TheNewsGuru

Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Akwa Ibom Govt sharing COVID-19 palliatives received since July as Christmas gifts – APC

    Akwa Ibom Govt sharing COVID-19 palliatives received since July as Christmas gifts – APC

    The All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom has accused the state government of sharing Covid-19 palliatives as Christmas gifts, describing the alleged action as an act of impudence.

    The party in a press release signed by its state publicity secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere on Friday alleged that the Covid-19 food items by donated in July by a coalition of private sector players led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    The press release reads in part, ”Another end-of-year folly from the administration is its decision to share, as Christmas gifts, the truck loads of COVID-19 food items sent to the state since July by the nation’s private sector coalition led by Dangote Group and other donors.

    ”The sight of these food items being shared in the country home of the governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, to PDP members as Christmas gifts is galling. How selfish, mean and wicked could these people be to have hoarded these items since July, deny Akwa Ibom people of its use during the lockdown, and now turn around to share it to their party members only. It is the height heartlessness.

    ”We also recall that the federal government had sent a truckload of rice to the state earlier in the year. The governor had claimed in a radio interview then that the rice didn’t appear good for consumption, and that he was going to send it for laboratory tests. Is the test result out? We are sure that the rice has been surreptitiously distributed to PDP members in the state.”

    But the state government in a press release signed by the commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong explained that the sharing of the palliatives has nothing to do with the yearly Christmas gifts.

    ”The State Government had earlier in November this year intimated on the arrival of palliative materials from CACOVID (Coalition against COVID) which is a private sector driven corporate social responsibility contribution to the fight against the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. It was also announced that when the full consignment from the donors berths in our state, distribution will commence.

    ”The structure for the distribution of these palliatives at the LGA level is very inclusive, having representation from people living with disabilities, women, youths, religious organizations, professional bodies and opposition parties under the platform of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee.

    ”This committee supervises the distribution of these palliatives to the people passing through the intermediary ward distribution structure. The distribution, which is largely decentralized to conform to COVID-19 protocols, has started and is ongoing.

    ”The focus of this batch of palliative distribution apart from the LGAs are media, orphanage homes, medical workers, security personnel, traders, Labour, entertainers and students.

    ”This distribution of palliative is clearly different from the usual end of year goodwill gift of rice to different categories of people,” the government said.

  • PANDEF chairman, Idongesit Nkanga is dead

    PANDEF chairman, Idongesit Nkanga is dead

    Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga has been reported dead.

    Though no official statement has so far been released to confirm the demise of the 68 year old two-time Director General of Divine Mandate Campaign organisation of Governor Udom Emmanuel, he is widely rumoured to have died of Covid—19.

    Nkanga, who according to sources has had a long battle with Covid-19, died on Thursday (Christmas eve).

    The late Nkanga was Akwa Ibom governor from September 1990 to 1992 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, handing over to an elected civilian Governor at the start of the Nigerian Third Republic. Ufot Ekaette, who later became the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was his deputy.

    He retired as an air commodore in the Nigerian Airforce.

    As the chairman of PANDEF, Nkanga was very vocal in the campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria and the development of the country’s Niger Delta region.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that neither the late Nkanga’s family, nor the Akwa Ibom State Government and PANDEF have released statements confirming his death.

    More details later…

  • Sad! One dead in Akwa Ibom gas flaring accident

    Sad! One dead in Akwa Ibom gas flaring accident

    A certain employee of ExxonMobil has been confirmed dead and another wounded in a gas flaring accident that occurred at the processing unit of the Qua Iboe Terminal In the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred on December 13, 2020, when the victims both supervisors at the QIB processing unit decided to light up the gas flaring which exploded causing the accident.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Two supervisors went to put on the gas flaring plant that was shut down for maintenance, the victims were told to light up gas flare plant which is the excess gas from the flare when the accident occurred killing one and injuring another.

    “If the flare is off, the whole QIT will be in a blackout because the gas flare is used to power the turbine that supplies light to ExxonMobil facility in Mkpanak I Ibeno LGA of Akwa Ibom State.”

    It was gathered that the processing unit where the accident occurred had been cordoned off.

    Meanwhile, ExxonMobilMobil Producing Nigeria, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC/MPN Joint Venture, has confirmed the occurrence of a fire incident at the Qua Iboe Terminal on December 13, 2020.

