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A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY ETIM EKPO PDP WARD 6 (FORMERLY WARD 5) AND STAKEHOLDERS ON THE ATTEMPT BY MR. UDUOT JACK AKPAN TO SMEAR THE NAME AND TOWERING PERSONALITY OF BARR. EMANUEL ENOIDEM TODAY, SATURDAY, 22ND JANUARY, 2022.

Our attention and collective psychic have been drawn to a malicious and slanderous video clip on Sunday, the 16th of January, 2022 at about 4pm orchestrated by one of our sons, Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan to smear, malign, water down and ridicule the name, person and position of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem in an attempt to cajole our collective political interest.

In the light of this unwholesome development and its attendant denigration on all of us, we wish to state categorically for the avoidance of any doubt our positions vis-à-vis, Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan’s unsavory remarks on Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem.

OUR COMMON POSITIONS

  1. That, the entire stakeholders of ward 6 (formerly Ward 5) of the Peoples Democratic Party in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, do vehemently condemn unequivocally and in very strong terms too, the spate and avalanche of insults and the blatant display of irresponsible utterances meted by Mr. Udout Jack Akpan on the person of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem on Sunday the 16th of January, 2022 via a video clip.
  2. That, the entire PDP critical stockholders of this ward with other political architecture of the ward ranging from all the Chapter Officers, Ward Executives, Dakkada Group, Village Youths, Youth Caucus, Youth Council, Women Organizations, Unit Coordinators to our teeming supporters, do move as a political bloc today, to disassociate and distant ourselves from the callous, wanton, and unguarded utterances of Mr. Udout Jack Akpan on the towering and glowing personality of the immediate past PDP National Legal Adviser and the current Chairman, Maintain Peace Movement in Akwa Ibom State, as well as the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District PDP consensus candidate for 2023, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem.
  3. That, we, after careful evaluations of the PDP political family in Akwa Ibom State have resolved to pitch our political tents with Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem following his exemplary, visionary, and enduring leadership style as evidenced in the Maintain Peace Movement and the current zoning arrangement in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
  4. That, it has come to our realization that the wicked, slanderous, charade and malign onslaught by Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan on Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem is because of the sense of direction and purposeful leadership Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem has engendered in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area which does not run in tandem with the wicked spirit, body, mind and heart of Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan.
  5. That, Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan, one of the greatest beneficiaries of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem’s benevolences has a slogan, that, “politics is according to, implying loyalty in politics is 100%” and that after God in his life, is Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, then, at what point did “according to” turn to leaving the stage now, now, now. Oh! What manner of man is this Uduot Jack Akpan.

In the light of this glaring wicked orchestra, outright deceit, slander, charade, low sense of integrity and dishonour displayed by Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan, we are poised to summit;

A. That, Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan should within 24 hours from now tender an unreserved and perfectly written apology to Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem in other to withdraw his unsavory remarks against OUR BRAND, ICON AND LEADER.

B. That, we will not hesitate to politically ostracize Mr. Uduot Jack Akpan from the ward or declare him a persona non-grata if he fails to apologize to Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem.

C. In the same vein, we want to use this medium to state our unalloyed support to the Darling of the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District People, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, given his unprecedented tract records, leadership acumen and political will.

C. We also wish to declare that our unflinching Support also goes to Hon. Aniekan Umanah to complete his second term in office, as well as, Hon. Mfon Idung to go back for a second term, to complete his eight years mandate, since Ika extraction had enjoyed an uninterrupted eight years.

Signed: ……………………

Long live Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem

Long live Abak Federal Constituency

Long live Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency

Long live Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Long live Etim Ekpo Ward 6 (formerly ward 5)

Esv: James Iniama joined Gov Udom Emmanuel and other Dignitaries for The Commissioning of the Special Protection Unit Base of the Nigeria Police Force (SPU-Base), Awa – Iman, Onna LGA, AKS.Wednesday, 19th January, 19th 2022.

Gov. Udom Emmanuel today commissioned an ultra-modern facilities for the Special Protection Unit Base of the Nigeria Police Force. (SPU-Base), Awa-Iman, Onna LGA.

