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.
March 4, 2024
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pst. Umo Eno has lamented the wanton destruction of lives and property in the oil communities of Iwuochang, Iko Nsong and Esit Urua villages in the state during a communal clash over land. He expressed displeasure over the incident while assessing the extent of damage in the communal conflict between Eket, Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas at the weekend.
The governor, who later visited the critically injured victims of the two-day conflict over the disputed Stubbs Creek forest at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo, announced the immemdiate takeover of the land by government.
He directed the commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd), to take inventory of the destroyed property including houses and shops razed in the mayhem.
Vowing to bring the perpetrators to book, the governor disclosed that those behind the sponsorship of the dastardly act are known already to government.
“I have credible intelligence on those who are sponsoring our young people to go out and cause this mayhem.
“After this warning today, if this happens again, I can assure you that government will call you out, pick you up and you will face the penalty squarely.
“So, I want to appeal to our political gladiators to stop taking sides and fanning the embers of disunity. We are leaders and we cannot be sponsoring young people to take the laws into their hands. We will not allow it,” he warned.
Umo Eno reminded the warring parties of their filial and communal ties binding the two communities in many ways including inter-marriages.
March 1, 2024
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has revealed plans to complete the Abia-Akwa Ibom road and has warned contractors against the use of substandard materials during project execution.
The Executive Director of Projects, NDDC, Victor Antai,during an inspection of the road on Wednesday, said the Commission was no longer interested in shoddy road projects, but those that would last between 20-30 years.
“We are interested in road projects that will last for between 20-30 years. We are no longer interested in contractors that will come and pour stones on red soil and walk away, and still demand their money,” he said.
Antai who represented the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, appealed to the contractors in the Niger Delta to step up their games.
“No more shoddy jobs because we are about to transform the Niger Delta with legacy projects, especially with the roads that link cities, states and local governments together.
“Arochukwu borders two states – Akwa Ibom and Abia. So we are trying to link both states with legacy projects. That is why the NDDC under the leadership of Dr Samuel Ogbuku of Rivers has asked me to come here, and take a look at the project, and explore ways of interfacing with the community and the contractor, and then bring words back to him,” Antai said.
While expressing his joy at the road projects, Traditional Ruler, Arochukwu, HRH Eze John Okoro, said the road was once inaccessible.
“I don’t know how to thank the management of NDDC. This road was just like a track road, and vehicles didn’t come into this village. But today, we now have a smooth tarred road. On behalf of my community, we say a very big thank you,” he said.
A stakeholder in Arochukwu, Obasi Lawson said the people of the community were happy with the project.
“The Arochukwu people are very happy and have been jubilating, and showing appreciation to the NDDC for the great feat,” he said.
February 28, 2024
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has made a 17-point demand to President Bola Tinubu to mitigate what it described as poverty, hunger and mass suffering inflicted on the citizens by the policies of the federal government.
Recall the NLC held a nationwide protest yesterday in Nigerian states of Lagos, Adamawa, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Kano, Niger , Akwa Ibom, Zamfara and among others, complaining of massive impoverishment in the nation.
Leaders of the NLC later suspended the protest late Tuesday evening after the first day, saying its suspension was based on the fact that the street action achieved overwhelming success.
In a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting yesterday in Abuja, President of NLC and Acting General Secretary, Joe Ajaero and Ismail Bello, said: “
The NEC-in-session, therefore, reviewed the execution of the first day of the nationwide protest to assess its effectiveness and take decision on further necessary action to guide congress in its effort at engaging government to protect the people and Nigerian workers from the increasing scourge of hardship.”
The NLC however issued a 17-point demand to the presidency saying if adequately implemented; the demands would assist the nation to overcome the present crisis of survival in the short-run.
“However, your Excellency, NLC believes that the following demands as proposed below, if immediately implemented will assist our nation overcome the present crisis of survival in the short-run.
‘’They are adoption of measures to mitigate the increasing hardship in the country via mechanisms that will allow for immediate food availability locally.
- We suggest a reopening of land borders to allow food, cement and other essentials to come in.
- Emergency measures to ensure food security around the country, including ensuring that farmlands are secured so that farmers can return to the land.
- We propose an immediate removal of the collection of levies, fees, dues and tolls from petty traders across the nation by local and state governments.
- Immediate implementation of the October 2, 2023, agreement reached with your government.
- An immediate purchase and deployment of CNG/ electric buses across all states of the federation to be managed by stakeholders.
- An immediate deployment of large numbers of CNG conversion kits to all states of the federation to grant the citizenry easier access to conversion of their vehicles from PMS to CNG.
- Composition of a team of relevant stakeholders to monitor and supervise all Federal Government’s intervention funds in the interest of Nigerian people.
- The same arrangement is advocated at all levels to ensure that government interventions reach the poor and the vulnerable.
- Reversal and suspension of further increases in school fees across the nation;
- A drastic reduction and removal of import duties paid on essential drugs and medical consumables to relieve the current hardship being witnessed by the sick.
- Direct all state governments to immediately pay all owed wages, wage awards, allowances, gratuities and pensions.
- Cash Transfers to the vulnerable with verifiable and inclusive social register to begin immediately.
- An immediate tax holiday to all workers earning from N100,000 per month and below including a reduction in PAYE for all workers earning below N500,000/Month.
- A removal of VAT on basic consumer items. Direct the purchase and use of Made in Nigeria goods and services to stimulate local production and save jobs.
- Immediate reduction in the cost of governance in Nigeria at all levels to reflect the nation’s tight fiscal position.
- Halt immediately the implementation of all IMF and World Bank policies in Nigeria. They have not only worked anywhere but have brought extreme hardship which imperils our nation’s security and undermines our sovereignty.
- Speedy conclusion of the National Minimum Wage negotiation, ensuring that it approximates a living wage.
“
Some of the foregoing proposals and recommendations are actually part of previously agreed Collective Bargaining Agreements, CBA, between organised labour and government at various times. “We believe that diligent implementation of these proposals; in consultation with social partners via the various processes of social dialogue will go a long way in recovering our economy from the precipice and repositioning Nigeria as a productive economy with capabilities for decent job creation, inclusive growth and the rule of law.
“
Mr. President, the current economic hardship facing our nation requires bold and decisive action. As the leader of our great country, we urge you to heed the cries of the Nigerian people and take immediate steps to alleviate their suffering.
“The resilience and ingenuity of our workforce are invaluable assets that, if harnessed effectively, can propel Nigeria towards a future of prosperity and progress.
“While we look forward to your consideration of our proposals, please accept the renewed assurances of our highest esteem.’’
But reacting to the protest yesterday, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, described it as needless.
Speaking in an interview , the president’s spokesman said the Federal Government is doing everything possible to ameliorate hardship in the land.
He said: “
Any labour union that is speaking to the concerns of Nigerian families, the pains that are being felt by our people, is absolutely free to do so. It is right that Nigerians speak up in difficult situations.
“The government has been doing everything possible to alleviate those concerns. But we also want to separate the legitimate concerns being expressed by some of the labour unions from people trying to leverage some of the situations in the country to achieve a political agenda.
“We have seen the Trade Union Congress, TUC, pull out of the purported nationwide protest. We have seen the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, pull out of the protest. There is no unanimity behind what NLC is trying to do.
“I believe all legitimate concerns being raised by the unions are being tackled by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.”