    The company’s Government Relations Adviser, Public and governmental Affairs, Mr Ozemoya Okordion, who confirmed the occurrence of the accident said, “Two employees were injured and both of them received immediate medical attention. One of the employees has passed away.

    “We are saddened by this unfortunate incident and providing support to the family. The safety of our workforce and community remains our priority at all times. An investigation into the incident is ongoing and all appropriate authorities have been notified.”

     

  • Emmanuel commends peaceful Council polls in Akwa Ibom

    Emmanuel commends peaceful Council polls in Akwa Ibom

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has commended the peaceful conduct of the Local Government Councils’ elections in spite of voters’ apathy.

    Emmanuel made the commendation while at his polling unit for accreditation and voting at Awa ward 1, Onna Local Government Area on Saturday.

    He applauded the preparedness of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) for the exercise.

    The governor described the processes leading up to the elections as transparent.

    “I think this is one of the peaceful elections we have ever conducted. I drove from Uyo down here trying to monitor the elections.

    “I like the quietness and orderliness of the elections and I am also appreciating the preparedness of AKISIEC, the quality of materials; it is of a very high standard.

    “They can keep it up, and even the transparency of the processes is commendable.

    “They have done a good work but it is unfortunate that people will still be complaining even when we score the process 99 per cent. I would only encourage them to do more,’’ he said.

    Emmanuel said that as the governor of the state he had confidence in the local government system.

    “I have confidence in the elections. If I didn’t have confidence, why should I waste my time coming here?

    “I have confidence much more than ever before. This is the most peaceful election,’’ he said.

  • NACA reveals two Nigerian states with highest number of HIV positive patients

    NACA reveals two Nigerian states with highest number of HIV positive patients

    Latest quarterly fact sheet of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that that two states – Akwa Ibom and Benue – have the highest number of HIV positive persons in the country.

    According to the report, 48 out of every 1,000 persons selected at random in the states are likely to test positive for HIV, which is higher than the national average – 13 in every 1,000 persons.

    This brings the HIV prevalence rate in Nigeria to 1.3 per cent, according to the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).

    Other states, like Taraba, Anambra and Abia, have the next highest HIV prevalence rate of 2.6, 2.2, and 2.0 per cent.

    The report shows that states in the North have the lowest HIV prevalence rate.

    Speaking on the trends of HIV prevalence across Nigeria, NACA Director-General Dr. Gambo Aliyu said: “This is largely first because of behaviour.

  • S’Court strikes out Bayelsa’s suits against Akwa Ibom, Rivers on Soku oil wells

    S’Court strikes out Bayelsa’s suits against Akwa Ibom, Rivers on Soku oil wells

    The Supreme Court has struck out two suits filed by the Bayelsa State Government against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Akwa Ibom and River states over earnings from disputed Soku oil wells.

    A seven-man panel of the court, headed by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, struck out both suits, marked: SC/SC649/2020 and SC/650/2020 after lawyers to the plaintiff – Biriyai Dambo (SAN) and Kemsauode Wodu – applied for withdrawal.

    At the mention of the first suit, marked: SC/SC649/2020, which had the AGF and Rivers State as defendants, Wodu told the court that his client chose to approach the Supreme Court to among others, to stop the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) from deducting earnings due to Bayelsa State from the Soku oil wells.

    Wodu claimed that the Rivers State Government surreptitiously obtained a judgment at the Federal High Court, without the knowledge of Bayelsa State Government, in respect of which it (Rivers) now lay claim to the Soku oil wells and earnings due from it.

    He said his client has applied for the leave of the lower court to enable it appeal, as in interested party, the judgment allegedly got behind it by the Rivers State Government.

    After listening to him, the Supreme Court panel insisted that there was no way the court could exercise jurisdiction over a case relating to a judgment given by a High Court, in respect of which the Court of Appeal has not made a pronouncement.

    Justice Ngwuta particularly, noted that it was impossible for the Supreme Court to determine the suit by Bayelsa, without touching on the issues determined by the Federal High Court, which would form part of the appeal to be filed at the Court of Appeal.

    Justice Ngwuta added: “What we are saying is that you should withdraw this suit.”

    Another member of the panel, Justice Amina Augie said: “Your best bet is to go to the Court of Appeal.”