In his commissioning speech, His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel noted that Nigeria Police Force will immediately commence operations at exquisitely finished facility with offices and residential quarters and other ranks established specially for the operations of the Special Protection Unit Base.He expressed gratitude to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman, PSC(+) NPM fdc, for cooperating with the State Government and for honoring the state with his presence at the commissioning.
To support the immediate take-off of the Unit, Governor Emmanuel announced the donation of different brands of Security Patrol vehicles, all fitted with security gadgets.
In his acceptance speech, Alkali Baba Usman announced the designation of the SPU as Base 27, and donated one patrol vehicle for its operations.
Indeed, by this project you have taken the bull by the horn and supported the Federal Government in addressing infrastructural deficits affecting the operations of the Nigerian Police.
I want to thank Governor Emmanuel for conceptualizing this project, and I assure you that we will sustain the project, he concluded.
Speaking to AKBC-TV and AIT at the commissioning,
Esv James Iniama (FNIVS) congratulated Governor Emmanuel for the bold steps in the project which consists of newly built SPU Ultra modern facilities with staffs quarters and new patrol vehicles, he commended AKSG for the project which he described as visionary. He noted that the project was a further practical demonstration of Governor Udom Emmanuel to the security of the territory of Akwa Ibom State and the people. Initiatives such as this will stimulate growth of our LGA Headquarters just as the State Capital is developing.
Esv James Iniama urged the people of Awa , Onna Local govt Area of Akwa State to embrace the opportunity His Excellency Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as given them prayed that the Officers and men of the Police Base will indeed be friends with the communities and her people.

Dignitaries presence were AKHA Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Chief Of Staff To the Governor, Ephraim Inyanyenyen, State chairman PDP Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan.

GOV EMMANUEL DONATES SPECIAL PROTECTION UNIT, MORE PATROL VEHICLES TO POLICE

A Special Protection Unit Base of the Nigeria Police Force (SPU- Base) initiated and executed by Akwa Ibom Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel has been inaugurated by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman.

The inauguration of the Special Protection Unit Base 27, took place on Wednesday, at Awa, ONNA Local Government Area.

Governor Udom Emmanuel who thanked the IGP for inaugurating the SPU and approving additional equipments for the smooth take-off of the base, reiterated his commitments to partner the Nigeria Police Force for protection of lives and property in the State.

“Today I want to say special thank you to the IGP for making a way, despite all other commitments to give us priority to be here to commission this fantastic facility; not just the best in the south south, but in the country.

“I also want to reassure all the security agencies in the state of our cooperation, our partnership and our collaboration to achieve our primary goal and purpose, our civic and common responsibility to our people, to protect lives and property.”

In furtherance of his demonstration towards strengthening the security architecture in the state, Governor Emmanuel also donated 15 more operational vehicles to support the police and assured of his resolve to fulfilling his promise of 100 vehicles to the Police.

“The Commissioner of Police will tell you that we are on a goal of providing one hundred vehicles to to support the Police.

“We’ve been buying and will keep buying, but for today I have 15 vehicles on ground: ten are Sienna buses and five brand new Hilux trucks, all fully fitted with communication gadgets to start this base. We don’t want this base to lack mobility”, the Governor stated.

In his remarks the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman, commended Governor Emmanuel for the initiative in constructing an ultra- modern Special Protection Unit, a project he described as a legacy which demonstrates the commitment of the governor to the security of the State.

The IGP further applauded the governor in his efforts in addressing critical infrastructural deficits affecting the operations of the Nigeria Police, adding that, the positive effects of the project will soon be felt.

Alkali Usman, announced the designation of the SPU as base 27, and donated one patrol vehicle for its operations.

“Indeed, by this project you have taken the bull by the horn and supported the Federal Government in addressing infrastructural deficits affecting the operations of the Nigeria Police.

I want to thank Governor Emmanuel for conceptualizing this project, I assure you that we will sustain the project.

“To support the immediate takeoff of this facility, I have approved the following to be provided to this facility; that the base is designated as Special Protection Unit Base 27, Awa Iman, ONNA, Akwa Ibom, the allocation and delivery of a brand new pick-up vehicle will be delivered, immediate deployment of the commanding officer, 2nd in command and other key officers and operatives as well as the organization of a special training for all personnel to be in tune with the peculiar operational environment”, the IGP announced.

Media Unit
Govt House, Uyo
19/02/22

James Iniama Lauds Rt. Hon. Barr. Etetim Onuk For Organizing 2022 Thanksgiving Service & Rededication Of The Local govt Council And The Entire People Of Itu To God.Date: 17th January, 2022.

Theme: The Voice Of Triumph.

