UCCDA will have Uyo LG's Support - Uwemedimo Udo

 

...proposes multisectoral committee on City remodeling

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Transition Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Hon. Uwemedimo Udo has assured Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) of it's full support to transform the city of Uyo.

He said this when he received the inspection team of the UCCDA in his office on Friday, January 19, 2024, on their way to inspect critical infrastructure within the City.

Led by the Executive Chairman of the Authority, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka, the team had gone to intimate him of their plans before commencing inspection.

They were received by the Transition Chairman who commended the new leadership for being upbeat and assured them of maximum support.

"The areas of interest mentioned are mutual on Uyo being a model and decent city. So, we are on the same page. The Local Government will collaborate to ensure that the lofty ideas are realized," he said. 

While giving the team a brief overview of the Local Government's lone efforts, he lamented the negligence of some infrastructure and called on the sister body to help in ensuring their maintenance.

"Park infrastructure especially has suffered negligence and poor maintenance. We decided to fix the place to make it attractive after interacting with Unions within the Park. We then met with Hensek to deflood some of the parks as our Corporate Social Responsibility", he said, while attributing the patronage of roadside parks to the menace.

"We don't support illegal parks. We've not created any. It's just in people's attitude to look for alternatives but with this collaboration, alot can be achieved", he maintained.

He also supported the demolition of buildings erected under high-tension wires and roadside shanties, while proposing the inaguration of a multisectoral committee on remodeling the Capital City.

"Those who violate building regulations will meet stiff penalties. We will support you on this. Street trading also distorts the master plan of the City, just like those who deface the City with billboards". 

Uwemedimo Udo however, cautioned the Capital City Boss to be firm, fair and operate with equality.

"Use one rule for everybody, no matter how highly placed. You have nothing to be scared of if you do the right thing", he said and again assured that the Local Government will do everything within it's power to help them succeed.

Responding, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka thanked the Transition Chairman for the warm reception and acceptance accorded them, saying that Udo had justified their reason for coming.

"Since assumption on 1st December, 2023 we've tried to make reforms to make the city better. We want to inspect assets and facilities owned by the government, audit them and take stock, to make them more useful and befitting of a Capital City. So we came for collaboration and partnership". 

He made known his intent to take down illegal structures within the City and the plan to upgrade the Motor Parks to a befitting standard, and promised to report their findings back to the Governor and Chairman for necessary action. 

Anietie Eka was accompanied by board members of the UCCDA on the inspection, including the Assistant Director of Administration, Mr. Anietie Akpan who restated that the new administration came with the agenda of rebranding the Capital City in line with the Arise Agenda; to recover Government property, generate revenue that will sustain the ARISE Agenda and create job opportunities.

UCCDA: Anietie Eka Embarks on Inspection Tour of Govt. Infrastructure

  

... promises effective use and management of facilities

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Chairman, Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka, has undertaken an inspection of government infrastructure within Uyo capital city.

The tour which took place on Friday, January 19, and Tuesday, January 23, 2024 had the Executive Chairman visit and inspect

At the commencement of the tour, Rt. Hon. Eka said the action was necessary to take account of government critical infrastructure and assets in order to decipher ways of improving them, maximizing them and making them yield appropriate dividend for the government.

Moreover, he stressed that the exercise was also to clear the city of dents and make it a model city, in line with the State Governor's vision of building a smart city in Akwa Ibom State. 

Rt. Hon. Eka being shown the plan of the Ediene Ikot Obio Imo Estate (Martha's Vineyard)

 

Martha's Vineyard in Ediene Ikot Obio Imo, the Chairman made known Government's interest to boost social amenities in the estates. He therefore advised those who were yet to start work on their alloted plots to do so, to forestall a revoke of their ownership.

“His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno has granted us this opportunity to move in and provide basic amenities in this estate. If you look around, you will see that heavy-duty equipment that has been moved-in, in the last one week. 

“Governor Umo Eno is very particular about providing housing schemes for a lot of Akwa Ibom people, as enshrined in ARISE Agenda. So, we commend him for what he had been doing, and we are here to assist in interpreting his dreams and ensuring that by the end of his first term, most of his visions must have been completed”. 

The Estate which already has a functional Police Station is expected to have other amenities such as electricity, road network, malls, water, etc.

