₦airaland Forum

These firm words from Jerry Dorsman that "When you see the world through serene eyes, you generate peace wherever you go", can perfectly describe what is happening in Akwa Ibom State. Peace has come to stay because a man who knows how to generate peace from the original source (God) is at the helms of affairs.

There is absolute tranquility in the land. There's focused and purposeful progress in the state. People can now sleep with their two eyes closed, and this peace transcends to other strata of government, including the traditional institution.

The reason for the peace that everyone is enjoying is as a result of Gov. Emmanuel's Unique leadership style which is God-driven. He has made God to be the first in his life and the resultant effect is the overall peace in every facet of government in the state. No wonder he often refers to the Holy Bible as his number one book of leadership, which depicts the source of his inspiration.

When he assumed leadership in 2015, he didn't meet a crisis-free state, but today crisis has been reduced to its minimum, war quashed and rebellion suppressed. This is so because a man who is an embodiment of peace has chosen to generate that peace to all and sundry.

Today, one can boldly say that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) is peaceful. The recent peaceful transition of power to another EXCO is a testimony that peace has come to stay.

The party has been able to conduct its affairs peacefully, zoning formula respected, with peaceful conduct of congresses and party primaries.

During the 2019 elections, crises were visible in many states of the federation as a result of the conduct of party primaries which led to several litigations that even stopped some parties from filing candidates for the election. But in Akwa Ibom, such is unheard of because the leader of the party in the state is a carrier of peace.

How he does it, no one knows. How he has been able to bring oneness into the party, no one can explain. How he has been able to make everyone speak in unison is still a mystery. But one thing is certain, his leadership style is unique, and the wisdom is from above.

This excellent leadership styl of inclusiveness made the National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party, Uche Secondus to pour glowing tribute on the governor, and commended his style of leadership and the spirit of unity that has swept through all aspects of life in the state.

The recent appointment of Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, a member of the APC, as Pro-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) is a testament of his peaceful and unbiased leadership style. It's rare, especially in Africa for such sensitive office to be given to a member of the opposition party. This goes a long way to show that Gov. Emmanuel is unsentimental, a symbolism of excellent leadership.

Before now, the traditional institution was one leadership cadre that was known for war and tension. To choose a village head, clan head or Paramount ruler was always a tug of war. But today, the peace flowing from the leadership belly of the governor has touched the traditional stool, and peace is circulated everywhere just like electricity from the national grid.

However, the generation of peace throughout the state is equally made possible through the quality of leaders that Gov. Emmanuel has appointed into his administration. He has carefully positioned competent leaders to man different positions, an action that was hitherto influenced by greed and selfish desire to reward political support with appointment, even when they don't have what it takes to function in such office.

His appointees are basically people with proven integrity, creativity, intimidating pedigrees and strong desire to leave a lasting mark on the sand of time.

No wonder the Bible recorded that when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. The joy we are experiencing today is as a result of the peaceful coexistence among leaders in the state, and you already know the principle: It flows from the head to the skirt. Such is a flourishing leadership style and it is marvelous in our eyes.

God bless Akwa Ibom State

God bless Gov. Udom Emmanuel


Written by Richard Peters

A'IBOM GOVT TO HARVEST 100,000 TOMATOES WEEKLY, BEGINNING AUGUST

By Mfonobong Ukpong

As part of the post Covid19 economic activities of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration, the government is poised to boost tomato availability in the state with a weekly harvest of over 100,000 tomatoes beginning from the third week of August this year.

Already, about 108,000 tomato seedlings plantation is currently being cultivated on 7 hectares of farmland at Ifiayong and Mbiakong communities in Uruan local government area of the state.

Speaking with newsmen, Tuesday at the tomato farmland, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Co-ordinator of the project Mr. Ufot Ebong explained that he got a marching order from the Governor to ensure that Tomato cultivation which began in 2016 with a pilot programme was mass cultivated across the 10 federal constituencies in the state.

Ebong further explained that the idea behind the new Tomato plantation at Ifiayong was to ensure that the state is self sufficient in tomato production and to make it available for local and international market.

"During the lockdown we realized we were able to feed ourselves because of the food sufficiency programme of the Governor.

"What we are doing here is to perfect what we started in 2016 in terms of cultivating 22 different types of vegetable.

"We will transplant this tomato seedlings from the Nursery here to the farm which is being prepared as you can see the bed making in preparation for tomatoes cultivation of 108,000 seedlings of tomatoes".

A Supervisor working at the plantation, Idongesit Eshiet who is a graduate of Agric Economics and Extension, hailed Governor Udom Emmanuel for his commitment in ensuring food security and availability in the state.

"I used to assume that tomato production was exclusively for the North, but to the glory of God, His Excellency through Ufot Ebong has changed that mentality.

"Few days from now we will transplant the tomato seedlings. What I'm doing here has really added value to me. A lot of people travel out of this state to do this bed tilling in the North".

In every week from the third week of August they will be harvesting over a 100,000 tomatoes. It is a continuous cycle.

GOV EMMANUEL APPROVES 80 PERCENT INCREMENT FOR HEALTH WORKERS SALARY*
...WARNS AGAINST COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 

Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced an upward salary review of 70 to 80 percent for Akwa Ibom State health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, assuring of his administration's sincerity to the welfare of health workers even in the face of daunting challenges affecting the global economy. 

In a statewide electronic media interview over the weekend, Governor  Emmanuel said the review was occasioned by the hazards the health workers are exposed to in the course of their duties particularly at this time of Coronavirus pandemic.

He called on workers across the state to always be understanding and considerate in their demands, considering the global pandemic and insisting that the task of building the state was a collective responsibility for all indigenes.