    Realising that the court was unmoved by his explanation and that it was unwilling to alter its disposition on the matter, Wodu applied to withdraw the suit, an application lawyers to the defendants, including Tijani Ganzali (for the AGF) did not oppose.

    In a ruling, Justice Ngwuta said: “Suit number, SC/649/2020 having been withdrawn, is hereby struck out.”

    At the mention of the second case, marked: SC/649/2020, lawyer to Bayelsa, Biriyai Dambo (SAN) – who is also the state’s Attorney General – elected to withdraw in view of the court’s position in the earlier case.

    The panel then proceeded to strike out the suit, which had the AGF and Akwa Ibom State as defendants.

    Bayelsa had, in the suits filed earlier this year, prayed the Supreme Court to stop the Federal Government from further paying monthly statutory allocation from Soku oil wells to Rivers State.

    It argued that it stands to lose billions of naira accruable to it should FAAC complies with the demand made by Rivers State, relying on the Federal High Court judgement, that earnings due from the Soku Oil Wells be paid to it.

    Justice Inyng Ekwo of the Federal High Court had, e in December 2019 held among others, that Rivers State owns the disputed Soku oil wells located in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Justice Ekwo declared that after examining all the documents from relevant government agencies and facts before his court, the Soku Oil Wells/fields belong to Rivers State.

    In the second case, Bayelsa State had, among others sought to restrain the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) from withholding its statutory allocation or deducting it in favour of Akwa Ibom State.

  • Udom reviews curfew in Akwa Ibom

    Udom reviews curfew in Akwa Ibom

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State on Saturday reviewed the curfew imposed on the state after some hoodlums looted and unleashed mayhem on public and private properties in the state.

    The curfew imposed on the state took effect from Thursday, October 22 to Saturday, October 24. However, owing to developments and calm gradually returning to the state, the governor adjusted the curfew daily from 8pm – 7am.

    This was revealed in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong.

    Read full statement below:

    GOVERNMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE

    PUBLIC NOTICE
    REVIEW OF CURFEW -DUSK TO DAWN (8pm – 7am)TILL FURTHER NOTICE

    As promised by His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel during his broadcast yesterday, the State security architecture has comprehensively assessed the prevailing security temperature in the State, which was raised by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSARS peaceful demonstration and observed as follows:

    1. That though normalcy has returned to the entire State, especially, Uyo the capital city after the expiration of the curfew which was imposed from Thursday night till Saturday morning, there is a prevailing need to sustain the gains of the curfew, by increased strategic surveillance and holistic law enforcement.

     

    2. That the recovery of looted items currently being executed by the Police is the result of the cooperation and collaboration of informants from the communities.

    To this end, the Governor has directed that, effective today, a daily dusk to dawn (8pm~7am) curfew be imposed State-wide, till further notice, to help check the movement of the remnants of the undesirable elements who created chaos in our State few days ago. It is also the Governor’s directive, gleaned from the agreement by all youth groups in the State, that all demonstrations and protests be suspended forthwith.

    For emphasis, there will be absolute cessation of movement of persons except those on essential duty, who must bear proper identification. Any person who is apprehended within the period of the curfew will be arrested and prosecuted.

    Additionally, citizens are advised to report any suspicious movement of items suspected to be loots from the raid on business premises, or the assembly of strange or known persons, suspected to be plotting an attack on private or public property, to the security operatives, or call our information hotlines 08129778512, 09018596989.

    Signed:

    Comrade Ini Ememobong
    Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy
    24102020

  • #EndSARS protest: Akpabio leads FG peace mission to Akwa Ibom

    #EndSARS protest: Akpabio leads FG peace mission to Akwa Ibom

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Saturday led a delegation from the federal government to Akwa Ibom to assist in restoring peace to the state in the wake of the nationwide #EndSARS protest.

    Akpabio, who was accompanied by other federal appointees from the state including Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, said they were in Akwa Ibom at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking, the minister urged youths of the state to embrace peace as President Buhari was committed to meeting their demands with regard to police reforms.

    Akpabio mentioned that the FG was doing a lot in terms of job creation and development of key economic infrastructure in the state and the Niger Delta region.

    He asked youths of the state to take advantage of social and economic job intervention programmes of the FG, adding that the Buhari administration is desirous of combating poverty and unemployment in the country.

    Akpabio said the #EndSARS protest was capable of scaring away existing and expected investors with the negative economic effects on the state and the region.

