Connect with us

Headlines

Communities in Akwa Ibom bemoan bad state of roads

Published

on

Residents of the towns surrounding the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, have complained about flooding on the access road to the communities, which acts as a significant alternate route to the stadium.

They bemoaned that the road, which had become awful and inaccessible, had caused enormous suffering to the villages, particularly during the rainy season.

The road was tarred from Goodluck Boulevard to the stadium’s main entrance, except for the stretch immediately following the stadium, which runs through four communities: Obio Etoi, Obio Offot, Use Ikot Ebio, and Ikot Ntuen Nsit, all the way to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

The untarred section of the road had been subjected to constant flooding, occasioned by the drainage channeled from the stadium into the communities.
Speaking with reporters while lamenting the predicament of the communities on Thursday, the community liaison officer, Mr. Ntiense Okon, said the deplorable state of the Stadium Road being the major access road from the stadium into the communities had caused many residents to relocate.

Okon said the Stadium Road spanned over 2.9 km and its construction was necessary in order to provide alternative route to the stadium in case of medical emergency.

He said; “This road is nearer to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital than the Abak axis and if constructed it will provide rapid medical response in case of emergency.”
He regretted that the road’s bad condition has hampered economic activity in the villages by submerging farmlands and residential buildings during the rainy season.

Another resident, Chief Idongesit Udofia of Afaha Nsit village, one of the neighboring communities, urged the outgoing governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to ask contractors to come and help the communities before leaving office on May 29th, 2023.

He said that the impassable status of the road had increased criminal activity in the communities because police could not approach them during distress calls.

Udofia also said that sordid state of the road into the host communities of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was likened to the cliché of living on the bank of the river and washing one’s hands with spittle.

“We were excited when the stadium was sited on our land, now we cannot access our houses because of bad road occasioned by drainage channeled into our communities. When they play international matches, security operatives even stop us from going into our houses,” Udofia alleged.

He said that the construction of the International Stadium road was necessary to ameliorate the suffering of the residents and indigenes of the communities.

Also, a community leader in Obio Etoi village, Prince Godwin Udofia, pleaded with the outgoing governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to visit the host communities of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and bring succour to the residents before his final exit from government.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headlines

18-storey Ibom Towers ready in 24 months – AKSG

Published

on

By

…SANWO-OLU, ATTAH, OBA EULOGISE PROJECT

As measures towards economic diversification, Akwa Ibom State Government has flagged off an 18-storey Ibom Towers, today, in Lagos with a promise that the project will be completed in 24 months.

The groundbreaking ceremony was performed by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu, to the admiration of former Akwa Ibom Governors, Udom Emmanuel and Obong Victor Attah, among eminent Nigerians.

The project expected to drive substantial revenue and GDP growth for both states, providing much-needed economic diversification amid Nigeria’s current financial challenges.

Governor Umo Eno explained that the project was meant to generate income and create job opportunities for the State.

“Anytime leaders invest in forward-looking projects like this, there are challenges,but a leader must look into the future.”

“With Ibom Towers, both Akwa Ibom and Lagos are demonstrating how unity and vision can drive prosperity, marking a new era of economic innovation amid national economic downturn”.

He further expressed gratitude for the partnership and his ties to Lagos, underscoring that the project represents the power of bipartisanship.

“This is the essence of bipartisanship; it should not be coloured by political affiliations,” he noted.

Governor Eno expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was once the Governor of Lagos State for his significant contributions to the development of Lagos, emphasising the importance of patience during this period of reforms in Nigeria.

“These changes may be painstaking, but they will bear fruit,” he assured.

Located in the heart of Victoria Island, Ibom Towers will serve as an iconic structure aimed at boosting investments and economic ties, directly benefiting Lagos and Akwa Ibom.

Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the development, highlighting Lagos’ longstanding role as Nigeria’s centre for commerce.

He remarked, “I look forward to seeing this relationship deepen, and who knows, maybe I’ll also invest in an oil well in Akwa Ibom,” adding a light-hearted touch that underscored the states’ shared economic aspirations.

The Managing Director of the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP),Imo-Abasi Jacob, provided a detailed overview of Ibom Towers, describing it as a premium project designed to attract urban professionals.

“Featuring upscale apartments, gyms, pools, and smart building technology, the tower will serve as both a luxury residence and a revenue generator, with income from property leases and tourism expected to enhance GDP growth for both states”, Pastor Jacob said.

In their separate goodwill messages, leaders from both states celebrated the impact of Ibom Towers on revenue and employment.

The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, expressed satisfaction in the project, assuring his support and seeing it as a legacy of Lagos-Akwa Ibom cooperation.

Similarly, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, stressed the value of the initiative in uplifting Akwa Ibom’s profile internationally and encouraged the involvement of young engineers from the state to gain hands-on experience.

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, pledged legislative support, asserting that landmark projects like Ibom Towers elevate Akwa Ibom’s standing nationally.

Former Governor, Obong Victor Attah commended the achievement, viewing it as the realisation of a vision to make Akwa Ibom a key player in real estate and economic growth. “This project represents the fulfillment of long-held aspirations for our state’s prosperity,” he said.

The Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah who said the tone for the event, said the State has been blessed with good leaders, adding that Governor Eno is expanding on the legacies of his predecessors.

Continue Reading

Headlines

Bandits Kill Four Farmers in Isa Local Government Area

Published

on

By

Suspected bandits have reportedly killed four farmers in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with several others still unaccounted for.

The incident occurred at Maridi village around 8 a.m. on Monday, as confirmed by local resident Surajo Isa. He stated that the farmers were ambushed while en route to their fields. “The bandits laid in wait for them, slaughtering four and abducting another four. Some individuals are still missing, and we do not know if they fled into the bush or were also kidnapped,” Isa explained.

He added that two of the deceased farmers were buried the same morning, with preparations underway for the burial of the remaining two. Isa also recounted a previous attack, in which bandits shot two community members—a father and son—last week. The son died instantly, while the father is currently recovering in the hospital.

Alhaji Sharifu Kamarawa, the chairman of the Isa Local Government Area, confirmed the attack to reporters.

When approached for comment, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, spokesman for the Sokoto Police Command, stated that he had not yet been briefed on the incident but promised to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area. However, no further updates were provided by the time of this report.

Continue Reading

Economy

Akwa Ibom State Launches ‘Ibom Utility’ Power Distribution Company Under New Electricity Act

Published

on

By

In a strategic move following the new Electricity Act 2023, Akwa Ibom State has established its own power distribution company, named Ibom Utility.

This company is mandated to purchase and distribute electricity throughout the state.

This development comes on the heels of Enugu State’s recent establishment of a similar distribution company, marking a significant shift in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as it transitions into a new market regime focused on bilateral trading and cost-reflective tariffs.

According to a senior source at Ibom Power, one of Nigeria’s first Independent Power Plants (IPPs), the establishment of Ibom Utility will allow it to compete directly with the Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHDC), which currently serves Akwa Ibom as well as Rivers, Cross River, and Bayelsa states.

“The new Electricity Act has given us the opportunity to sell our power to other distribution companies. One of the challenges we face is that the existing distribution company often does not take sufficient load. With the establishment of Ibom Utility, if PHDC fails to meet its obligations, our state company can step in to manage the load,” the source explained.

Additionally, the new Electricity Act has positioned Ibom Power to engage in bilateral agreements with nearby distribution companies, including Edo, Ibadan, and Eko, to offtake its available generation capacity of approximately 150 megawatts. This strategic move aims to enhance electricity distribution and reliability in Akwa Ibom State.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.