"I have just finished upward review of salary for health workers in the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the review we have done is between seventy to eighty percent which I signed for immediate implementeation

"For workers, please this is not the time to make unnecessary demands, let's try and be responsible in our demands as well as our actions", he appealed.

The Governor who maintained that his administration is not leaving any stone unturned in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, warned that the state has entered a community transmission stage of the disease and emphasised the need for all to checkmate further spread of the disease by adhering to the safety guidelines.

"We have also observed high level of non-compliance by people that we meet in the street, we were thinking that the level of compliance will get high surprisingly the reverse is the case but we are appealing to the people to be safety concious because in this case government can only provide limited steps in the entire guidelines.

"Please you have to do a lot more for your selves to determine that you don’t contact the virus and that will save us a whole lot,7 once you contact this virus, as a governor I don’t sleep”, he stated.

He hinted that testing for the Coronavirus disease would increase in the state with the activation of the second PCR laboratory awaiting certification by Nigeria Center for Disease Control , NCDC, adding that the state has taken delivery of additional three containers of medical equipments even as a three hundred capacity Oxygen Plant is being built at the General Hospital, Ituk Mbang to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen to at least three hundred patients at a time .?

“I am glad to inform you that the state has activated the second PCR laboratory and it is one hundred percent ready. We are awaiting NCDC certification so be rest assured that we will soon step up the testing in the state.

"Also, we're building a first of its kind Oxygen Plant in Ituk Mbang. The Plant will be containerized and will be able to give oxygen to 300 patients at a time and with the required amount of oxygen needed by each of the patients", he explained.

Governor Emmanuel stated that the 8pm to 6am curfew in the state has not been lifted but would be reviewed after 31st of July, explaining that the post COVID-19 situation and security of lives and property are top priority of government that needed to be managed properly.

The Governor however frowned at the flouting of regulations for public gatherings including weddings and funeral ceremonies, noting that government relaxed on the restrictions to give the people a sense of relief but regretted that the reliefs  were being seriously abused .

"We have our reasons for stressing that people at such gatherings must wear facemask, be provided with hand sanitizers, maintain social distance and observe all guidelines and if it is inside the church it must not be more than 30 people.

"I tried to show a bit of understanding by not adding to the pain of people losing a loved one and being unable to bury the corpse but people take it for granted and dared government, we are doing all these because we care for your life”, he emphasized.

The Governor maintained that his government is working out modalities to facilitate the reopening of educational institutions begining with external examination classes of JSS3 and SS3 secondary schools to enable the students prepare on time for their final examinations.

He hinted that adequate arrangements have been made to  decontaminate educational institutions as well as other safety measures that would guarantee the safety of students upon resumption of schools. 


Governor Emmanuel said “We are also setting up some cottage factories, we believe that the first set of products that we will be rolling out of those factories will be off taken by government and shared to schools. 


"As the schools re-open, we are setting up one of the best toilet roll factories using bamboo fiber which will address the hygienic needs of the students at the basic education level”, Emmanuel explained.


PRESS UNIT
GOVT HOUSE,
UYO
26/07/20

Uchasa:
Nonsense post..who cares

you care that's why you commented

athaboi:
They won use indomie finish people...nddc were busy giving themselves pallaitives worth billions

It's better than the one we have not seen from the FG

COVID-19: AKSG BEGINS DISTRIBUTION OF SECOND ROUND PALLIATIVES IN UYO

In its quest to cushion the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced the second round of the distribution of various food items worth millions of Naira to more than 3,000 villages in the state.

Flagging off the distribution of the palliatives to villages in Uyo Local Government Area, the state Commissioner for Information and Chairman, Uyo LGA Palliative Sharing Committee, Sir Charles Udoh, hinted that the gesture was in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel's commitment to continue to ameliorate the excruciating hardship faced by the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable citizens in villages across the state.

Sir. Udoh who performed the official handing over of the 5,696 items donated by the Akwa Ibom State Government to the 76 villages of Uyo LGA through their village heads and other representatives today at the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council Hall, said that the items would further be shared through the village heads on village-by-village basis.

This, he said would ensure that the items trickled down to the targeted beneficiaries as identified by the various community leaders.

The Information Commissioner emphasized that the food items, which included Garri, Rice and Flour are all locally sourced within the state.

He added that the Governor's foresight in setting up the Kings Flour Mill, the Ibom Agricon Rice Mill and the Garri Processing Factories in different parts of the state has become a major source of self reliance in stable food production.

Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Paramount ruler of Uyo, HRM Edidem Silvanus Okon, expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for the kind gesture and described it as a show of love and magnanimity to the people of Akwa Ibom State, especially to the Uyo people who had on several occasions demonstrated their unalloyed loyalty and support to his administration.

Similarly, Women and Youth leaders were also full of thanks to the governor and his dear wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel for the timely provision of the palliative items and for also remembering them even in the face of a global health and economic challenges. They also pledged their continued support for Governor Emmanuel, in order for him to achieve more developmental feats in Uyo LGA and across the state in general.

Other food items distributed to the villages included bags of salt, cartons of noodles, cartons of pastas, gallons of palm oil, Sugar, among many other items.

The palliative distribution concurrently took place in all the LGAs of the state through the Palliative Sharing Committees that were previously set up to handle the first round of distribution.

©️Lawrence Ekong

AKWA IBOM TARGETS IMPROVED IGR FROM NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL[b][/b]


Akwa Ibom government has said its investments in the construction of an ultramodern permanent terminal building project at the Victor Attah International Airport would boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh, stated this during a tour of the project in Uyo, with members of the state government information management team, yesterday.

