By Idara Ebong
More of a departure of possible concerns experienced in some Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom, councillors from all the 13 wards of Ibiono Ibom LGA have had cause to smile as the Executive Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Rt. Hon. Ekopimo Polycarp Edet has willingly paid all entitlements provided for all serving Councillors of the council till date.
An independent survey by Ibiono Ibom Vanguard indicates that the principal officers of the council to include: The Vice Chairman, Secretary & Leader of Council have equally received their official cars away from all their salaries and other entitlements within almost three years of service.
The group, however, commended the Chairman for ensuring that the right things are done and bringing pragmaticism in the administration of the area having provided all the needful due the serving Councillors and principal officers of Ibiono Ibom LGA.
The group equally commended the Councillors of AKISIEC Wards 8, 9, 12 & 13, Hon Ebu, Hon Udeme Sunday, Hon Ita Ukpong and Hon Esin Esin respectively for reaching out to their people at various times through their thoughtful empowerment initiatives but wished other Councillors would have put up one social responsibility or the other for the benefit of their constituents, adding that regrettably, those other Councillors have never called a meeting of their respective wards to brief their constituents of their representation or even regularly visit their wards since assumption of office almost three years now.
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In a statement signed by the group’s President Kenneth David and made available to the media at Oko-Ita on Friday, September 22, 2023, lauded the Chairman for not giving room for altercations by the councillors and principal officers of the council but doing the needful for stability, cohesion, quality service and leadership while also appreciating him for the top-notch renovation of Ikpa Pavilion, a major social engagement platform for Ibiono Ibom people that was hitherto dilapidated as it will enhance social engineering among Ibiono Ibom people as well as the Council Secretariat gatehouse project among some roads intervention projects around the area.
Ibiono Ibom Vanguard also commend Gov Umo Eno for visiting the site of the facilities at the newly established Federal College of Education, Ididep, in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area to explore opportunities for partnering with the Federal Government to facilitate the smooth and immediate commencement of the institution and for directing the Ministry of Lands to collaborate with the community and expedite the process of issuing a Certificate of Occupancy for the land, waiving all monetary compensation requirements for both the State and the community.
The group is also appreciative of the peaceful and fatherly disposition of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Ime UdoUsoro Inyang in the overall development of the area and called on the State government to be more intentional in seeing to it that the only health facility for the people of the area initiated by the previous administration is given attention towards completion to provide the much-needed access to health care by the people of the area.
