The police in Akwa Ibom have announced that they are fully prepared for the upcoming protests scheduled for October 1.

The police command has expressed its readiness to manage any potential unrest that may arise during the demonstrations.

Timfon John, the spokesperson for the police command, confirmed that the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has strategically deployed operatives throughout the state to ensure the protests do not escalate into chaos.

John emphasized that the police are committed to maintaining peace and urged the residents of Akwa Ibom to carry on with their daily activities without fear of harassment. She reassured the public that comprehensive security measures have been implemented for their safety.

“Regarding the rumored protests, the Commissioner of Police has made the necessary deployments to ensure that no protests take place in Akwa Ibom State. Should there be any protests, we are prepared to ensure they remain peaceful and that no hoodlums can disrupt the tranquility of our community,” she stated.

The forthcoming protests, tagged #FearlessInOctober1, are part of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance movement, which saw demonstrations in various states across Nigeria from August 1 to 10. The police aim to foster an environment where citizens can express themselves without fear of violence or disruption.

Ibom Tourism Nigeria Limited is organizing a Cocktail and Grill Festival on November 19, 2023, to celebrate and promote tourism in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state.

According to Allen Effeh, the project team lead, the festival aims to establish Uyo as a leading brand in tourism promotion by bringing the entire city together for a memorable experience. The festival will feature mouthwatering food, refreshing drinks, captivating music, and an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.

Effeh described the Cocktail and Grill Festival as the ultimate gathering of food-tertainment enthusiasts in Nigeria, showcasing the vibrant street food culture of Uyo. The festival also intends to promote healthy drinking habits and highlight the art of crafting cocktails.

The event will recognize and honor individuals and brands that contribute passionately to the craft and hospitality industry, particularly the local grills and recipes for which Uyo is renowned.

Effeh, whose organization, Ibom Tourism Ltd., has been dedicated to promoting Akwa Ibom as a tourist destination for over a decade, emphasized the importance of promoting tourism in the state. He pointed to the ARISE Agenda manifesto of Governor Pastor Umo Eno, which prioritizes the tourism sector and has been backed by concrete actions.

The festival presents a unique platform for individuals, entrepreneurs, media, and brands to connect with potential clients and customers by becoming sponsors or partners. It offers opportunities for activation and visibility within the vibrant festival atmosphere.

This Cocktail and Grill Festival promises to be a significant event for Uyo and Akwa Ibom state, celebrating the city’s culture, cuisine, and hospitality while boosting the local tourism industry.

Akwa Ibom, once lauded as the cleanest State in Nigeria, now faces an overwhelming challenge with refuse dumps spreading across its streets and major markets in both the metropolis and suburbs.

“We pay sanitation fee in Itam Market even here we are selling, but look at how the place is. Though sometimes they come to evacuate the waste but this place is always dirty,” expressed Madam Imoh, a water leaf seller near a refuse dump.

The waste heaps are particularly concentrated in the markets, and traders, especially those selling fruits and other edibles, continue to operate in close proximity to these refuse dumps, despite the noxious stench oozing from the sites. This poses not only a health threat to these vulnerable sellers, mostly women, but also to the customers who unknowingly purchase contaminated foods and fruits.

According to Barr Clifford Thomas, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights and Development Advancement (FOCEHRADA), the government’s waste management system is faulty and unsustainable. He commented, “What we do is clean, pack refuse from some key points in Akwa Ibom State, film those key points, do a report to whoever gives that award and at the end of the day, we are described as the cleanest state in Nigeria. The ability to sustain that is doubtful.”

Thomas further revealed a distressing revelation about the Uyo Village Road dumpsite, stating that it serves as a major water source for 24 local government areas in the state. However, it has been contaminated with waste, leading to an increase in cases of malaria and typhoid fever in the state. “The place where we dump waste in Akwa Ibom State is supposed to be a UNESCO site. That place has a spring because it leads straight to the water level where the water table is. It is a UNESCO heritage site but they have destroyed it,” he added.

In response to the mounting waste issue, Prince Akpan Ikim, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), acknowledged the increased volume of waste generated in Uyo. He assured the public that his agency was diligently working to address the problem by identifying places with a high volume of wastes.

Ikim attributed the situation to the state’s population growth and the high cost of hiring waste trucks due to expensive diesel prices. “We will try as much as possible to be on top of our game,” he stated.

The Chairman also lamented that some local government councils were shortchanging the agency by introducing their own by-laws and collecting sanitation fees in markets without maintaining cleanliness. He urged these local governments to use the collected fees to properly evacuate waste from markets.

“Some local governments woke up and said they have done a by-law on the environment. Those persons have also devised a means for collecting sanitation fees in local markets. I will not evacuate waste for you in a market where you are collecting fees,” said Chairman Ikim.

The waste management crisis in Akwa Ibom demands urgent attention and effective solutions to prevent further environmental degradation and protect public health. Without prompt and sustainable action, the state’s reputation as once being the cleanest in Nigeria may become a distant memory, overshadowed by the pressing waste menace.