Udoh said with the components of the terminal building and indeed facilities put in place at the entire airport complex, Akwa Ibom State will not only benefit from increased Internally Generated Revenue, with the huge volume of income that will accrue from the different business transactions within the complex, but also from the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling ( MRO) operations as well as from cargo handling. Udoh said the permanent terminal building was designed by experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and Turkey to give end users a touch or feel of what is tenable in airports in developed climes like the airport in Dubai, UEA.

He said the new facility would have both the international and domestic wings with provision made for surveillance by the Custom, Immigration, Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other security operatives.

“With a special roofing sheet capable of lasting up to 200 years without any colour change, the world class building which is nearing completion, with work now at the second floor of the three-storey building has a pressure sensitive escalator, automated entry pass, such as finger print digital pass and computerised card pass.”

NIGER DELTA YOUTHS MAKE U-TURN, DARE AKPABIO WITH PROTEST NOTICE
...we want list of lawmakers who plundered NDDC now

The Niger Delta Youth Leaders Council (NDYLC), the apex socio political forum of youths in the nine states of the region, has served the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Sen. Godswill Akpabio with a notice to occupy the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry from Tuesday July 28, 2020.

The group has threatened to rock the Ministry with protests if the Minister does not publish "full details of the Lawmakers that got NDDC Contracts, the locations, the Contractors and contract sum released so far".

The NDYLC who joined the House of Representatives in giving Akpabio ultimatum despite endorsing him earlier stated that they have developed cold feet on their decision to pass a vote of confidence on the Minister.

In a letter dated 22nd July 2020 and signed by its National President Com. (Engr.) Japhet A. C Ogbueri, Deputy National President Engr. Emmanuel B. Oweifurubo, Acting National Secretary Com. James Atiang Captioned "Service of Notice to occupy Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on Tuesday 28th July 2020" the group stressed that "as intellectual crusading pressure-group, we have joined forces with the ultimatum from Hon Speaker for you to publish the details as demanded, failure to do so under the stipulated timeframe will warrant 500 of our members in Abuja to willfully occupy Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as a mark of protest".

The group further stressed "Hon Minister Sir, It is with amplified interest and inflated contention that we vociferously wish to call your attention to Point Of Order raised by the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu on the floor of the Green Chamber during plenary on Tuesday 21st July, 2020, from where the Speaker issued ultimatum for you to publish full details of Lawmakers that got NDDC contracts, the locations, the contractors and contract sum released so far. As a conscious pressure group, we are aware that you made the allegation against Lawmakers during public hearing on Monday 20th July, 2020, the video clip is still trending on social media and everybody knows that you were re-emphasizing the obvious in the theory.

The group statement further noted "recall that we have written series of letter to you (Hon. Minister) demanding for audit of NDDC fund and financial record, and as part of South-South PSC structure we visited you in your office earlier this year, where you spoke passionately of revamping and sanitizing the intervention Agency for the betterment of the region. We still believe you despite controversies which are yet to be substantiated; we even passed Vote of Absolute Confidence on you in the Minister’s Conference Room because we repose enough confidence in your ability and capacity.

PROJECTS TOUR PUTS GOVT CONSISTENTLY IN THE LIMELIGHT
- AKS INFO BOSS

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh has said, the ongoing on-the -spot assessment tour of projects embarked upon by the Government Information Management Team, is to put the Government consistently in the limelight.

Sir Udoh stated this, Tuesday while reacting to the gains of the recently introduced weekly tour of projects undertaken by Governor Emmanuel within the past 5 years of his administration.

The State Information helmsman said, in addition to getting feedback to Government from indigenes and residents in the state, the tour also helps to put the Government permanently in the limelight.

"The on-the-spot assessment tour, takes me and the entire members of the government Information Management Team to where the people live, play and eat to interact with them and speak to the people in the language that resonates with their emotions, therefore allowing them bare their minds openly on the different projects provided to them by government."

The State Spokesman said, "the tour has copiously created awareness on Projects people hitherto felt were only on pages of paper, as the visits are usually beamed live on the media, electronic and online for the world to see, especially as team members interact with the locals at each project location," he added.

Reiterating that, the tour has heightened publicity and awareness on the life touching projects and achievements of Governor Emmanuel since assumption of office, Sir Udoh said, within the past 5 years, Governor Udom Emmanuel has recorded massive landmarks in all sectors of the economy such as Aviation, Industrialization, Entrepreneurial development, Agriculture, Healthcare, Security, Education, Tourism, Human Capital Development and Sports, among others.

On the ongoing international terminal building under construction at the Victor Attah International Airport, the Information Boss explained that the legacy facility will place Akwa Ibom on the global map with the traffic it will attract because of the Cargo handling at the terminal building and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, MRO, component of the Airport.

He emphasized that, as a People-oriented leader, who is committed to the development of the development of the people, all the projects undertaken by the governor are geared at generating job opportunities for the teeming youths of the State, both direct and indirect employments, create wealth and alleviate poverty amongst the people.

The State Government Information Management, comprises of all the Media Aides of the Governor and Directors of the Ministry of Information.

#CompletionAgenda
#UdomisWorking

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL'S INGENUITY IN LEADERSHIP

Within the past five years in saddle, Governor Udom Emmanuel has succeeded in placing Akwa Ibom on the world map, attracting laurels and global commendations in all sectors as well as making the state a reference point in all sectors of the economy, because of his sterling Leadership style and strategic approach to Governance.

His proclivity as a peace ambassador, bridge builder, champion and front liner for the unity and greatness of the state is enshrined as word on marble in his political and economic inclusion pillar and his well thought out DAKADDA philosophy for the state.

Additionally, Governor Udom Emmanuel towers tall as a leader with ardent passion for Accountability, Transparency and Prudence, which account for the huge volume of Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, attracted to the State under his stewardship and the continuous publication of the Final Audited Accounts of Akwa Ibom State Government on pages of tabloids.

