Law Symposium at the ongoing NBA Annual General Conference in Lagos.

Speaking later with newsmen on the matter, chairman of the NBA conference planning committee, Mr IKEAZOR AKARAIWE faulted the senate minority leader for not taking steps to check President BUHARI’s constitutional excesses.

He however admitted that the Nigerian Bar Association should have moved in defence of the former chief justice of Nigeria, Justice WALTER ONNOGHEN.

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