The Empire

  By Asuquo Edem  Concerned about the need to access quality essential healthcare services, access to safe, effective and affordable essential medicines and vaccines, the member representing Oron/Udung Iko State Constituency, Hon. Kenim Onofiok has advocated for the establishment of General Hospitals in Uyo and Mbo Local Government Areas. The Lawmaker while presenting a motion titled "The Need To Establish General Hospitals In Uyo and Mbo Local Government Areas" before the House during Plenary today, stated that there exist no General Hospitals in the two Local Government Areas and that the available government owned medical institutions in the affected Local Government Areas cannot adequately cater for the healthcare needs of the over 1.5 million people residents in the areas as well as visitors. Hon. Onofiok while describing health as wealth and that only a healthy population can contribute to building a prosperous society noted that a greater percentage of residents in Uyo

  By Asuquo Edem  The Public Hearing on a Bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom Infrastructure and Assets Management Maintenance Agency experienced discordant tunes from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Centre For Human Rights Accountability Network. The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Akwa Ibom State Branch, Comrade Sunny James while presenting his memo, charged government to rather channel it's energy and resources towards putting food on the table for it's citizens as the present astronomical cost of food was making it impossible for majority of families to feed.  "we need the bill on agriculture that talks about how people can eat, we are looking for a bill that would give Ibom Power Plant what is needed  to generate electricity for artisans and other employers of labour to use. We need a bill that will empower whichever ministry either that of Works or AKROIMA to fix the many potholes on Abak road. Right now,  Akwa Ibom workers are hungry and angry and

By Darlington UDOBONG In a time marked by inflation, economic instability, and high cost of living burdening ordinary individuals, and where access to affordable healthcare remains a pressing issue for countless households and communities nationwide, initiatives like the HENSEK Free Medical/Surgical Outreach shine brightly as beacons of hope and wellness.  In Akwa Ibom State, the name HENSEK has unequivocally become a household name and brand. For many, it represents an indigenous construction giant, a caregiver, a pathfinder and a torchbearer. HENSEK’s consistency in rendering free medical/surgical services to residents of Akwa Ibom State shows its holistic approach to healthcare delivery. Through 10 successful editions, HENSEK has partnered the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to provide care and cure to vulnerable and poor citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State. It is, indeed, humanity at work. Many thanks to the man behind the HENSEK brand, Engr. Uwem Stephen Okoko.  The 10th E

  By Asuquo Edem  In his strong desire towards fulfilling his calling to the legislature and his avowed commitment to bills and motions that have direct impact on the citizens,  the member representing Essien Udim State  Cnstituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II yesterday presented a Bill for the establishment of Ibom Oil and Gas Corporation before Plenary.  The Bill which was first mentioned mid last year which passed second reading according to the Sponsor was very necessary, Akwa Ibom State being a major player in oil and gas production sector.  Prince Akpabio who is the Chairman House Committee on Rules,  Business and Ethics noted that the essence of the Bill was to put the State at the fore and to establish Akwa Ibom State as a dominant player in the Nigerian oil and gas sector even as the State ranks among one of the largest producer of oil and gas however expressed regrets that the State only benefits from monthly allocation from the federal government as token.  Speaking to House C

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a resolution for Ibom Air to access neccesary funds for operation to remain in business. The resolution came from a letter from the State Governor Pastor Umo Eno to the Speaker with details GHU/ AKS/S/104/S.4/ Vol.1/5 titled "Re: Resolution of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on the Provision of Irrevocable Standing Order (ISPO) for up to N30,000,000,000.00 (Thirty Billion Naira) Bond Issuance Under the N200,000,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Billion Naira) Bond Issuance Programme by IAL Financing SPV PLC (Sponsored by Ibom Airlines Limited)." In his contributions to the letter of request, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Kufreabasi Edidem while decrying the travails of businesses with high interest rates from commercial banks noted that the approach of the governor for the airline showed clear ingenuity and encouraged his colleagues to support the cause to purchase the bond from the market.  He stated that it would

  PRESS RELEASE  FG SETS UP INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF LOW GAS SUPPLY TO POWER PLANTS  In a bid to address the challenges of low gas supply to Gas (Thermal) Power Generating Stations in the country, the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo and the Honourable Minister of Power,  Chief Adebayo Adelabu today, Wednesday 7th February 2024 in Abuja  have   set up an Inter-ministerial Committee that will suggest ways and means of achieving steady and sustainable gas supply to  Gas Power Generating Plants  to meet both  domestic and industrial needs of Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu's administration.  The Inter-Ministerial Committee was formed at the end of a meeting between the two Ministries  in the Office of the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas). At the meeting, Ekpo outlined the challenges causing   low supply of gas to Thermal Power Plants t

Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has pushed for the establishment of a Federal College of Fishery Technology and Aquaculture in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for the benefit of the state and its people. The Senator made the move during Tuesday plenary where he sought an amendment to a bill, the Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, which has passed through first reading. According to Senator Bassey, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, the Bill seeks to amend the Agricultural Council Act to establish the Federal College of Fishery Technology and Aquaculture in Uruan. The proposed Federal College is aimed at “providing full-time course for teaching, instruction and training in fishery technology, aquaculture, applied science, commerce, arts, social sciences, humanities and management.”   The College will also “carry out research in the develop

  Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Iseni Project by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its joint venture partners has opened up a new vista of opportunities for local content compliant contracts for Nigerian firms. Shell had sealed the FID with the NNPCL, TotalEnergies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, as joint venture partners, in a deal that will see the building of a dedicated upstream facility to supply 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Dangote Fertiliser and Petrochemical Plant in Lekki, Lagos State for ten (10) years. Ekpo, in a statement on Sunday by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, commended Shell and its partners for commiting to the FID, saying the development of the  gas-rich Iseni field would go a long way in supporting the Federal Government’s aspirations for the Decade of Gas initiative. Said Ekpo: "I am extremely excited with SPDC, NNPCL, TotalEnergies and NAO