It is a truism that, the mark of leadership is the inclination to stick to innovative and audacious course of actions and as Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs puts it in a more succinct term, “innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”. One of the outstanding features of a good leader therefore, is the capacity to reason freestanding of conventional wisdom.

The above analysis of know-how in leadership, best defines the governance style of Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who in the past fast five years as Governor of Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated a leadership style that has attracted enthusiastic connectivity and economic simulation among his people.

Since his ascendancy to the seat of governance of Akwa Ibom State on May 29, 2015, Governor Udom Emmanuel has manifested a clear insight and understanding of the kernel of leadership through policies and programmes that have positively impacted on every section and sector of the state.

A lot has been said and written about the imprints of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the economic sector as well as the great strides of his administration in infrastructural revitalization and its industrial agenda which have marked out Akwa Ibom as a fast growing state. Nonetheless, one area that social commentators and political analysts seem too often to overlook is the unity project of the state, which Governor Udom Emmanuel has strategically galvanized as a bridge builder.

In words and actions, and in every occasion and situation, the Governor has emphasized the cords that bind the state together, distancing himself and his administration from the agents of destabilization, discordance and acrimony, who rather seek to exaggerate the negligible diversities to undermine homogeneousness of the state.

This underlying philosophy of Governor Udom Emmanuel in running the affairs of the state is exemplified in the equitable distribution of human capital development and his infrastructural expansion drive to every segment of the state without biases and bigotries.

For instance, the Governor has come out clean in ensuring that, all the 3 Senatorial Districts of the state has at least a state-of-the-art medical facility to be reached within a driving span of one hour, while all the 10 Federal Constituencies are to be provided with state-of-the-art Sports Centres towards the development of budding athletes and Footballers. From Uyo to Ikot Ekpene and to Eket Senatorial district, at least one Mega infrastructural facility is erected to boost industrialization and create opportunities for job creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation amongst the people of the state.

All these culminated in the huge support base of the Governor across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, devoid of ethnic sentiments. The strength and reach of his support came to fore convincingly during the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state, in which Governor Emmanuel easily won landslide votes in all the 2,980 units of the 329 wards of the state.

For Governor Udom Emmanuel, the unity, harmonious coexistence and holistic development of the state are topmost agenda that must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal ego and self-aggrandizement.

...Being part of a special series on Governor Emmanuel on his 54th birthday, presented by the State Information management team.

#GovUdomAt54!!!
#UdomisWorking!!!
#CompletionAgenda!!!

NEW INT'L AIRPORT TERMINAL, TO BOOST AKWA IBOM'S IGR - Charles Udoh


The ongoing ultramodern International Terminal Building at the Victor Attah International Airport is not only a money spinner but a legacy project beaming Akwa Ibom State to the global community.

The Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, who is currently undertaking on-the-spot tour of government projects, stated this in Uyo, while reacting to the economic benefits of the new Terminal Building, after an inspection tour of the project by the State Government Information Management Team.

Sir Charles Udoh said with the components of the terminal building put in place at the entire complex, Akwa Ibom State will not only benefit from increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, with the huge volume of income that will accrue from the different business transactions within the complex, but also from the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling, MRO, operations as well as from Cargo handling.

Emphasizing that, the Victor Attah International Airport towers high above other Airports in Nigeria due to its enviable location and proximity to West African Countries, the Information Boss said, facilities put in place are of International standard, including a digital self check-in by a Robot, which is COVID-19 compliance as well as handy shopping malls, restaurants and banking booths.

Sir Udoh said, there is also a health bay designed to serve as an Isolation centre in event of any suspected case of COVID-19 or any other related infections among travelers, disclosing that, the Permanent Terminal Building was designed by experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and Turkey to give end users a touch or feel of what is tenable in airports in developed climes in America, Europe and Asia.

The State's Spokesman said, with a special roofing sheet capable of lasting up to 200 years without any colour change, the world class building which is nearing completion, with work now at the second floor of the 3-storey building has a pressure sensitive escalator, automated entry pass, such as finger print digital pass and computerized card pass.

He stated that, in order to ensure ease of movement, the building is fitted with 4 escalators, 7 lifts and staircases while strict safety apparatuses have been put in place with Four different fire prevention facilities including: fire extinguishers, fire water sprinkler system, fire detectors, heat, smoke and temperature detectors as well as FM200, an automated fire fighting powder system.

Reiterating that, the complex will have both the International and Domestic Wing, the State Information helmsman, said, all sections, departures, arrivals and Cargo have been linked to the security units for any eventually adding effective security network has been put in place which strict surveillance by the Custom, Immigration, Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other security operatives.

The new terminal will have finger print digital pass or card pass, whether one is a passenger or staff. There would be Staff living quarters, locker rooms among others.

He said the Security architecture is very high, with Four methods of fire prevention - fire extinguishers, fire water sprinkler system, fire detectors (heat, smoke and temperature detectors), FM200 that is automated powder system.

Describing the Permanent Terminal Building as the first of its kind in the West African Sub region, Sir Charles Udoh said, the project is one of the landmark achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel geared at attracting traffic to Akwa Ibom State, as the preferred destination of investors and tourists in Nigeria.

The tour by the State Government Information Management Team, led by the Commissioner of Information, Sir Charles Udoh, continues as part of measures towards heightening publicity and awareness on Projects and programmes of Governor Udom Emmanuel within his 5 years administration.

