Oruk Anam Council Records Unprecedented Face-lift

 

... about 15 roads graded

Enwono-Abasi Elisha

Within the past three months, Oruk Anam Local Government Area has experienced an unprecedented face-lift, while peace and unity have been promoted in the area.

Chairman of Oruk Anam LocalGovernment Area, Rt Hon. (Elder) Sunday Festus Akpan, who spoke with members of the Conference of Online Publishers Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) in his office, on Thursday, explained his commitment to align with the A.R.I.S.E agenda philosophy of the Governor, Pastor Umo.

With his Future ASSURED Agenda, Festus said the focus of his administration is the major aspects of governance captured by the A.R.I.S.E agenda, which include Agriculture, Security, Unity, and Rural Development.

"Within our capacity, we have done our best within three months. We try to align our programmes within the A.R.I.S.E agenda of the Governor. We want to leave positive legacies."

As a former Leader of the Council, Hon. Akpan said his vision is to leave the Council and the entire Local Government better than he met it.

Within the Council premises, the Chairman took the delegation around, showing the upgrade of the perimeter fencing, which was left untouched for about 25 years. Also, construction work at the main entrance of the Council is ongoing for a better passage.

The group also visited the site of the five hectares of land where the ASSURED farm is situated. The farm has 13 casual staff employed by the Council, and cucumber, pumpkin, and cassava are cultivated on it. 

There is also a two-bedroom ASSURED legacy home built to support the vulnerable in the community. The team also witnessed a water project at Ikot Obio Aduak, Oruk Anam Local Government Area. 

Leading COOPA's delegation, the Chancellor said the COOPA Citizens Tour aims to be abreast with the achievements of the Local Government leaders as they are the closest to the people. 

He added that the community-based tour is never to witch-hunt anyone but to promote development at that tier of government.

#COOPACitizensTour

Akpaden Road Construction responsible for 7-year blackout in Eastern Obolo - LG Chairman

Priscilla Akpanettot 

The Executive Chairman, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area has lamented the total blackout in the area, occasioned by the construction of the Akwa Ibom State University passage way in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin.

Rt. Hon Samuel Nteogwuijah made this known to the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA), during the tour organized by the organization to assess the activities and challenges of Local Government Areas in the State.

Though thankful to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for intervening in the road project and some Oil Companies for the solar intervention in some areas, the Chairman counted the inconveniences caused by the blackout both at the Council Secretariat, on mainland and the riverine areas.

One of the solar-powered borehole projects in Iko Town 

He prayed for the speedy completion of the road project which he explained was the only thing preventing the erection of electric poles to link the area to national grid.

Rt. Hon. Nteogwuijah who maintained that his core priority upon assumption of office was the unification of warring parties within and among communities in the Local Government Area, was glad to mention that peace had returned to such entities across traditional, socio-political, socio-cultural and socio-economic lines.

Furthermore, the Chairman had in 100 days embarked on the provision of basic infrastructure such as the construction of solar-powered borehole projects, a 3-bedroom bungalow to be used as compassionate home and latrines to combat the menace of open defecation.

72-office-spaced permanent site for the the Council Secretariat 

Among other achievements within 100 days of his administration are the payment of academic grants to over 100 indigenous students, with a second batch underway; as well as intensive preparations made to relocate the Council Secretariat to it's 72-office spaced permanent site which was abandoned since 1999.

Following the outbreak of cholera in Emeoroke, Rt. Hon. Nteogwuijah had also presented relief materials to affected families and facilitated their admission at the hospital. He expressed deep gratitude to the State Governor for wading swiftly into the issue by ordering the movement of the victims to Emmanuel Hospital for proper medical attention.

Earlier, the Chancellor, COOPA, Mr. Utitofon Morgan had appreciated the Chairman for receiving them. He stressed that the exercise was to enable the creation of an effective relationship with Councils that would manifest in positive development, and not to hunt anyone. 

Ongoing construction of a compassionate home for a widow

He also commended the Leader of the Council for the proactive steps taken to combat cholera and for other achievements in 100 days, while suggesting the construction of ramps at the Secretariat for the physically challenged.

The visiting team was led to some of the project sites at Iko Town, Okoro-Iti and Okoroete by the Council Secretary, Comrade Tamuno Timothy.

The visiting team with the Council Secretary Comrade,Tamuno Timothy