Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
…Commends Indigenous Contractors
…Tasks Journalists on Investigative journalism
By John Ernest
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen has shown displeasure over the contractors handling Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects in Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner who made this known to Journalists in the state when he paid a visit to the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during the 2018 edition of the union’s monthly congress, maintained that Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration is not fighting or antagonizing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) when it comes to road projects in the state, but rather the contractors handling the projects should adhere to global standard and subject themselves to supervision by the Akwa Ibom State government for thorough job delivery.
The commissioner who is also the Grand Patron of NUJ Zone F, (South South) explained that the state government simply demanded for quality job delivery by NDDC contractors to ensure that wastage of funds allotted to the state by the Federal Government is curbed. Adding that the contractors handling NDDC projects are using substandard materials in carrying out poorly executed jobs which eventually deteriorate few months after execution and faulted claims that NDDC is impacting positively on Akwa Ibom people.
Akparawa Inyang-eyen debunked the rumour that his ministry had forcefully chased away NDDC contractors from construction sites using armed security personnel attached to him adding that as a responsible government, such action is the least approach ever contemplated in carrying out its core mandate.
The Grand Patron of NUJ Zone F gave kudos to indigenous contractors handling roads in state for delivering quality roads and adhering to international best practices in the various road contracts given to them. He said it was evidenced that with the quality of jobs executed by the indigenous contractors, the companies can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts in roads and other construction engagements.
Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen also used the event to task journalists in Akwa Ibom State on Investigative journalism. According to him, journalists in Akwa Ibom can affect positive change by practicing investigative journalism and follow old-fashioned reporting as exemplified by Ray Ekpu, Dele Kiwa among other veteran journalists by having access to vast amounts of information, stressing that by so doing there would be greater impacts for justice, accountability and transparency as the Nigeria Union of Journalists in this part of the country leads the charge in a new era for investigative journalism. He urged Journalists in the state to be more committed to factual reportage and shun propaganda that do not add value to the growth and development of Akwa Ibom State.