#UdomisWorking!!!
#AkwaIbomisBetter
#CompletionAgenda
#Dakkada

AS GOVERNOR EMMANUEL INTENSIFIES CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORT INT’L BUILDING

This is the International terminal building of the Victor Attah Airport currently under construction by Governor Udom Emmanuel in Akwa Ibom state. I visited this project some days ago but decided to keep the pictures for today. This is how I want to celebrate Governor Udom Emmanuel on his 54th birthday - to use this massive project as a point of contact to all he has done in Akwa Ibom State and what he's yet to do.

VKS construction company is currently at the second floor level of construction of the facility.
The Project Consultant is from Akwa Ibom State. Engineer Francis Uwa spoke in Engineering language � but I took something back home and I'd share them with you. He said of all the airports we have in Nigeria, that of Akwa Ibom State will be unique because its proximity to West African Countries.
He said Akwa Ibomites and those who'd use this facility would have a feel or even a better feeling of what they have at the airport in Dubai.

He said that even before the outbreak of covid-19, the airport was designed to have a digital self check-in by a robot and counter check-in. He said there would be a facility at the airport that would serve as an isolation center.

Engr Uwa said the facility was designed by experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and Turkey.
He said the roof is a special roof that can last up to 200 years without changing colour.

He said escalators will be pressure sensitive and won't move except it detects that someone steps on it. Departure area will have outlets of an International Airport. Baggage handlers will be available to check bag contents through automated system. They'd be Offices for custom, immigration, drug law enforcement etc. They'd be finger print digital pass or card pass, whether you're already passenger or staff. They'd be Staff living quarters, locker rooms etc.

He said the Security architecture is very high. The facility will have Four methods of fire prevention - fire extinguishers, fire water sprinkler system, fire detectors (heat, smoke and temperature detectors), FM200 ie automated powder system.

The runway can hold up to 40 aircrafts but when the cargo airport begins, there will be expansion to hold more aircrafts.

Governor Udom Emmanuel was visionary when he built industries and the 21 Storey smart building because massive investments and businesses will come into Akwa Ibom State as a result of traffic.

Find attached pictures of the 3D Architectural Design and current state of the facility. Work at the site is aggressive, despite the rainy season. It must be that they want to meet the deadline.

Happy Birthday Governor Udom Emmanuel. Thank you for all you've done for us. Just as the Chairman of Obot Akara said today in his birthday message to you "You have brought the development you've seen in developed countries back to us and soon, your vision of making Akwa Ibom State the central point of investments and development in Africa will be actualised".

I recall too, that Governor Emmanuel during the last media chat said "because of the effect of Covid-19 on the economy of the world, we are getting to a time that blacks will return from America and other places to Africa. I want Akwa Ibom to be that home for them when they return".

There's no better way to be celebrated than with the things one has done. Happy Birthday Governor Udom Emmanuel. Thank you for all you've done for us as a people and for all you still plan to do.

(C) Kpebo Thomas, 2020

COMPARING GOVERNOR EMMANUEL WITH SENATOR AKPABIO A MISPLACED PRIORITY

BY IKPONG ESSIEN UDOM

Five years ago yesterday, Akwa Ibom people, residents, friends and guests, who thronged the 26000 capacity Akwa Ibom International Stadium to witness the formal assumption of office by HE Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as governor of Akwa-Abasi Ibom State, had a glimpse of what his years would look like. Though the event commenced behind schedule, caused by his promise keeper-cum-great-teacher predecessor, HE Godswill Akpabio, who had promised to commission projects till his last hour in office and was commissioning new buses acquired for the stadium, the people waited patiently.

And upon being crowned, the new governor, did not disappoint. Giving a spell-arresting acceptance speech which he titled "Sustaining Superior Performance," Governor Emmanuel drew a long and sustained applause when he announced a change in the name of the venue to Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. From then on, it was achievements and commissioning at every turn. Right from his first 100 days in office, the Governor kept the momentum.

Among projects completed and commissioned within that short period were the reactivated Peacock Paints in Etinan, Water Reticulation and Head Works in Ifa Atai and Idu Uruan, some renovated and modernized wards in St Luke's Hospital, Anua and many more. The period also witnessed the introduction and launch of Dakkada - a new philosophy for the re-engineering of Akwa Ibom and her people.

No sector was left untouched as a sign of his appreciation to the people for the mandate. Women, the elders, children and the vulnerable, were not left out as his wife, Martha Akwa Ibom, initiated what is now a trail blazing NGO - Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Project, FEYReP as a platform for their emancipation. Today, five years on, would it be rightly and confidently asserted that Mr Emmanuel and his administration have sustained a superior performance? Of course he has. And I am convinced of my stance. His adminstration is anchored on a five point agenda: Job creation, Poverty Alleviation, Wealth creation, Economic and Political inclusion and, Infrastructural consolidation.

Viewed from whichever angle, any discerning mind would acknowledge the fact the super-banker turned politician has not disappointed. Uyo - the State capital that could not compare with Ikot Ekpene in recent past, Oron, Eket, Abak, other neglected areas like Oruk Anam and Ini/Ikono, Uruan, Itu etc have benefitted. Many dual carriage highways and numerous bridges have been done.

There are various projects that will eventually change the status of Akwa Ibom from a civil service economy which the State was known as at when he took over, to a self sustaining and economically viable entity. What of the garri, rice, tomatoes, flour and fertilizer production going on in the State? What of meter, syringe, plastic and other industries which have been established and are operating, serving the entire country? What of the coconut refinery that is nearing completion? Must I mention the ever multi billion naira gulping Ibom Deep Sea Port project which implementation is on course for the the first time?

Even projects that were never promised have been executed. Ibom Air, the pride of Akwa Ibom and Africa's first state-owned airline is operating successfully with the fleet increasing. The 21st storey office complex has been initiated and completed by Mr Emmanuel as the tallest building in this part of the world. A flyover is ongoing as another signature project that was never promised. And then, the most modern Infectious Disease Hospital and Isolation Centre initiated, executed, completed and commissioned in response to the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the world is standing as the eighth wonder of the country.

