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  • President Tinubu kick-starts 250 housing units estate in A’Ibom

    Housing
    By Sunday Bassey
    Uruan (Akwa Ibom) June 28, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu on Friday, commissioned work to start on a 250-housing unit project, in Ekpene Ukim, Uruan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom.
    Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Tinubu said that the project was part of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programmes of his administration.
    Represented by Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Tinubu stated that the implementation stage of the project would create massive job opportunities for youths.
    “This project will create no fewer than 6,500 construction sector-based jobs for architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, manson, plumbers, tilers, electricians among others.
    “Today’s ceremony is a continuation of the nationwide groundbreaking exercise for housing projects under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme of the Federal Government.
    “The current administration plans to deliver no fewer than 50,000 housing units across the federation under the first phase of this programme,” he said.
    The president said that the housing programme was intended to provide shelter, uplift lives, create jobs and boost economic development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
    “Recall that during the presidential kickoff of the programme in Abuja, we embarked on the first leg of this exercise with the groundbreaking of 1,500 housing units in the northern part of Nigeria.
    “This includes 250 housing units in each  Renewed Hope Estate in Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, and Sokoto states. It also includes a 500-housing unit Renewed Hope City in Kano.
    “Work is currently ongoing in each of these sites. Our intention is to complete work on these projects within three months. We have zero tolerance for delays as far as this programme is concerned,” he said.
    Tinubu urged the developers, Messrs Trust Global Limited, Springwell Intercontinental Resources, and Hyousungs Limited, to ensure that the estates were built according to specifications.
    “We will not tolerate substandard work from any developer. We will explore all necessary legal means to ensure that the jobs are delivered. If you collect government money, you must do the job.
    “The developers must adhere to the timeline and finish within three months so that we can begin the process of getting Akwa Ibom indigenes to purchase and move in,” he said.
    Earlier, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, described the housing project as a good omen to the state, and urged the developers to ensure expertise and commitment in its delivery.
    Represented by the Head of Service, Mr Effiong Essien, Eno said that the state government understood the importance of housing to the wellbeing of the populace.
    “As a government, we have constructed 250 housing units for workers, we are also building compassionate home for the less privilege in the state,” he said.
    SDB/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • Gov. Eno releases N4.7bn for gratuities, allowances for civil servants

    Gratuities
    By Sunday Bassey
    Uyo, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved the release of N4.7 billion for the payment of gratuities to retirees, bonuses and wardrobe allowance for civil servants.
    Mr Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday.
    Udoh said that the approval was a bold move by the governor towards fulfilling his campaign promises to Akwa Ibom people.
    Giving a breakdown of the approval, Udoh said that N2.3 billion would be used to pay the gratuities of retired civil servants in the state.
    He further said N1.1 billion would be used for wardrobe allowances to public school teachers while N1 billion would be used for the payment of bonuses to public service workers.
    The governor’s Spokesman further said that Eno had released the sum of N79 million for the award of scholarships to four Akwa Ibom indigenes recently admitted to study Standard Pilot and Standard Air Traffic Control courses at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
    “Also, N104 million has been released as part payment of the 2024 primary school teachers’ leave grant, and N172 million as a severance package for chairmen and vice-chairmen of local government councils who served between 2018 and 2022,” he said.
    The chief press secretary said that the governor remained committed towards impacting positively on the people through the ARISE Agenda.
    “The governor believes strongly in promoting the wellbeing of both retirees and the current workforce.
    “The current move is part of the government’s efforts to cushion the effect of the economic situation. It is a testimony of the state government’s commitment to the welfare of the people.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    SDB/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • Navy arrests vessel, 9 suspects over alleged threat to maritime safety

    Arrest

    By Sunday Bassey

    Ikot Abasi (Akwa Ibom) June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy, NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, says it has arrested an unnamed vessel and nine persons over alleged threat to maritime safety in the state.

    The Commander, Commodore Martins Fakrogha, confirmed the arrest to newsmen at Helms Jetty in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom on Tuesday.

    Fakrogha said that the vessel and the suspects were arrested at about 9.30p.m on Sunday following reliable intelligence information.

    “Upon getting the report, we swung into action, we apprehended he vessel which  is about 70 meters long and eight meters wide

    “Inside the vessel, we discovered six tanks with a capacity of 120,000 litres each, and a total capacity of about 780,000 litres,” Fakrogha said.

    Fakrogha further said that although the tanks in the vessels were empty, the movement of the vessel was a threat to the maritime safety of the nation.

    “There was no form of safety in the vessel, it is a self-propelled nameless vessel with three inbuilt mantra-made engines.

    “It is the duty of the Nigerian Navy to ensure that Nigerian waterways are safe for legitimate business men and women to use, we are committed to this duty,” he said.

    The commander urged boat owners and jetty managers in the state to always adhere to safety precautions.

    He said that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, had zero tolerance for martine crime and any form of waterways economic sabotage.

    He commended the Joint Tasks Force for its doggedness and resilience in protecting the waterways.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    SDB/KOO/AZU
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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Azubuike Okeh

  • Derivation fund: Eno advocates direct payment to oil-producing communities

    Fund

    By Sunday Bassey
    Uyo, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Umo Eno, of Akwa Ibom, has suggested that payment from the 13 per cent derivation fund should be made directly to the oil-producing communities.

    The governor stated this on Thursday while addressing a cross-section of students at the University of Uyo, shortly after his PhD Seminar presentation.

    He said that there was need to provide a sincere legal framework to make oil-producing communities to benefit directly from the fund.

    ”The framework will enable oil producing communities, traditional rulers, youth associations, community development councils, among others to directly benefit from the fund,” he said.

    The governor urged youths in the state to engage in self-development in order to take advantage emerging global opportunities.

    Eno said that it was highly advisable for youths to upgrade themselves in preparation for opportunities.

    “We have to learn how to prepare and wait for opportunities because in life, opportunities may never wait for anyone.

    “Although it is good to ask governments to build the youth, it is also very good for the youth to build themselves in order to fit into today’s highly competitive society,” he said.

    Eno restated his administration’s commitment towards the educational development of the state through the ARISE Agenda.

    He promised that bursary payment to Akwa Ibom students and other education support programmes would be implemented under his watch as the governor.

    The governor said that his visit to the university was part of his desire and commitment towards self-development

    “I finished my course work some years ago but could not proceed with the other requirements for the award of a PhD due to my political engagements.

    “Having done my seminar presentation today, I am now ready to complete the entire process,” he said.

    NAN reports that the governor presented a seminar paper titled: “Natural Resources Governance and Socio-Economic Development of Oil-Producing Communities in Akwa Ibom”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SDB/MAM/AZU

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    Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Azubuike Okeh