The Estate Surveyor also shared his experience with the people, on how he and his friends went to the slave Beach to witness and pray many years ago to deal with the actrocities of slave trade.
Pastor Emmanuel Bassey, led the council Chairman, Rt. Hon. Etetim Onuk, Member representing Itu State constituency,Hon KufreAbasi Edidem, former SSG, Obonganwan Grace Ekong and members of Itu Local Government Legislative council in prayers of confession and repentance, and Rededication of the land and it’s people to God for God’s blessings upon Itu people.
ESV James Iniama ( FNIVS) stressed the need to pray for
forgiveness beacuse of the ancestral sins where twins were killed in their land as a result of evil practices. Reaffirming his resolve to focus on good, he also thanked God and prayed that God will favour the people of Itu.
Iniama, an intercessor prayed for a change in character and attitude towards Itu as a project. Speaking during the event at Itu Council Hall, Mbak Atai Itam, Itu LGA. thanked God for unity and progress and for keeping the people safe. He expressed regrets over the killing of innocent twins during the time of their forefathers, and assured all citizens that with God all things are possible.
James Iniama urged his constituents to remain stronger, united and formidable as a people. He thanked God for being the lifter of the heads of Itu citizens.

Esv: James Iniama (FNIVS), Estate Surveyor and Valuer, senior citizen of Akwa Ibom state and Stakeholder in Itu LGA was the Chairman at the Thanksgiving Service & Re-dedication of Itu LGA today at the Council Hall of Itu LGC.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Iniama sang a song of worship/thanksgiving from Palm 136. He also spoke from Jeremiah 12:11 and 1Tomothy 1:18 and enjoined the people of Itu to love the land and the people. He emphasised that the people will find no where else in the world where they would be freeborns as they are in Itu. Speaking on the symbols of Peace and prosperity presented by the Council Chaplain, Rev. Cleopas, Mr. Iniama reminded the people of the previous investments of prayer and intercession in the LGA and charged them never to give God rest until Itu is made a praise in the earth.He advised every Itu citizen to bear the deliverance of Itu as a burden for the success of Itu and to love one another sincerely.

Highlights of the service included songs of praise to God for His blessings towards the local government and prayers for the good people of Itu .

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF THEIR MEETING IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, JANUARY 17, 2022.

The PDP Governors’ Forum held its regular meeting crucial to the sustenance of our Democracy on Monday, 17th January, 2022, at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, the first in the new year. The meeting once again reviewed the state of the States, the state of the nation and THE PDP and issued the following Communique:

  1. The PDP Governors congratulated the entire PDP family for conducting a smooth and credible National Convention that led to the emergence of the highly acclaimed Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu-led National Executive Committee and commended the new PDP NWC for hitting the ground running with respect to repositioning the PDP into a credible vehicle for RESCUING and REBUILDING Nigeria which has been battered by bad economy, insecurity, unemployment and other social ills by the incompetent and inept APC Administration.
  2. The PDP Governors requested the National Assembly to quickly conclude deliberations on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill either by overriding Mr President’s veto or deleting areas of complaints. The meeting advised that the option of sustaining Mr President’s veto would lead to a quicker resolution and would deny Mr President the opportunity to once again truncate a reformed Electoral jurisprudence for Nigeria. An early concluded Electoral Act is vital for credible elections.
  3. The meeting lamented the continued state of insecurity in the country, the persistent and ceaseless flow of Nigerians’ blood on a daily basis in many parts of Nigeria, the near collapse of the security situation in Nigeria. The strategies to confront terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminals is still a major problem of the APC administration.
  4. The meeting expressed regrets that Mr President is unwilling, from his recent comments discountenancing the proposals for state policing, to participate in reviewing the structural problems of tackling insecurity in Nigeria and urges Mr President to reconsider his position and consider decentralisation and restructuring of the security architecture as the most viable solution, together with proper arming, funding and training requirements for Security Agencies.
  5. The Nigerian Economy has continued to deteriorate and Nigerians have become numb and accustomed to bad economic news as exemplified by the inconsistent and differential exchange rate regime, high interest rates, unsustainable unemployment figures and borrowing spree some of which have not been applied to important projects, and other bad economic indicators. In particular, it is clear that the APC Government is a massive failure when compared with the records of PDP in government. The PDP handed over a $550 billion economy (the largest in Africa), but under APC, Nigeria is the Poverty Capital of the world. In 2015, under PDP, the exchange rate was N198 per Dollar, it is now under APC almost N500 to a Dollar; In 2015, unemployment rate was 7.3% under PDP, it is now 33%, one of the highest in the world under APC; In 2015, the Pump price of Petroleum was N87 per litre, it is now N165 per litre and climbing under APC. Debt Servicing now under APC takes over 98% of the Federal budget. The tales of woe is endless.
  6. The PDP Governors noted that the management of our Oil and Gas resources, the administration of Federation Account remittances have remained opaque, confusing and non – transparent. In addition, the transition to NNPC Ltd under the Petroleum Industry Act has not been properly streamlined to ensure that the interests of all the tiers of Government are protected, consistent with the 1999 Constitution.
  7. The meeting urged eligible Nigerians of all walks of life, particularly the Youths, to register en masse with INEC to exercise their franchise in the 2023 general elections. It further noted that the next election is a very consequential election that should be used to end the dominance of very youth unfriendly APC Government; a government that had the arrogance to deny Nigerian youths of the use of TWITTER, a business friendly tool for the young, for over a year. The youths should empower themselves to determine who leads them.
  8. The PDP Governors congratulated the Chief Host, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, for the very high standards of hosting and for the great leadership performance he has entrenched in Rivers State.
  9. The PDP Governors wished Nigerians and PDP Members a happy new Year.