Certainly, Governor Emmanuel has kept his pledge of sustaining the superior performance attributed to his godfather and now Minister of Niger Delta, Chief Godswill Akpabio. Right from his third year in office, His Excellency's friends from Akwa Ibom, but in other political parties, have been attempting to compare the Emmanuel years with the Akpabio years. Each time I am confronted by such write-ups, I always wonder the angle the writers were coming from and their frame of mind when writing. Sometimes I tend to conclude that those pieces were products of misplaced hatred. Otherwise, why would someone compare three, four and now five years with eight years, not to talk of the volume of naira available to each?

My advice to all of us is that we should cooperate with the administration, criticize constructively where necessary, and wait till June 2023 when the governor on seat would have completed his eight years. It will only be then that we could compare and ascertain conclusively, between His Excellency Ex Governor Godswill Akpabio and His Excellency, former Governor Udom Emmanuel: who served us better and whose tenure actually benefitted the State more. Congratulations Your Excellency and Happy fifth year in office.

_Ikpong Essien Udom is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors_

Please which state are you from

phantom24 pls:
Another avenue to loot, What is INTERNATIONAL about this so call isolation centre? How about d 25th anniversary hospital they had used for deceiving outsiders with d claim that akwa ibom was fully prepared for d covid19 b4 it allegedly arrived?

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL COMMISSIONS INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION CENTER, PROMISES MORE

To mark the first anniversary of his second term in office, Governor Udom Emmanuel has commissioned a 300 bed international infectious disease treatment center in Akwa Ibom State, executed and completed within 30 days.

The center located within the Methodist General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, Uruan Local Government Area, comes with a Category 3 Virology and Clinical Lab capable of doing a wide range of blood fat and other tests for those who have core morbidities and polymerase chain reactions with PCR machines for testing COVID 19 and HIV as well as 20 self-contained rooms for health personnel and other workers.

Performing the inauguration, Governor Emmanuel announced that 25 more containers of medical equipment acquired by his administration have arrived and would soon be deployed to health facilities in the state.

He lamented that despite providing over 25 percent of the country’s revenue, the federal government failed to set up any health laboratory or treatment center in the state, adding that he decided to set up a PCR laboratory to handle covid 19 and other infectious diseases.

“We have acquired 25 additional containers of equipment to set up 2020 standard Intensive Care Units in health facilities across all senatorial districts.

"We have cleared all those equipment and they are at our warehouse. All general hospitals will be equipped to 2020 standard.

"The idea is that anywhere you are in Akwa Ibom State, you should be able to face access to 2020 medicare.

He also announced that his administration has acquired more ambulances, “and would acquire many more to be placed at strategic locations to transport people to any general hospital so that we can be well assured of effective health care delivery.

He said the situation room set up to tackle COVID 19 will outlive the pandemic and will still be available for medical emergencies.

“Once you call any of our numbers, the ambulance should be able to take you to the nearest hospital or transport you from one facility to the other.”

He thanked the Methodist church for allowing the Government take over the management of the facility and thanked all those whose contributions have ensured the rapid transformation recorded in two years.

“Two years ago when I came here for renovation, I said that it will come to a time when 15 minutes and even one hour will be too much to travel out of this country for health care."

He said presently, no senior citizen is able to travel outside for medical care and it would have been saddening if Akwa Ibom had not been ready for a time like this.

“There is no place like home and if you cannot develop your home, you will always have yourself to blame.”

He recounted that the World Health Organization officials who visited described the center as a miracle and assured that it would help the state in the battle to eradicate the pandemic.

He explained that based on the contact tracing projections in the state, he had anticipate the number of infected persons, and warned that everyone should adhere to the management guidelines of COVID19.

He thanked local government chairmen, royal fathers and health workers for their efforts in sensitization and assured that the pandemic would soon come to an end.

To accomplish his vision of a hospital in each federal constituency, the Governor explained that the remodeled Immanuel General Hospital in Eket would soon be commissioned, adding that work at the Abak and Ikot Ekpene General Hospitals have reached advanced stages while the contract has just been awarded for the General Hospital in Ikot Abasi.

He maintained that he has been able to roof Ibom Specialist Hospital provide modern medical equipment there, and is currently working equipping the second floor adding that, “all we have done and are doing is in the interest of the people and I know that once I'm out of office, Akwa Ibom people will stand by those facilities to make sure they are protected and they stand functional for a very long time.”

Speaking at the occasion, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong maintained that despite being world class facility, it was not the wish of Government to see it filled to capacity, and advised everyone to continue to observe social distancing, personal hygiene, wearing of face mask, staying at home except when absolutely necessary to go out.

Dr Ukpong who is thhe state Incident Manager said, “our Governor has shown resilience, competence, passion, involvement, financial and spiritual support.

He said the “first isolation center was built by this administration during the Lassa Fever outbreak, and the second was installed at the Ibom specialist Hospital and this facility is the third that has been established to expanded capacity.”

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association,NMA, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Dr. Nsikak Nyoyoko said the center will also serve as a center for research and training in laboratory virology.

“This isolation centre is not just for treating infectious patients, but people will travel to Akwa Ibom State to carry out Virology Researches and trainings that will make our people to become world renowned. We are lucky as a people"

Dr. Nyoyoko described the project as a visionary project by a visionary leader and said the project is what health personnel had always yearned for.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Aniekan Bassey said the Governor has kept his promise of making the health of Akwa Ibomites a priority.
He said the facility which is in his locality shall be of immense benefit in tackling health care needs beyond COVID 19 era.

