April 8, 2024
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has terminated the contract for the Nsit Atai/Okobo/Oron Road abandoned for several years by successive governments.
The road had remained incomplete since the administrations of former Governors Godswill Akpabio (2007 – 2015), and Udom Emmanuel (2015 – 2023).
The contract termination followed complaints and protests by the people of the three local government areas and a socio – cultural organisation, the Oron Union.
Governor Umo Eno announced the termination during the funeral ceremony and thanksgiving service in honour of late Mrs Deborah Ekaette Imaikop Enoidem, mother -In-law of the Immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem held at Ikot Epkene Udo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state.
Udo used the occasion to reel out projects undertaken by his administration in the Oro Federal Constituency in the last 10 months of his assumption of office.
These include the 2.1km Ukpong Street, 2.1km Essang Street, Orukim-Uyenge Universal Energy Road, Okopedi Road, by East West Road, Secretariat Oruko Eweme Road, and re-modernisation of Oron Bridge.
He assured that his administration was bent on executing more projects in Oro Nation, and indeed, the entire state.
Governor Eno disclosed that each of the 31 LGAs in the state has at least two projects currently ongoing and assured that the government “is judiciously spending government resources by channeling the funds into projects for the benefit of Akwa Ibom citizens.”
He also warned the people to desist from obstructing projects with illegal structures, in expectation of being paid compensation.
“There is no LGA in the State which at least two projects are not ongoing. By the grace of God, we will continue to do more. We are spending money on projects and people are working and making a living from those projects.
“We will continue to use the state money for this state. We will create jobs, and government will support hardworking people who are ready to work. Our administration will continue to touch rural people. During our campaign, I promised to serve you, and I will continue to serve you,” he stressed.
He reiterated that despite these hard times with excruciating cash crunch, his administration has not taken any loan to execute any of the ongoing projects in the state.
“All the projects we have been doing, we are proud to say, we have not taken one loan from any bank in the last 10 months. I believe that we can use the resources we have in this state to work for the our people.
“I thank the Oro People, our in- laws. I’m working for you, as I do with the entire state, and I will continue to work for you. I will serve you in Oro Nation by building on the foundation of my predecessor. We will do much more,” he added.
March 11, 2024
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet`s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast a sunny and hazy atmosphere on Monday over the northern region throughout the forecast period.
According to it, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the North Central States, with prospects of localised thunderstorms over parts of Benue State during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, localised thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Benue and Kogi.
“Increased cloudy conditions are anticipated in the morning hours over the inland states of South and coastal cities, with chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, and Delta states.
“Later in the day, localised thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos states,“ it said.
According to NiMet, sunny and hazy atmosphere is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Tuesday, with chances of localised thunderstorms over parts of Taraba and Kaduna states during the evening hours.
It envisaged patches of clouds over the North Central region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.
The agency envisaged localised thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Kogi states later in the day.
It anticipated cloudy skies over the inland areas of the South and the coastal cities, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos State during the morning periods.
NiMet predicted localised thunderstorms over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Delta states in the afternoon and evening hours.
According to NiMet, sunny and hazy atmosphere is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.
“Increased cloudy conditions with chances of early morning thunderstorms is expected over parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, localized thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Kwara, Nasarawa, and Kogi states.
“Cloudy skies are expected over inland cities of South and Coast, with prospects of localised thunderstorms over parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos states in the morning hours,“ it said.
NiMet anticipated localized thunderstorms over parts of Abia, Ogun, Edo, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Lagos states in the afternoon and evening hours.
The agency urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.
“Temperature values are still high, especially in the North; please stay hydrated. Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,“ it said.
March 6, 2024
In a bid to alleviate the hardship faced by Citizens due to rising food prices, the Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to introduce redemption centres where registered vendors will offer basic food items at discounted rates to impoverished individuals holding government-issued food vouchers.
Governor Umo Eno disclosed this initiative during a speech delivered at the All Nations Christian Ministry at its March first Sunday service in Uyo, the state Capital.
Expressing concern over middlemen exploiting the current situation by hoarding staple foods and reselling them at exorbitant prices, the Governor emphasized the need to ensure that food aid reaches those in genuine need.
“We want this food to get to the real people,” Governor Eno stated. “If not properly managed, people would buy it, hoard, and resell at a higher price again to the masses.”
He acknowledged the challenge of ensuring the success of government programs, attributing their failure at times to such exploitation.
Pst. Umo Eno said the proposed system will utilize a social register to identify eligible beneficiaries, and food vouchers will be distributed accordingly.
“Redemption centers will be established across the state, including in local markets, where individuals can exchange their vouchers for essential food items.
To prevent fraud and counterfeiting, Governor Eno mentioned the implementation of security printing for the vouchers and warned against any attempts to forge them. Additionally, measures will be taken to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to sabotage the process.
He also assured support for farmers, stating that the ministry of agriculture would provide necessary inputs for cultivation and would be prepared to purchase surplus harvest from willing farmers.
“The initiative signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges of food insecurity and exploitation, while also supporting agricultural development within the state “he said
March 4, 2024
The Akwa Ibom State Government has waded into an age-long boundary dispute between Edem Iyere community in Ikono Local Government Area and Ibiaku Itu Udoh in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the State.
The peace deal was sealed with a tree-planting ceremony to demarcate the two hitherto feuding communities.
In her remarks at the event, the State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, reiterated the state Governor, Umo Eno’s commitment to rural development, noting that such would not be possible in an atmosphere of rancor and disharmony.
She assured the people of the Governor’s interest in their welfare, promising that the State Boundary Committee under her watch, will continue to reconcile more communities across the State for the ARISE Agenda to succeed.
“Today we are here. Thank God nobody has been buried, although blood was spilled, nobody died. Our success here today only portrays the strong hand and involvement of God in the whole arrangement.
“Today, a lasting peace has been instituted and established to the glory of God. It is not by might nor power but by His consent. I stand here to plead, that the peace accord of today will be everlasting, from generation to generation.”
The Deputy Governor further stressed that the current administration will ensure that indigenes of the two communities are meaningfully engaged, especially, through agriculture, to stem the tide of communal clashes and other social vices.
In their separate speeches, the Member representing Ikono State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nana Asuquo and his Ibiono Ibom counterpart, Hon. Moses Essien, showered encomiums on the Deputy Governor for living up to her responsibility as Chairman of the State Boundary Committee and committed to the maintenance of peace in their Constituencies.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, appreciated the state government for brokering peace in the area and appealed for the development of the area as an effective measure against restiveness and lawlessness.
Similarly, the Paramount Rulers of Ibiono Ibom, His Royal Majesty, Okuku (Dr) Ime Udousoro Inyang, and that of Ikono, Edidem Etim Nnanna Itang, pledged to ensure that the accord between the two communities was permanent.