In attendance are:
Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR- Sokoto State – Chairman
Gov. Udom Emmanuel – Akwa Ibom State – Member
Gov. Sen. Douye Diri – Bayelsa State – Member
Gov. Samuel Ortom -Benue State -Member
Gov. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa – Delta State – Member
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Enugu State – Member
Gov. Nyesom Wike, CON – Rivers State – Member
Gov. Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde – Oyo State – Member
Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri -Adamawa State -Member
Gov. Bala Mohammed -Bauchi State – Member

The Senior Special Assistant to His Excellency ,Governor Udom Emmanuel on Electoral matters, Barr Igwat Umoren, yesterday, consulted the serving Senator representing Akwa Ibom North/West Senatorial District and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Senatorial District, Senator (Engr) Christopher Ekpenyong.

Barr Igwat Umoren, who was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical matters and Due Process, Engr Ufot Ebong; immediate past Vice Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government area, Hon Etiutom Ediene; Mr Ini Ekpat, Ikpaisong Koko Ekpo and other party faithfuls, spoke of his deep gratitude at the lavish show of love and reception accorded his team by the distinguished Senator.

Barr. Umoren while speaking further said he owed a solemn duty to first consult and intimate Senator Ekpenyong in his capacity as the incumbent custodian of the people’s mandate , of his desire and readiness to succeed him at the Senate and further serve the people of the senatorial district. He hinted that his choice of modus was borne out of his deep respect for institutions, long shared family ties, traditions and the fatherly role the Senator had always played in his life.

Responding, distinguished Senator Ekpenyong expressed unbridled delight at the aspiration of Barr. Igwat Umoren whom he described as a brother and a son. He posited that what was needed at the expiration of his tenure was an enduring and workable structure that would best serve the interests of the senatorial district.

Engr. Ekpenyong noted that the Senatorial district will need a senator who is humble and intellectually sound to fast track sustainable development strides amidst the present day realities and not one who would for the simple reason of embezzling same .He said he had no doubt that Barr Igwat Umoren fits the bill.

He spoke extensively about Barr Igwat Umoren’s veritable human relations traits and invited all to take advantage and invest in “this elevated mind”

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OBA ACCUSES AKWA IBOM LAWMAKERS OF N2.6B BRIBERY

Members of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have been described as fraudulent, inefficient and non- existent.

They have been accused of condoning the fleecing of the treasury by the executive arm of government and extorting bribe from Governor Udim Emmanuel.

Senator Bassey Albert stated this in a radio interview programme, the Peoples Parliament monitored in Uyo on Tuesday.

The Senator stated that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has paid deaf ear to clamours that they should check the excesses of the executive arm of government led by M. Udom Emmanuel, and are only existent to collect bribes and renege on their constitutional functions.

Senator Albert who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and member of the publicity subcommittee of his campaigns, Obong Idorenyin Umanah, accused the House of Assembly members of receiving bribe of 2.6 billion naira from the Governor to maintain sealed lips, rather than probing the alleged recovery of 171 billion naira funds used in executing federal projects.

“We don’t have any House of Assembly. Those greedy people who went and collected 100 million naira each from Gov. Emmanuel when we made noise about the 171 billion naira that the Governor collected from the federal government, are not fit to be called House of Assembly members”. OBA exclaimed.

The two term senator who is eyeing the nest governorship seat, also warned the Governor against any possible attempt to hinder him from emerging as his successor in 2023.

“Gov. Emmanuel should just forget about choosing a successor. He should focus on completing his projects before his tenure ends.

