From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
A socio – cultural group of elders, leaders and stakeholders of Ibeno ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibom State, the Ulok – Ulok People’s Assembly, UUPA, has applauded President Bola Tinubu, for implementing the local government autonomy, noting that the system has brought more dividends of democracy to the grassroots, especially in the oil- rich Ibeno LGA.
The chieftains of the area noted that the direct allocations to the LGA have been well appropriated and utilised for empowerment, Infrastructure, health, education, and other community interventions under the chairmanship of Hon Glory Ekah Effiong.
The leader of Ward 7, Chief Ibok Peter, who spoke in an interview at the weekend, described the Chairperson’s efforts in providing social welfare, security, infrastructure, and motherly care as exemplary.
He explained that though the Chairman has been actively involved in developing blueprints and initiatives to transform the council, her efforts are tied to the broader developmental initiatives of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Chief Peter listed some of her notable achievements to include; security and law enforcement; infrastructural development; construction of 1.5km road project at Ekah Crescent; Mkpanak with drains and initiated the groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art LG Secretariat rehabilitation of council offices and equipped with modern facilities “to ensure efficient working environment; social welfare and community support”.
Others are initiation of child welfare support scheme among families to foster moral values; distribute gifts, and promote inclusivity, welfare packages to mothers and newborns under Ibeno healthcare; promoting family well-being and maternal care.
He said: “Engagement of teachers and healthcare workers in the riverine communities to improve their working conditions in collaboration with the state government.
”Launching of vocational training initiatives on Information, Communication and Technology, welding, tailoring and fish farming, as well as equiping participants with practical skills for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
“Introduction of soft loans and grants for small businesses in order to foster the growth of local enterprise and encouraging innovation among Ibeno entrepreneurs”.
Another stakeholder, Mr. Victor Edikpo, stated that, the Chairman had displayed exemplary compassion towards ameliorating the plights of victims of attacks at Ndito Eka Iba, Inua Eyet Ikot 2, Iwuoachang and Okoroitak communities after series of unwarranted attacks by Eket and Esit Eket neighbours.
He noted that her efforts have pacified the people, especially the victims of attacks, as she took turns to reconstruct houses destroyed during the arson attacks.
“The Chairman’s effort was an intervention towards ameliorating the suffering of the people from communities attacked; while waiting for the state government to also compensate them as promised by the Governor during his visit to the area.
“While still waiting and hoping that the state government would come to assist the victims as earlier promised, she facilitated the implementation of resolutions, a Monitoring Committee that was set up to monitor the commencement and completion of all the affected houses burnt during the mayhem.
“The Chairman has assured that, all business entrepreneurs who were affected, and those who lost their valuables during the incident, have been listed for empowerment and resettlement”, Mr. Edikpo stated.
One of the beneficiaries of the empowerment programmes, Mr. Okon Akwaha, a tailor from Iwochang village, also praised the chairman for the empowerment programme and financial support to artisans to expand their trades, and called on indigenes and residence to continue to support the grassroots administration for more dividends of democracy to thrive. in order to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to thrive in the council.