A resident of the Estate, Mrs. Comfort Nkereuwem, who spoke with journalists, appreciated Governor Umo Eno for the ongoing construction of roads in the Estate. She however appealed that other amenities be provided soon to make the Estate more comfortable for living. 

Rt. Hon. Eka interacting with the market women

When he met with roadside traders at Plaza,  Nung Oku and Itam Market, Rt. Hon. Eka stressed the imminent demolition of shanties from February 1, 2024. He advised them to use the markets and avoid the roadside, saying that their action were detrimental and stripping the city of it's beauty.

He also met with illegal motor park operators at Nung Oku and Itam Flyover, stressing the imperatives of yielding to Government's directive. 

"My visit is part of my commitment to reposition the Capital City, having received the mandate to do so from  Governor Umo Eno". 

"Its important that you respect Government directives to avoid getting into trouble. All illegal motor parks will be demolished from 1st of February so, make use of the approved Parks", he restated.

In their separate responses, the illegal park operators agreed to comply with the directive to move into the approved Parks. They however called for proper management of the Parks to ensure that they are not shortchanged.

The roadside traders also sought Government's intervention in the provision of more stalls and shops to enable them carry out their businesses.

"We won't be here if we had a better place. We have no place to go. Government should help us provide more shops because we're paying levies", one of the traders, Mrs. Uduak Jerome said.

The inspection team also visited Akpasima Estate, Afaha Offot mini Estate and John Ebiye (100 Units) Estate. They inspected the Capital City's Cemetries at Mbiokporo and Use Offot, as well as the Government approved Motor Parks at Mbiabong, Itam, Ikot Ekpe and Ikot Oku Ikono.

On "Not Greeing for anybody"

 If you're among those who've been indoctrinated by the 2024 official social media motto: "no gree for anybody"; I have a message for you.

You see, it's okay to choose ruggedity over gentility as a proof that you're not a weakling. But it's also necessary to understand that there are situations you "must gree", so you can move on.

Infact, they're situations you shouldn't think twice about "greeing" even when your rights and entitlements are involved. 

Your mental health isn't worth the stresses of "not greeing" and so is your precious life.

Not "greeing for anybody" has led many to their early graves and resulted in cascading outcomes which would have been averted if the affected persons "gree-d".

So rather than fight a lost battle or die a careless death and leave behind the vulnerable, please "gree for anybody". Then calm down and allow God fight your battle!

UCCDA Partners NURTW on Park Maintenance, Mgmt

...plans demolition of illegal parks, Feb 1

Priscilla Akpanettot

Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) is making plans with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on proper management and maintenance of approved motor parks in the State capital.

Chairman of the Authority, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka said this in a meeting with members of NURTW in his office on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Lamenting the proliferation of illegal parks within Uyo Capital City, Rt. Hon. Eka said that operators of such parks were constituting a nuisance to the society and grounding Government's efforts at keeping the capital city clean. 

"One way to sanitize Uyo Capital City is to get rid of such vices. We want to maintain our legacy of cleanliness especially because our State Governor, Pst Umo Eno is particular about tourism", he stated.

He therefore told NURTW  of his team's planned inspection of approved parks in the State, ahead of their intensive road-drive which will commence in February.

"Starting from 1st of February, we will stop operators of illegal parks in the capital city and drive them into the approved parks. But we will come for inspection first to be sure that the parks are useful and can accommodate those we'll be driving off the streets", he assured.

Promising them an effective synergy, the UCCDA Chairman agreed to incorporate some members of the NURTW into the UCCDA team to enable them chart a course on areas of collaboration. He said the incorporation was necessary to help both organizations achieve their objectives.

Earlier, the Chairman, NURTW, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Uwem Umo Inyang pledged the Union's support for UCCDA's plans for the motorparks and it's leadership. He was corroborated by the NURTW Chairman in Itu, Eld. Timothy Udoh who lamented the menace of illegal motor park operators.

"It is sad that motorparks built with our taxes are left empty while some have been vandalised by hoodlums. Meanwhile, these parks were sited at the sub-urbans so that the capital city can be clean. But it seems like that plan has now been defeated", he explained.

Among other things, the NURTW also made a case for maintenance of the parks to prevent them from wearing out.  

Their request was assented to by the Secretary, UCCDA, Mr. Anietie Akpan who told them that plans were underway on that.

The meeting was attended by Board members of the UCCDA, members of NURTW and heads of motor parks in Uyo Capital City.

