Transport commissioner meets Keke operators in Uyo

The commissioner for Transport in Akwa Ibom State, Prince Godwin Ntukude, on Saturday the 11th of January, 2014 had a meeting with keke operators in the state under the ageis of Tricycle Union of Nigeria (T.U.N) at the Ministry’s office at Ben Udo Street, Ewer Housing Estate, Uyo.

The tricycle operators defied the early morning cold and abandoned their businesses to meet with the commissioner to register their complaints on some issues affecting them and to also thank him for standing by them so far since he took over the reins of power in the transport ministry.

Assemblyman donates clan centre to constituent

Praises galore poured in for the member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson when he handed over a clan centre which he personally reconstructed at Iffe, in Ikpa Ikono Clan. 

 
Barrister Sampson did this as part of his routine generosity to his constituents.
As part of the event, the lawmaker presented skills acquisition equipments to some youths of Ikpa Ikono Clan under his empowerment programme (Ekong Sampson Empowerment Program), ESEP. Empowerment equipment given to the beneficiaries included:
A complete set of aluminum doors/windows profiling equipment to Mr. Edidion Aniefiok Dickson.

Etinan Federal Constituency 2015: Nsit Ibom will produce next representative – Hon. David Etuk

Political analysis may have foreclosed the  possibility of Etinan and Nsit Ubium local government areas winning the Etinan Federal Constituency nomination ahead of the 2015 general election as the arrow of representation in the Federal Constituency points at Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, given the political zoning practices that is prevalent in constituency over the years.

The Special Assistant to Governor Godswill Akpabio on Projects, Mr David Etuk in an interactive session with newsmen during the yuletide cerebration which took place in his country home in Ikot Idem, Nsit Ibom  local government area, disclosed that PDP in Etinan Federal Constituency understands the language of zoning within the three local government areas that make up the constituency.

2015: Ika youths vow to support Akpabio

The youths of Ika Local Government Area have promised to support the senatorial ambition of Chief Godswill Akpabio whom they describe as the best candidate who will not forget Ika people when he is elected into the senate.

The youths bared their minds during a town hall meeting held at the council’s unity hall organized to address issues affecting them. The Chairman of the council, Saviour Eyikere, represented by his Vice, Hon. Tony Udo Usung described the Governor as the best candidate who will not let Ika people down when elected.

Akpabio harps on fairness and justice on federation account

The state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has harped on the need to uphold the principles of fairness, justice and equity in the revenue sharing by the Federation Account.

Governor Akpabio stated this while declaring open a two-day retreat by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Post-Mortem Sub-Committee holding at the civil service auditorium, in Uyo.

Sarah Elijah has not failed Nsit Atai says media aide

 

The media aide to the member Nsit Atai State constituency has urged the people of the state constituency and Akwa Ibomites to discountenance media reports that claims that the Hon Member for the area, Sarah Elijah has failed Nsit Atai state constituency. In a press statement Ifiok David said, ordinarily, we would not have bothered to respond to such unfounded publication but for the purposes of clarity and future records we are compelled to make our position known and to put it on notice to the good people of Nsit Atai State Constituency the excesses of the so called consolidated movement lead by one Mr. Felix Etim which of course such name and group do not exist in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, that we will no longer tolerate such blackmail.

Government should allow Civil Servants exist honourably instead of treating them with ignominy

BY AKPANDEM
 

The traditional role of the civil service is the execution of government policy. 

The civil service is one of the visible arms of government and a source of stability; an embodiment of government in the day to day life of the people. The service helps to preserve the mystique of government and authority through the daily contact with officials at all levels including the general public. The civil service is sometimes called upon to act as the custodian of public conscience. Civil servants are the most effective critics of the government of the day because they have the singular privilege of offering the critique of public policy. The good civil servant has to endure inconvenient policies until they are changed by the government. Our history has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt, that people usually shout “hosanna” to the government of the day and crucify them when those in power have fallen from grace.

In a dynamic and unstable situation with sudden and abrupt or frequent changes in the government, the civil service plays a vital role in providing continuity and serves as the store knowledge of past decisions and procedures. The service also plays an educative role in assisting new commissioners to adapt to the realities of power and thereby, giving up some of their oppositions about the government. A man on the street in his dealing with any civil servant, experiences the government of the day. Though members of the state executive council constitute the government, the ordinary man feels the presence of government primarily through the activities of civil servants.

In developing countries like Nigeria, the civil service constitutes the machinery for economic and human resources for the mobilization of social and economic growth. It undertakes the promotion of industrial development. It serves to raise agricultural output and modernize agricultural labour. It engages in the improvement of the transportation and communication network and executes government policies on education. In developing countries where the government is looked upon for the provision of almost everything needed for decent living, the influence of the civil service becomes pervading since it is conterminous with government activities. 