    He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel and other governors for setting up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to address concerns of victims of SARS brutality, adding that the FG was ready to work with governors to achieve justice for victims.

    The minister urged all those who have lost their properties in the Thursday carnage to channel their petitions to the judicial commission of enquiry.

    In the same vein, Senator Ita Enang condemned the wanton destruction of lives and properties by miscreants under the guise of the “EndSARS.

  • #EndSARS: Police arrest suspected looters, recover stolen items in Akwa Ibom

    #EndSARS: Police arrest suspected looters, recover stolen items in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom Police Command have arrested 10 persons suspected to have participated in the vandalization, looting and burning of public and private properties during the EndSARS protest in Uyo on Thursday.

    The police also recovered some items worth millions of Naira which were allegedly stolen by the hoodlums from supermarkets, electronic and phone shops.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew told a press conference that the feat was achieved with the assistance of the state government and men of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Security(DSS).

    The CP listed the arrested suspects as Victor Udoeka Effiong, Miss Emediong Michael James, Imedimfon Ime James Isaac John Udoh and Sunday Michael James.

    Others are Wisdom Godswill Reuben, Ntiefon Ime Robert, Akaninyene, Abraham Livinus, Imoh Enobong Sunday ane Isaac Sunday Udo.

    Items recovered included the following; Fourteen (14) deep freezers Six (6) Refrigerators, eight (6) flat Screen televisions, four (4) water dispensers, sixteen (16) bags of rice, four (4) Air conditioners, a printer, chairs, and other items.

    His words, ”As the lead Agency in internal security, we have great respect for peaceful protest and we have acted professionally during its progression in the State.

    ”However, Thursday, some youths with evil intentions in the guise of #ENDSARS went about vandalizing, looting and burning some Government and private property including the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), Anchor Insurance, De Choice Shopping Mall, L.G showroom, and Access Bank Plc. I have visited all the said places today with my Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Auwal M. Mohammad, and have made an on-the-spot assessment of damages done.

    ”I commend the State Government’s timely intervention through the imposition of curfew as I today went round to ensure strict compliance, and we will continue to do so.

    ”I am, however, delighted to inform you that our quick deployment of Anti-Riot Policemen in conjunction with the efforts of sister security agencies such as the Army and DSS, and the efforts of the State Government has restored normalcy in Uyo and the State in general.”

    CP Andrew said the State Police Command will stop at nothing in ensuring that all the looted items are recovered.

  • Emmanuel extends curfew in Akwa Ibom

    Emmanuel extends curfew in Akwa Ibom

    Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has extended the statewide curfew slated to end by 12noon to 7am on Saturday.

    The Governor said the extension was due to emerging situations monitored by security agencies and the needs to protect lives and property of residents.

    A statement signed by the Commissioner for information and Strategy, said: ”Due to developing situations being monitored by the state government and security agencies and the inevitable need to protect citizens and property, based on overriding the public interest, His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has extended the curfew, which was initially due to expire by noon of 23rd October, 2020 till 7am on Saturday, 24th October , 2020. This curfew has statewide effect.

    ”Expectedly, there will be a total cessation of movement, except for those on essential duties, who must show a proper identification. All law abiding citizens are advised to remain at home, as security agencies have been briefed to strictly enforce this order”.

    Meanwhile, Speaker Aniekan Bassey has condemned Thursday evening killing of #EndSARS protesters in Uyo.

    He also deplored the wanton destruction of public and private properties by hoodlums under the guise of #EndSARS protests.

    ”On behalf of the leadership and members of the Seventh Assembly, I join millions of Nigerians to condemn the killing of innocent and unarmed youths who were exercising their constitutional right to protest and demand for good governance and better life.

    ”I also condemn in strong terms the act of intimidating our people, destroying and burning of public and private properties in parts of Uyo, looting of business premises and other acts of criminality perpetrated by hoodlums in the guise of #EndSARS protest.

    ”These were not parts of the demands of the #EndSARS protest and will only worsen our woes. There were avoidable tragedies if Mr. President had addressed the concerns of the youths early enough.

    ”I deeply sympathize with families of the slain heroes and pray for speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the course of the peaceful protest. My heart is also with those who lost material possessions, buildings and businesses.

    ”I charge the youths to exercise restraint and allow measures put in place by government to prevail. Please give peace a chance while making your legitimate demands. We cannot afford to support more losses”, he said.