Breaking News: Former NDDC Chairman, Sam Edem is dead

Amb. Sam Edem

By UbongAbasi Okon

Amb. Sam Edem, a former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is dead.

Gov Emmanuel applauds FG on speedy actualization of Ibom Deep Seaport

…As ICRC presents FBCC Certificate to Transport Minister Governor Udom

 Emmanuel has applauded President Mohammadu Buhari led the federal government’s determination to fast track the actualisation of Ibom Deep Seaport, IDSP. 

The governor also thanked the Federal Ministry of Transportation, led by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and all relevant federal regulatory agencies including the NPA, ICRC, and others for working tirelessly with Akwa Ibom state government to actualise a vision that will transform the economic fortunes of the entire country.

 He poured encomiums on the Technical Committee on Realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport, led by Barrister (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, for its dedication and high sense of patriotism displayed in pursuing the project.

These commendations came on the heels of an announcement that the federal government is set to move to the next level of the procurement process of the Ibom Deep Water Port (IDWP) through Public-Private Partnership (PPP). 

Governor Emmanuel speaking through the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon said ” the government and people of Akwa Ibom state are very happy with this development and we must appreciate President Mohammadu Buhari for his visionary leadership and thank the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and all relevant regulatory agencies who diligently and tirelessly with our state government and contributed to the success so far recorded.”

 He maintained that ” this certification is clear evidence that the federal government appreciates the extensive benefits Ibom Deep Seaport will attract to the country in terms of expansive business and employment opportunities”.

 “In addition, this development will provide federal with an additional port to help decongest other ports and ensure that Nigeria enjoys seamless engagement in its maritime sector”. He said.

 In his capacity as Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deepseaport, Mr. Akan Okon commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his commitment to the realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport demonstrated by his prompt response to issues related to the project. “Governor Emmanuel is focused on leaving sustainable legacies in the state, which drives his passion for the realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport. With such commitment, it is easy to state that Akwa Ibom is fully committed towards speedy completion of the project”. 

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, presented the Full Business Case Compliance Certificate for the project to the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja on Monday. 

During the presentation, the ICRC DG, Mr. Izuwah noted that “the IDWP project is planned to become a major national and regional economic gateway that will provide additional container handling capacity for the country. 

“In addition to containers, the IDWP is expected to handle petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas, vehicles and bulk trade in natural resources thereby expanding and further developing the Nation’s transport sector’, he said.

The DG appreciated tremendously the leadership that the Federal Ministry of Transportation, through the able and tireless Honourable Minister, Rt. Hon. Amaechi has provided for the project. The DG also appreciated the MD Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, and the Akwa Ibom State Governor, HE Udom Emmanuel for all their effort in getting the project to this point. 

The IDWP project involves the development of a Greenfield Deepsea Port and accompanying Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Akwa Ibom State in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The proposed Port and FTZ are part of the planned Ibom Industrial City initiative that will be established on a 14,400-hectare site donated by the Akwa Ibom State Government (AKSG) free of charge. 

It may be recalled that Bollore/Power China emerged the preferred bidder for IDSP following the transparent bidding process that held earlier. FEC presentation and approval and commercial close is the next stage for the project.

Culled from: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/gov-emmanuel-applauds-fg-on-speedy-actualization-of-ibom-deep-seaport/

Breaking News: NDDC Director of Finance, Ibanga Etang is dead

The sad news we are tracking this moment is that the Director of Finance in the Interim Management Board of the Niger Delta Development (NDDC), Chief Ibanga Etang, is dead.

Unknown men attack journalist’s residence in Akwa Ibom

Mr Charles Akpan

Some unknown men have attacked the Uyo residence of Mr Charles Akpan, a journalist in Akwa Ibom state.

How we ate food, gulped drinks meant for the gods – Akwa Ibom lawyer

Ekpo masquerade

Akwa Ibom lawyer, Udeme Ekott, has taken to Facebook to share an interesting story about his growing up in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, how he and his friends ate rice and stew, drank fanta which were kept by the roadside as ‘sacrifice’ for some gods.

