IPAC commences LG/Projects’ Assessment Tour

… Commends Gov. Emmanuel on developmental project in AKS
The state branch of InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC) has commenced it Local Government/Projects Assessment tour to the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. The Council which is the umbrella of all Political Parties in the state began the ongoing 2 weeks exercise on Wednesday19 April, 2017 with Onna and Mkpat Enin Local Government Areas.
Leading the state Chairmen of respective political parties to the tour, the Chairman of IPAC, Engr. Martins Inyang who noted that after elections, there must be governance, maintained that the aims of the exercise is to assess the level of performance of leaders at the local government level which according to him is the closest government to the people at the grassroots.
Apart from that, the Chairman stressed that the Governor during his electioneering campaigns placed as his top priority to offer the people of the state effective and quality leadership as well as provide dividends of democracy to the people of the state, noting that, that was why IPAC took upon itself to go round the 31 LGAs to assess the level of developmental projects so far initiated by the current administration in the state.
“And also, we assess the effort by your Transition Committee in the Local Government Council to sustain and maintain the existing structures and facilities in their respective Area. Despite the limited resources witnessed in the country, we cannot stop giving democratic dividends to the people, especially at the grassroots level.”
He pointed out that some of the perquisite of the assessment are among other things include Staff attendants at work, maintenance of structures/facilities, payment of salary/allowances, public relation, probity/competence, community based projects, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Government Cardinal programmes and finance proprieties.
At Onna Local Government Council, the representative of the Council Chairman, Hon Phillip Ambrose, who is in-charge of Chieftaincy, Political and Special Duties while welcoming the State Chairmen of political parties to the council, thanked the people of Area were proud and are impressed by the performance of the son, Deacon Udom Emmanuel ever since he assumed office as a governor of the state.
He noted that some of the projects and programs embarked by the present Transition Committee include maintenance of the existing structures and facilities, repair and maintenance of Council vehicles, payment of inherited debt of electricity bill of about 400 thousand out of 700 thousand.
At Mkpatenin Local Government Council, the Transition Chairman who was represented by the Secretary, Mr. Nseobong Essien while welcoming the IPAC Team to the Area thanked the Almighty God for save journey to the Mkpatenin, and commends the Party Chairmen coming together to support and promote Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.
The Council Boss explained that the Transition Committee inaugurated by Governor Udom Emmanuel assumed office on 4th of July, 2016 and immediately allotted different positions for the Transition Members. “We started first by meeting with the various internally generated revenue agencies and then, we met the management Committees like market management committees and other committees that are revenue based.
“Then, we later gone as far as setting-up committees, sub-committees that involves the Director of Finance, Revenue Officers as to give us a ruburst relationship with most of them. So far, we have created job opportunities for the youths of 4 clans of the area, and aside from that, we also have a cordial relationship with our traditional fathers here in the area. We, from time to time have meetings/seminars with the youths, women and elders. We hosted and as well participate in every activities and programs of governments.
The Council Boss used the opportunity to appreciate the State Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel for his industrialization program for the people of the state which according to him have really impacted and have been benefited by the people of Mkpat Enin in terms of job creation. “The Coconut refinery done by the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel has attracted about 60% of the job slot to our people. He has so far embarked on numerous road construction in Mkpatenin including Awa-Ukam Road, Ikot Usop-Ikot Edeghe Road amongst others.
On his part, the Special Assistant to the Governor on InterParty Matters, Mr. Lawrence Udoh JP, who accompanied to the tour used the opportunity to advise the Council Boss and his members to mobilize the people of the area to go out enmass for voters registration as INEC has commenced the registration exercise, noting that without voter’s card, no one would be allow to near the polling units during the upcoming general election.
“The National Identity Card registration is also very important, the council must also rise to ensure that the people get registered to have that identity as a Nigerian.”
He called on the people to continuously render their support to the governor whom according to him has made the people proud in terms of managing the little resources allocated to the state.
The highpoint of the tour was visitation of projects’ site in the areas.