Akwa Ibom Photographer Wins 3rd Place at 2023 International Close Up Photographer Of The Year Photo Contest

 

Joseph Macro

An Akwa Ibom photographer, David Joseph has clinched the 3rd place spot, Animals category at the 2023 edition of Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY). 

The Close-Up Photographer Of The Year (CUPOTY) is a yearly global photo competition that celebrates close-up, macro, and micro photography, where tiny creatures and things (or tiny parts of larger things), are captured to reveal details our naked eyes can't pick therefore revealing the hidden wonder of the world.

Winning Images for Animal Catergory

The winners and Top 100 pictures of its 5th edition were announced on Tuesday, January 9, via the contests' official website, with David Joseph making the list in the Animal category of the CUPOTY with his flawless "Natural Architecture", a picture of a sac spider in a curled and webbed grass.

David's Joseph winning image; a sac spider in a curled and webbed grass

According to the CUPOTY website, It took over 20 hours of Zoom calls with 23 judges looking at 11,870 photographs to create what is the best survey yet of close-up, macro, and micro photography in the world across 11 categories from 67 countries.  

"Personally, I think this is our best collection of winning images yet, and I’m so grateful to those who entered as it allows us to see and learn from their work and to recognize how incredible and surprising the world is", says CUPOTY co-founder Tracy Calder.

David, a native of Ikot Annung in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and a 2023 English Education graduate from the University of Uyo had won Akwa Ibom State Professional Photographers and Cinematographers Guild (ASPPACG) Macro Photographer Of The Year Award, 2022 edition. 

Robberfly by David Joseph

He hopes to make more people, especially our young ones aware and understand these little creatures, and replace fear with fascination, through his photos, future exhibitions and workshops, as well as activities in nature conservation programs, as these bugs, which are the unseen heroes of our world are essential to not just our survival, but continuity of the earth. See his works on Instagram: @abcdee_david.

PRESS RELEASE

 

CONFERENCE OF ONLINE PUBLISHERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE (COOPA)

4th January, 2023.

2024: A YEAR TO MOVE FORWARD

As we come into the New Year, 2024, the Conference Of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA), welcomes all Akwa Ibomites to a fresh journey where hope should be renewed with a sense of purpose, focus and clarity on the ideals that will drive the wheels of development in our dear state to a desired destination.

COOPA wishes to commend the efforts of the present administration led by Pastor Umo Eno, who has been proactive in delivering on the pillars of the A.R.I.S.E Agenda mantra in the Agricultural sector, especially, with the establishment of Ibom Model Farm; ecological intervention projects; education; infrastructural development; Aviation; Power; Man power development with the payment of gratuities; Health; Tourism; ICT; and Security. 

On security, we wish to salute the forward steps of the state government to boost security by putting in place the Ibom Community Watch programme, the signing into law of the Akwa Ibom Security Trust Fund Bill, and the recent launch of the Akwa Ibom State Waterways Security Assets. It is also pertinent to emphasise that these machineries should be put into optimal use in securing lives and properties of the citizenry and residents of the State. Government should redouble efforts to  tame the spate of insecurity and ensure the release of the remaining Corps members kidnapped on their way to the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as in the case of the State High Court Judge, Justice Unwana Joy.

Importantly, too, we urge the government to prioritise the establishment of stable ICT platforms for the teeming youths of the state, in line with 21st century technological  innovation and revolution. With the 'Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau for ICT, Innovation and Emerging Technologies (AKIBCT)' before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, we believe, when passed, more opportunities for job creation, skills acquisition and intellectual engagement of the youths will be achieved, while crime rate will be reduced to the barest minimum.

COOPA hopes to remain an impartial partner in the development process of Akwa Ibom State and looks forward to a more productive year, even as we collectively work to foster democratic dividends to our people. 

Signed:

Mr. Utitofon Ukpong,

Chancellor.

Comrade Priscilla Akpanettot,

Secretary

The Struggle Continues

 

The struggle for survival, relevance,  permanence, independence, power, occupancy, headship and so on, continues.

Whatever you'll be struggling for this Year, do not rub the outcome on the faces of those who won't meet up with you.

Don't make anyone feel they can't be anywhere close to your space. Don't act or play God.

Remember you don't, and won't have it all. 

We will all get there in our appointed time.

Allow people breathe!