“Akwa Ibom people are now matured, they know who they want as their Governor.

“They have seen various governors since the time of Obong Attah, to this current Governor. They now want a giver, someone who can give because it is not everyone that will work in the industries.

“If the Governor attempts to stop the popular candidate from emerging in PDP, then that candidate will go to another party and will still win”

A’IBOM STATE CIVIL SERVICE, ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO BE AUTOMATED FOR EFFICIENCY

Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced the automation of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service and Asset Management System (AMS) for transparency and efficiency of its operations.

Governor Emmanuel made this known on Thursday, while declaring open a one-day Training Workshop on the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for the State Executive Council members at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo.

The Governor said the automation of the service will reposition it for more efficiency and seamless operations, adding that challenges earlier experienced with promotions, retirements, pensions and gratuity will be a thing of the past as errors will be minimised.

The State Chief Executive further said the full automation of the service will be completed by January 31, 2022, assuring that the integration of the Human Resource Management System and Asset Management System will be safe as its operations will be backed with an efficient storage device to enhance productivity.

“We want to leave the Civil Service much better than we met, we will first of all start with automation of the full Asset Management Processes of government and we want to do automation of the contract systems, how contracts are awarded, how they are being paid for, how they are monitored, how progress is made, everything then completion and releases.

‘Then the critical aspect that we must anchor from the point you join the Civil Service up to the point you become a pensioner is what we are doing right now it is called Human Resource Management (HRM) application software which is what we are doing right now and we intend to do a live cut-over by January 31 so that we can go live.

“Every single person must go live by January 31. So anybody coming to work on February 1 in the MDAs is coming into a total different approach and I’m believing that the Asset Management will do a total cutover by March 31.

“So by April 1, I won’t do anything manual again, including vehicle requisitions.

“What that means is that a whole lot of things that were done manually before now will be fully automated. We are trying to make it user friendly and you can access it anywhere with your phones and laptops once you have a smart device you can access the system especially the HRM system where you can check on any information.

“The benefits are enormous in terms of cost, efficiency and information management and we are trying to reduce error in the system”

‘’The whole complaints about pension, gratuity, even issues of payroll, promotions, ghost workers, paying the wrong people and the likes, will be sorted out immediately, so once people enter this system, the system will work automatically: promotions, retirement, pensions, and gratuity; it is supposed to be a fully integrated HRM systems”, the Governor added.

In his opening remarks, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his policy to introduce automation of the Civil Service, which he noted will upgrade operations of service from analogue to digital.

Elder Essien said the training and re-training of key and principal operators of Human Resource Management remains a cardinal objective of enhancing efficiency of Civil Service, and appealed to the Governor to build a data center to store hardware components of Human Resource Management.

“Let me thank the Governor for giving us the idea to push and the needed resources to introduce this system of efficiently running the Akwa Ibom Civil/Public Service and thereby upgrading it from analogue to digital and automated service.

“Please permit me your Excellency the Governor to request Ministry of Housing to expedite action on the building of a Data Center for safe housing of the hardware components of both the HRMS and AMS”, he added.

Media Unit
Govt House, Uyo
06/01/22

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE: THE UDOM EMMANUEL ERA IN ORO NATION

With the charge on contractors to ensure they maximize the gains of the dry season and complete all road projects at their disposal, Akwa Ibom is now a beehive of activities, becoming one huge construction site. Before now, radio stations in the State used to be buzzing with complaints, genuine ones of course, of poor roads within Oron metropolis. A tale of neglect and despair.

The story of Oron Federal Constituency has changed with the deliberate policy of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led Government to reinvent the good old days of Oro nation. The erosion that cut off the main expressway into the area, Oron Road, has been arrested and the road reclaimed.

A visit to the coastal area today, could show that while most projects have been completed, some others are at various stages of completion. The projects completed are the emergency works on the completion of urban roads, with over ten roads completed and inaugurated by Governor Udom Emmanuel. The roads include, Anwana Esin Road, Efiat Lane, Mainland Avenue, Bassey Lane, Post Office Road, Convent – Ebo Street, Asbestonit/Customs Road, Oron Market Road, Murtala Road and Oron Express road-a distance of 600 meters from the Stadium road junction to Isangedighi Street junction, all handled by Chinese firm, Wizchino Engineering Limited.

