Women Affairs Commissioner debunks false report on first lady, as contractor explains delay of project

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet has frowned at a report by a State based paper, not THE INK, insinuating that, the First Lady, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio is the cause of the delay in the completion of the rehabilitation work at the Women Development Centre, noting that it was fatally false and indeed a piece of blackmail designed to tarnish the image of the ministry.

In a chat with our correspondent, Dr Edet expressed dismay over what she said is false report concocted from the pit of hell, as she had at no time granted any interview or spoken to any person whatsoever, or reporter of the said newspaper on the issue of rehabilitation work at the Centre.

She described as fictitious and malicious the intent of the said report, as it was intended by the authors who contrived it, to malign not only the image of the wife of the State governor, but to blackmail her and cause disaffection in the polity.

The Women Affairs boss added that, Mrs. Akpabio had at no time interfered with the running of the Ministry and does not control funds allocated to the Ministry, harping that, those who concocted such lies are doing grave injustice to the First Lady, who she commended for her untiring efforts at giving women, the girl-child and children in general hope. Dr Edet further emphasized that, the First Lady’s intervention in building houses for widows across the state, rehabilitation of abandoned children, orphans and commercial sex workers in the state has been unprecedented in the annals of the state and goes a long way to complement the work and operations of the Ministry.

 On the achievements of the Ministry under her watch, Dr Glory Edet disclosed that, the Ministry has embarked on training for women leaders to equip them and improve the capacity to contribute to nation building. The ministry, she said had also undertaken evacuation and treatment of lunatics from the Streets in the state. Other achievements recorded by her Ministry include, empowerment of widows, successful celebration of the White Cane Day for all blind people and provision of White Cane for the blind, hosting of National Children Parliament retreat, as well as the celebrations of the International Day for Women, Armed Forces Remembrance, Day for the African Child and financial assistance to physically challenged persons amongst others. She called and prayers for the First family for their untiring at transforming the State.

In a related development, the Director of the Company handling the rehabilitation project at the Women Development Centre, Unemo Nig Ltd., Mr . Nsima Emmanuel has dismissed as false, the report that they have abandoned the project due to lack of funds. Mr Emmanuel in a telephone chat with our reporter explained that, the delay in the project has nothing to do with alleged embezzlement by officials of the Ministry, but hinted that, the work is in progress but slowed down due to heavy downpour. Mr Emmanuel however assured that the work will be delivered soon. He cautioned journalists to clarify issues before the go to the press instead of blackmailing innocent public officials and misinforming members of the public.