Mr Bassey also announced that following assessments of the achievements recorded by the Governor in the state, the House of Assembly earlier in the day passed a vote of confidence on the Governor and pledged their continuous support to the administration.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel is a leader that is working with the fear of God. With wisdom, he has taken us this far and we know that we will overcome this pandemic.
“It is his leadership style that made us do something that has not been done in AKHA for a long time, we passed a vote of confidence on the Governor”, the Speaker maintained.

On his part, the Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, Mr. Henry Udofia thanked the Governor for bringing development projects to Uruan, adding that under his leadership, “we have been given a world class hospital in Uruan.”

Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem lauded Governor Emmanuel for the vision and capacity, saying that all the facilities could not have been acquired during the international restrictions but for the foresight of the governor who had already acquired them.

The Governor was later led round the facility by the Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen whose Ministry supervised the construction of the project.

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL INSPECTS NEW AMBULANCES

Ahead of the commissioning of the International Infectious Disease Hospital and Isolation Center in Ituk Mbang, Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday inspected three State of Arts ambulances recently purchased by his administration and four others, recently donated by some corporate bodies, and directed that they should be deployed to health institutions across Akwa Ibom state.

The three ambulances purchased by the state government, have intensive care facilities and the governor said his vision is to acquire more of such facilities for the entire state.

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL'S BOLD STEPS TOWARDS FOOD SUFFICIENCY

Essien Ndueso

Agricultural development under Governor Udom Emmanuel has catapulted Akwa Ibom state into a bastion of food sufficiency. A man with rare foresight and unprecedented creativity, Governor Emmanuel, on assumption of office caused a cherished revolution in the agricultural sector.

His drive towards Food Sufficiency necessitated the opening up of the hinterlands with high quality roads networks, creating access to the rich agricultural prospects across the State. This redeeming wind blew across Ini, Obot Akara, Uruan, Oron, Oruk Anam and others. Such critical opening up preceded and gave rise to the flourish and boom in agricultural activities in those areas.

The Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, the Foreign Direct Investment Committee comprising indigenous egg heads have worked hand in gloves with the State Ministry of Agriculture and Women Affairs to coordinate the Agricultural renaissance and diversify the state's economy. Their efforts in line with the Terms of Reference spelt out by the Governor helped facilitate the acquisition of new improved seedlings of cocoa, maize and rice as well as fast tracked improved plantain and cassava productions.

Cocoa production received a special attention through the training of farmers on modern skills to embark on a cocoa maintenance scheme and only recently distributed Agro Chemicals –NAPSAC Sprayers to all cocoa farmers . This initiative ripened the successes and prosperity in cocoa production. The state has suddenly become the largest cocoa producing state in Nigeria.

There is also the revolution in the growth of vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes, with the establishment of large green houses in the state. This means that in season and out of season, the farms do not blink.

Mr Emmanuel has equally upped the ante of storage and processing of agricultural products to add value to the efforts of rural farmers. There are various cassava processing mills in the State; a grinding that is directly responsible for the crashing of the price of garri, and further attestation to the food sufficiency praxis of the State.

Farmers are fed improved inputs from the State Government ranging from improved cassava stems, rice seedlings and fertilizers, to encourage farmers to cultivate all year round and ensure abundant food in the state. Another staple food in Akwa Ibom State is Rice, and indeed there also has been a high rising profile in rice production. With rice mills strategically located in the State as the Ibom Agricon Rice at Ini Local Government Area, and yet another one, Sacam Rice Mill at Ikono, and the Ibom Golden Rice in Ibiono, there is an abundance of the commodity for the people.

The state government is embarking on distribution of improve seedlings to farmers and provision of mechanized farm implements to assist in the enhanced rice cultivation. The Commissioner for Ariculture and Women Affairs, Dr. Glory Edet, explained that the rice is cultivated both upland and swampy areas. The 11,000 hectares coconut plantation has received a boost with adequate attention to quality fertiliser while another span of land in Okobo has been reserved for more coconut plants to feed the Coconut Oil Factory being executed in the state.

The wind of industrialization has also blown refreshingly across agriculture. This is evident in the fertilizer blending plant to blend fertilizer to meet the needs of the local farmers. The fertilizer blending plant does not walk alone on the lane of industrialization brightened by agriculture. The five hundred metric tonnes capacity King's Flour Mill is conspicuous as a cynosure of agricultural strides.

Beyond crop farming, the livestock market is also in the radar. Recently, the governor completed the central abattoir project in Itam, standing it out as the very best in this part of the country.

The Governor’s drive to make Akwa Ibom the poultry nerve center of the entire South South and South East regions, informed the completion of an ultra-modern world class hatchery for day old chicks at Mbiaya Uruan. This hatchery has a poultry farm for parents stock and also modern facilities for off-taking and processing the matured birds from farmers.

The vision of the Governor in stimulating the local economy and encouraging small and medium scale enterprises, prompted him to commence a 3bn naira revolving loan facility which means that traders, small businesses’ owners and are exposed to an interest free loan ranging from 100,000 to 5million naira. This is in addition to the interest free loan to N 2000 cassava and corn farmers.

Tens of thousands of traders can comfortably link the boost in their businesses to these visionary steps. The Governor has embarked on changing the story of market places in the State, with new markets replacing old dilapidated structures and capping it all with the ultra modern market in Eket.

The governor believes that the power sector is germane to the success of agricultural transformation in the State. Thus the revolution in the power sector, including the establishment of several power substations across the State has significantly reduced overhead cost in the production process of the food processing and other allied industries.