Covid-19 will inspire patriotism among Nigerian politicians – Onofiok Luke

Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke

A member of the House of Representatives, Onofiok Luke, has advised Nigerians not to fret or be in despair despite the “uncertainty” created in the world over by the new coronavirus.

Pastor accuses A'Ibom Works Commissioner of stealing N200 million ‘Xmas money’ meant for Civil Servants

Mr Ephraim Inyang, Works Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State

By Betty Ukoren

A pastor in Akwa Ibom state, Mr Nsikanabasi Ese, has accused the Commissioner of Works in the state, Mr Ephraim Inyang, of stealing N200 million belonging to civil servants in the state ministry of works. (Read more after the cut)

Akwa Ibom senator received praises for attending newspaper vendor’s thanksgiving service

(from left) Mr Ndifreke, the newspaper vendor, with Senator Bassey Albert

By Nse Peter

Obong Bassey Albert, the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, on Sunday displayed humility rarely found among politicians in Akwa Ibom, as he attended a Church thanksgiving service organised by one Mr. Ndifreke, said to be a newspaper vendor in Uyo.

Book by young Akwa Ibom author sells 26,000 copies

‘Idiots With B.Sc.,’ a book written by a young author from Akwa Ibom state, has sold 26,000 copies so far.

Photos: Former senator, Aloysius Etuk, celebrates 60th birthday

The former senator, who is from Ikono Local Government Area, represented Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the Senate from 2007 to 2015. He was succeeded by the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who is the Senate Minority Leader.

Dr. Etuk, apart from being a politician, is an entrepreneur and the owner of the prestigious Fortune Secondary School, Uyo.

He is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.

We wish the Distinguished Senator, a happy birthday!

See more photos after the cut…..

Serial Thief Caught In Uyo Estate

A young man alleged to be a serial thief was caught on Friday morning at Osongama Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He is said to be a keke (tricycle) rider.

Photos: Ati Annang honours Senator Akpabio

A foremost socio-cultural organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Ati Annang, on Saturday presented the Leadership Prize Award to the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Chairman’s P.A Calls Union Secretary “Bagger”, As Crisis Rocks A’Ibom NUJ

By Nse Peter

An internal crisis, which is snowballing into scandal, is currently rocking the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, under the watch of its Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert.

Photos: Mr. Anietie Usen gives mother, late Deacon Jessie Usen, a befitting burial

Mr. Usen is a director in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The burial ceremony took place on Friday, 23 Oct, 2015 at Afaha Akpan Ekpo, Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. (Photos taken from Anietie Usen facebook page). See more photos after the cut…..

Attah quits politics, urges PDP to reorder steps

By Etim Ekpimah

A former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, has said he has decided to quit partisan politics, warning that his action should not be misconstrued as joining the All Progressives Congress.

Group honours rights activist, Inibehe Effiong for tackling abuses during Akpabio’s govt

By Nse Peter

A non-governmental organization in Nigeria has inducted a renowned human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong into its Hall of Fame.

Bassey Dan-Abia, Effiong Bob, others shun Gov Udom Emmanuel’s reception

By Nse Peter

The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Obong Bassey Dan-Abia was conspicuously absent at a reception organised on Friday in Uyo for Governor Udom Emmanuel by the Akwa Ibom State government.

APC plans to appeal A’Ibom gov tribunal judgment

By Etim Ekpimah

The All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State has said it will appeal the judgment delivered on Wednesday by the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja.

Tribunal judgment: Don Etiebet, Nsima Ekere, Inibehe Okori join Umana for celebration

By Nse Peter

The Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment today, and for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, it was one moment worthy of celebration.

Election Tribunal Nullifies Akwa Ibom Governorship Poll, Orders Re-Run in 18 Local Govt Areas

SaharaReporters can authoritatively report that the election tribunal for Akwa Ibom State has invalidated the election results in 18 out of 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State. According to the All Progressives Congress (APC), “some other LGAs did not comply with the provisions of the law. It holds that 566,436 voters were disenfranchised.”