… as Youths, Students, NLC, TUC Opt Out of the Planned Protest
Ahead of the planned nationwide protest, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has urged youths and residents of the State to maintain peace to enable the State achieve its economic development plans as contained in the ARISE Agenda.
Addressing a cross section of critical stakeholders drawn from youth groups, Students, Market Association, NLC and TUC, Civil Society Organizations, and others in Uyo, the Governor acknowledged that it is a constitutional right of citizens to assemble and peacefully protest certain acts of government, but appealed that the State will benefit more in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
He noted that the State under his leadership has made commited effort to improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom people through various interventions especially in the areas of government – labour relations, humanitarian initiatives, youth empowerment schemes, palliative, agriculture, education, healthcare services and other capital projects executed, stressing that the State’s status as one of the most peaceful has attracted tourists and investors.
“Let me also emphasize that we are a peaceful State and we have maintained this hard-won peace, over the years. I want to appeal, if at all, you will participate in the planned protest, (since youth from a number of States have opted out), to please do so peacefully. You must ensure that miscreants and hoodlums do not hijack your protest.
“The question, however remains: Should the protest actually take place here, given our people-friendly disposition, our deep and abiding concerns for the welfare of our people, the workers in the public service, the care for the poor and the most vulnerable, our intentional concentration of resources to giving hope to the hopeless, and the ARISE Compassionate Homes we have built.
“We have paid over N22 billion gratuities to the retired Primary School, Local Government and State Civil Service retirees and N50 thousand stipend to the elderly in our ARISE Elderly Care Initiative.
“Our free voucher programme through our Bulk Purchase Agency has so far touched 314, 422 families in the state, the social transfers to the aged, physically challenged, chronically ill, widows has equally impacted and touched over two hundred thousand beneficiaries drawn from the revised Social Register.
“We have also paid wage award for three months to cushion the effect of the high cost of living arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.
“We paid the 13 month salary tagged ’Enomber’ last December and about a month ago, had paid 1.1 billion Naira as bonus to all public service workers to mark the ‘Public Service Week.’ We have commissioned 236 Grace Estate, as a fulfillment of government’s promise to provide low to middle-income housing schemes for civil servants. 150 of those units are to be given free through a raffle draw after the payment of N50,000 Expression of Interest. I am informed that, the programme is ongoing.
“We have released 2023 promotion and increased the pensions of those who retired before 2012. We have approved the release of the outstanding 7.7 percent Contributory Pension to contributors. The conduct of Service-wide examinations in preparation for the 2024 promotions have been approved,” he said.
The Governor further enumerated other achievements to include; donation of 36 fully-furnished two-bedroom bungalows equipped with solar powered borehole, solar electricity and business support grant of N500,000 to each of the beneficiaries. 164 more of such homes are to be completed this second year, and 400 homes at the end of the first term.
While enumerating many other strides of the State government, the State Chief Executive appealed to the youths and all Akwa Ibomites to join hands with government to further on its development initiative for the good of all.
In their separate remarks, the youth groups, students, market association and organised labour commended the Governor for his commitment to the people’s welfare and the general development of the State and assured that they were not part of the organizers of the planned protest and will not take part in it.
Similarly, Mr. Harry Udoh who represented the CSOs commended the governor’s efforts at impacting every sector of the society through palliative, bursary, skill training and empowerment, prompt payment of salaries, and other entitlements to workers, and appealed for fairness and judicious distribution of palliative.
Also speaking, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of the Akwa Ibom Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Ntenyin Solomon Etuk acknowledged that the Governor has been very intentional in his development efforts, adding that the protest was not necessary in Akwa Ibom and urged everyone to continue to support him for more dividends of democracy.
On his part, the State commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara said the police and other sister agencies were ready to provide the necessary protection to all including those who wish to protest, while reeling off conditions they must meet to do so.
He urged everyone to go about their legitimate businesses and to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