It is worthy of note that the ongoing at the 14.5kilometer Airport – Okopedi Road, linking Nsit Atai with Okobo on a dual thoroughfare was re-awarded in June 2019 to DPL Construction Company, Lagos and is at 28% progress. Still in Okobo, a Six kilometer road to the major Atabong Market, the Nung Atai – Ebighi Eta – Atabong Market Road is 30% completion and work is intensifying on the project, handled by Dubai Construction Nigeria Limited.
Other roads in the area are the 16.5km Udung Uko Secretariat Road, linking Ulliong Edikor – Uduetta Road with Spur to connect Udung Uko, Oron and Mbo local government areas. The road is at 82% completion and is handled by EVOMEC Global Services. And for those who may have forgotten, the government has reawarded the 19km Etebi – Enwang Road project to Amitec Construction and Development Limited, and work has reached 78 percent completion.
Before you dispute the facts, please find time to visit the location of these projects, I took time to visit all the locations.

…Essien Ndueso, Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, wrote.

COMPLETION AGENDA

Gov Udom Has Expended Over N20Bn gratuity to Retirees Since 2015 – Media Group

  • Warns Political Jobbers Against Blackmail

A group of professionals, under the aegis of Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum, has frown at smear campaigns by certain persons against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on allegations of non payment of entitlements to retired workers in the state.

They have described the smear campaigners as purveyors of falsehood out to tarnish the Governor’s efforts, despite the huge revenue channelled by the administration to settle former civil servants on the state.

The group, in a press statement endorsed by its Chairman Elder Ofonime Isong and made available to journalists in Uyo, the state capital, on Wednesday stated: “The Forum wishes to state categorically that in Akwa Ibom State, workers and pensioners get their monies every month, even before the allocation from the federation account gets to the state.

“This can be buttressed by available records which show that since assumption of office, Governor Udom Emmanuel has released and paid over N20 billion as gratuity to retirees. Though there are some persons who haven’t receive theirs yet, a greater percentage from records, have been duly paid.”

According to the Group: “What is more disturbing about this group is that they have elected to sacrifice the collective interest of the state on the altar of destructive politics and selfish interest. Thus, it is more endangering to the state when actions capable of causing disunity come from people who are the beneficiaries of the magnanimous gestures of government.”

They posited that it is impossible for a governor who places high premium on retirees since assumption of office in 2015 to suddenly become their enemy.

“This line of thoughts questions the authenticity of the protest, because ‘authentic retirees’ have adequate information on the state of pensions in the state.”

Checks by the forum indicates that the protest by imaginary retirees in the State was sponsored by agents of mischief with the sole aim of forestalling the recent signing of a deal for the purchase of new Airbuses for the state airline in Dubai.

What this implies is that it was a politically- motivated protest aimed at jeopardizing the efforts of the Governor at bringing development to the state.

According to the statement, “It was an obscurantist art, designed to confer on the Governor a bad reputation in order of dissuade Foreign Direct Investments from coming into Akwa Ibom”.

The group maintained that in Akwa Ibom State, workers and pensioners get their monies every month, even before the allocation from the federation account gets to the state. “This can buttressed by available records which show that since assumption of office, Gov. Udom Emmanuel has released and paid over N20 billion as gratuity to retirees”.

“It’s impossible for a governor who places high premium on retirees since assumption of office in 2015 to suddenly become their enemy. This line of thought questions the authenticity of the protest, because “authentic retirees” have adequate information on the state of pensions in the state. The Forum therefore argues that the protest was not harbingered by retirees in the state, but by miscreant elements and impostors who are bitter about the increasing accolades poured on Governor Udom Emmanuel by more and more organisations and leaders in Nigeria. The doctored messages they displayed on placards testify to the above.

To this end, it must be noted that payment of gratuity is just a tiny fraction of the fiscal responsibilities of Government. It is certainly not her only responsibility. Despite this fact, we have seen the determined efforts the State Government has put-in to ameliorate the plight of retirees as far back as 25 years ago. Thus, we in Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum hereby advise the public to to discountenance the activities of these conflict contractors whose mischief is mainly to paint the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel in bad light through sponsored Protests.As a peace loving Governor with a listening ear to the senior citizens and people from all walks of life, there is no doubt that the Governor will do his best to ensure that those who sacrificed their productive years in the service of humanity are adequately remunerated”.

“We caution the public to vigilant at this point to in order to be able to dictate fraudulent deceptions, especially, as the state gets into the era transition politics and electioneering. We also urge desperate politicians and fifth -columnists to desist from degenerative actions aimed at discrediting the administration of Governor Emmanuel who has garnered unprecedented goodwill from the people through the Completion Agenda”.