Governor Udom Emmanuel's vision in the agricultural sector has passed a critical litmus test. During the most turbulent time of the Coronavirus that ravaged the world, with Nigeria having a taste of the chunk, Akwa Ibom State flew on the wings of agricultural planning. When there were no interstate movements, or the difficulty of, the food sufficiency vision of the State came to roost. The flour mill and rice mills in the State became like Joseph's food pyramids in Egypt that saved the people.

Akwa Ibom State is a flagship in agriculture whether in cultivation of the soil for man's use, tending of livestock, storage and processing of agricultural products or in their distribution and marketing. Governor Emmanuel is leading green revolution through well thought out fertilized agricultural policies and programmes.

He believes that for Akwa Ibom State to achieve food sufficiency, there must be more tractors in the farms than luxury SUVs in the streets. This is the secret of the bumper harvest in the agricultural sector that is witnessed in the State presently.

It is all-together, a leadership of fertile innovation and creativity in agriculture, where Governor Udom Emmanuel remains the farmer-in-chief. It is a flourishing experience in the State, in and out of season.

All is now set for the arrival of the fourth aircraft in the fleet of Ibom Air.

A key benefit of Ibom Air’s very modern fleet of Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft is that they all come fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.


The new aircraft is expected to touch down on the Victor Attah International Airport on Tuesday on May 19, 2020.

Ibom Air took delivery of the airline’s fourth Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft in Lagos on arrival from Calgary, Canada at about 10:48 pm on Tuesday May 5, 2020.

The airline in a statement had said, "We are very pleased to receive the first of our two recently purchased Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft, in line with our fleet expansion strategy.

"With this addition, our fleet grows to four aircraft. This particular aircraft, with registration number 5N-BXP, made its maiden commercial flight in May 2014 .

"Thus, Ibom Air continues to operate the lowest average fleet age amongst Nigeria’s airlines.

"This fleet strategy is in line with our vision to be a world-class African regional airline.


"We thank the Hon. Minister of Aviation, the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the NCAA, NAMA, FAAN and the Akwa Ibom State Government, for making it possible for us to ferry in this aircraft during this period.

"Keeping it in Canada waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to pass, would incur huge and unnecessary hard currency costs for us," the statement concluded.

GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL AND THE FUTURE BEYOND CRUDE OIL



Wednesday May 24, 2017 will forever linger in the memory of Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians. It was the day that Governor Udom Emmanuel flagged off the construction of St. Gabriel Coconut Oil Factory at Ikot Akpan Okop, Minya in Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom state. That day again marked a turning point in the economic fortunes of Akwa Ibom as the state was registered again on the global map of the global economy. The realities on ground are testimonials to that legendary initiative by a visionary leader whom God had ordained for a time like this.

With the novel coronavirus ravaging the economy of the world in proportion not envisaged in human history, the price of crude oil has drastically dropped, thereby sending colds of confusion and fear upon countries that were totally dependent on crude oil for survival, Nigeria inclusive. About 90 per cent of Nigeria's revenue from foreign exchange is from crude oil, and allocations sent to states from the Federal Government are from proceeds of crude oil. And now that things are not as expected at the oil market, what hope lies for such country?

Today, some countries of the world, like India, Indonesia, The Philippines and Brazil are not talking about crude oil again, as Coconut Oil has become a better alternative to crude oil in terms of revenue generation.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports, several countries' economies are sustained by Coconut Oil production. The Statista Report shows that in 2015/2016, the global export volume of coconut oil amounted to 3.32 million metric tons, while in 2017/2018, the global production volume of coconut oil was forecasted to amount to about 3.44 million metric tons. This figure shows that the production in line with the demand for coconut oil has grown steadily over the years, because of its widespread economic and health benefits.

Supporting the fact above, Encyclopaedia Brittanica notes that coconut has important role in international trade and highly demanded all over the world as an ingredient in cosmetics, soaps, hair oils, body oils and food products.

Coconut is equally a perennial source for raw materials to a number of other industries like oil milling, coir and coir based industries with great potential for shell charcoal, shell powder and coconut milk powder. Little wonder coconut (Cocos nucifera) is highly revered in Asia as " Tree of Life" or as the fruit of the gods.

But someone saw today since yesterday and initiated a life-sustaining project that will save our economy, our nation and our future at a time like this. Someone who saw today since yesterday, and started a project that will secure the future of Akwa Ibom beyond crude oil. Governor Emmanuel got a revelation of the future without crude oil and initiated the much talked-about coconut oil refinery, and it will remain a life support project for the sustenance of the nation's economy.

Researchers and economists had before now been advocating for the diversification of Nigeria's economy, but no one heeded to that call. Many had predicted that the crude oil will finish one day, hence the need to look beyond crude oil, but those predictions fell on deaf ears. While others will now start thinking of what to do, Akwa Ibom will be leading in massive production of coconut oil. Thanks to a visionary Governor who has secured a future for Akwa Ibom, beyond crude oil.

With the project at 80 per cent completion, Nigeria through Akwa Ibom will soon join the league of other countries to export coconut oil. This project which has been described as the biggest in Africa will undoubtedly process 300,000 coconuts per day, expandable to a million, with not less than 5000 people on its payroll. This is in addition to other business avenues it has already opened to coconut farmers and others in the value chain. Entrepreneurs will emerge in their thousands, as there are hundreds of goods that can be produced from coconut. These entrepreneurs will also employ thousands of workers in their companies, thereby re-enforcing Akwa Ibom's new status as an industrial hub, a recommendable shift from what it was known to be: A civil service state.

By the time the coconut oil refinery will begin operation later this year, Akwa Ibom will be flying on the wings of harsh economy predicted by the International Monetary Fund(IMF), and will also bail the country out of the prison of hunger and stagnation in years to come. This is the future of our country, a future beyond crude oil, in the eyes of Governor Udom Emmanuel.


Richard Peters writes from Uyo