The civil service is therefore like a chain in which every link is vital. No matter how good the policies of an administration may be, the extent to which the man on the street will benefit from it depends on how well such policies are executed by the civil servants. Experience has shown that the continuity and educative influence of the civil service in times of serious political crisis resulting in power vacuum can be critical in determining the course of events, at least in the short run. A considerable portion of the government’s work and civil service are clothed with confidentiality and the process of work in the civil service is government by general order. A civil servant is perhaps placed at a vantage point to see the problems of public administration in their true perspective not to talk of being in a position to offer useful advice and suggestions for the guidance of decision-makers.

It is regrettable that the civil service which has always had its traditional strength, the criterion of merit and ability, is this time corroded by the government of the day which is also influenced by appointments and promotions. Although the government of the day is bent on putting their sons and daughters into top most positions in the service; regardless of the merit or ability of such candidate, false credentials and other incriminating factors, those who got employed through this crooked pattern will find themselves to blame in the near future. 

 I am pleading with the civil servants to summon all the courage and determination that is humanly possible in order to discharge their duties without fear of favour, while forgoing those with political connections because their exploits will be traced. History has a way of repeating itself and the truth always prevails. The Nigerian civil service which is also an attribute of the British civil service having the principle of continuity of service is supposed to be regarded in high esteem but, it is being downgraded and reduced to nothing, with issues like irregular payment of salaries and allowances dominating the system.

 I pray God saves the civil servants from the hands of the present administration.

The murky waters of zoning: What Nigerians think

 

Zoning is not a  new vocabulary in the political landscape of Nigeria. Political pundits would recall that the word originated with the advent of the Peoples Democratic Party who thought the ideology of zoning will help to stabilize the Nigerian policy.

Perhaps the founding fathers of the party originally meant well for the country. But in recent times the extent that the word has been used to scheme out certain groups of people from occupying certain offices in the country has made the word to become a bitter pill for some people who feel cheated and marginalized through zoning. Little wonder why the stakeholders meeting recently convened in the state under the auspices of Uyo senatorial District Youth Forum almost degenerated into fisticuffs when some apostles of zoning dared to air their view openly in support of zoning the 2015 governorship office to the Eket senatorial District. This forms the crux of this piece, where the Rendezvous sought the views of Nigerians on this subject and their views are here presented. 

Umana Umana may be arrested

 

Barring any last minute change of mind, the former Secretary to the State Government, Obong Umana Umana may be arrested and kept on check until after the next general elections. THE INK gathered from reliable sources that the plot to keep Umana in check is what the state Governor has devised in order to shut down the financial influence of the embattled ex SSG.

 

 It was gathered that there have been some sharp practices that was allegedly committed by the office of the SSG when the Nsit Ubium born technocrat was in charge. An Insider informed that this is the premise in which the State Government wants to use to ensure that Umana is put under check as it has also been revealed that the ex SSG has piled up lots of war chest against Governor Akpabio with one of the underlying factor being that the Governor has continued to undermine Obong Umana ever since the ex SSG was sacked.

Government in waiting will very soon become government in existence BY AKPANDEM

Our government will be a popular participatory government, reduced to the simplest term; a government that will exist to satisfy the needs of the people, promote their happiness, welfare and adequately consider the general impression of the average citizen. The government will neutralize the causes of political friction and bitterness, and it will not be a government where the Commissioner, Board members or elected people are reduced to mere observers that have no say in formulation and direction policy; they will be involved both individually and as a team. We should be united in pursuance of our goals; all need to rise up together from nooks and crannies, join hands in unison whether we are rich or poor, boy or girl, politician or civil servants, to salvage this prosperous state of ours. The common slogan which must be on the lips of all should be: “All hands on deck”. We all are involved in this state-building task and any attempt towards self-exclusion will be prevented. 

Mr GEE warns detractors

 

The councilor representing Ediene ward nine in Ikono Local Government Area, Hon George Etim Okon has described as unfortunate the report in a state based media (not THE INK) were a certain group known as Ediene Ward nine consultative Assembly are said to be moving against the lawmaker and are said to have sent an SOS to the Governor. 

The lawmaker in an interaction with our reporter maintained that such organization or union does not exist in Ikono and described the publication as the handiwork of some elements in the council who are uncomfortable with the cause of justice championed by his humble self. He further described the publication as an attempt to tarnish his hard earned reputation since he is on the path of justice.

This issue of delayed cases in court BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

The court of law today is seen and regarded has a long walk to justice and the enforcement of law owing to the common activities of members of the Judiciary which has protracted for ages. As a result of the above, the definition of law has become an object of personal opinion where one has to define its terms to his/her understanding or taste and this explains why everybody wants to take laws into his/her hands.

Much as people’s varying definitions differ from another’s stand point, the need to broaden the spectrum of citizens comprehension cannot be over looked as the law is the only coverage and backing they have from the government against foes and attempted threats to life.

Federated Chapel wins 2013 SWAN cup BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

Federated Chapel Football Team of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State chapter have emerged the winning team of the 2013 sports writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) football Cup.

 Federated chapel football team popularly known as “Federated Lions” won the cup after beating Information Chapel of the ministry of Information on penalties shoot out after playing 90 minutes and result ended stalemate at Uyo township stadium last week Monday.