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General news

COVID-19: LG boss orders closure of shops, markets in Eket

COVID-19
Sunday Bassey
Eket (Akwa Ibom) April 1, 2020 (NAN) Mr Frank Archibong,  the Chairman, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday ordered the closure of all shops and markets in the area to ward off COVID-19.

Archibong gave the directive during a meeting with stakeholders in Eket.

He said the measure had become necessary to curb the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had earlier directed residents in the state to comply with the stay-at-home order to curb the spread of the virus.

“At trying times like this, all hands must be on deck in ensuring that we come out of this global emergency unscathed.

“Locking of shops and markets will take effect from April 1 being Wednesday to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the state, ’’ Archibong said.

According to him, all petroleum products dealers, foodstuffs dealers and dealers of essential commodities including pharmaceutical products are all exempted.

He, however, advised indigenes and residents of Eket and its environs to adhere strictly to medical regulations to stay safe.

The chairman urged security operatives not to compromise the lockdown directives issued by the state government.

“It is better to adhere to simple instructions of staying at home as directed by both the Federal and State Government and stay alive than disobeying safety and precautionary measures to risk life,’’ he said.

Archibong said adequate measures had been put in place to cushion the effects of the partial lockdown without any security breaches. (NAN)
SDB /OMO/AJA
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Edited by Martins Odeh/Adeleye Ajayi

 

 

 

 

General news

COVID-19: PHED promises electricity during stay at home period in A’Ibom

COVID-19
By Sunday Bassey 08029472002
Eket (Akwa Ibom), March 30, 2020 (NAN) Dr Henry Ajagbawa, the Managing Director, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED), has assured its customers of power supply during the period of stay at home due to the COVID-19.

Mr John Onyi, the Manager, the Corporate Communications made this known in a statement in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stay-at-home directive was issued by governors in the four states of the PHED operations as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

Ajagbawa assured that power supply received from the National Grid would be evenly distributed to Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states, during the period.

“We promise Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states electricity  during the stay at home period arising from COVID-19 pandemic as directed by states government, power supply received from the National Grid shall be distributed accordingly.”

He said that the essential workers would fix any fault that might impede power supply to customers during the stay at home.

“Our technical crew will be on ground to fix any fault that may occur in order to ensure that it is distributed accordingly.

The Managing Director said that adequate logistics had been put in place with a view to achieving safe and seamless service delivery.

He stressed the need for maintaining the social distancing aimed at keeping both the employees and customers safe, especially at this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, advised customers not to speculate but to report any loss of supply electronically to www.customercare@phed.com.ng: or call 24 hours  on 070022557433 and whatsApp on 09085555055.

“These are some of measures aimed at minimising physical contact,” he said. (NAN)
SDB/FHO/GY
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Edited by Hawa Lawal/Grace Yussuf

Health

COVID-19: Council chairman donates preventive materials

COVID-19: Council chairman donates preventive materials

COVID-19

By Sunday Bassey

Eket (Akwa Ibom), March 26, 2020 (NAN) Mr Frank Archibong, the Chairman, Eket Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom, has donated preventive materials to check spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the area.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items donated are: hand sanitisers, face masks, infrared thermometer, high blood pressure measuring apparatus, test kids, hand bills, among others,

At a meeting with stakeholders, comprising the clergy, paramount rulers, village chiefs, councillors, supervisors, youths and market women on Thursday in Eket, Archibong said that the materials should be distributed to all health centres and public places in the area.

The chairman advised all the stakeholders to take the campaigns to their constituents and assured of government’s support to ensure that the campaign succeeded.

“In compliance with the federal and state governments directives, preventive measures like social distancing, regular hand washing and use of sanitisers should be adopted.

“I urge all stakeholders to commence awareness campaigns and sensitisation on precautionary measures against the pandemic in Eket and its environs.

“These fliers are to be pasted at every nook and cranny of the local government,’’ Archibong said.

He said the governor has instructed local government chairmen to set up task force to monitor their local governments, adding that he would head the taskforce to ensure strict compliance with safety measures.

“I admonish members of the team to report daily to me even if there is no suspected case of COVID-19 at the end of the day,” he said.

Mr Uwem Akpan, the Director of Health, who spoke, thanked the chairman for donating the preventive materials and for his prompt response against the pandemic and appealed to stakeholders to take sensitisation campaigns seriously.

Mr Udeme Pius, the Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, said that the area has not recorded any case of COVID-19.

He urged the people to comply with all safety measures and  thanked the chairman for keying into the drive of Gov. Udom Emmanuel. (NAN)

SDB/OIF/OU

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Obike Ukoh

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Health

Nigeria Correctional Service takes measures against Coronavirus

Nigeria Correctional Service takes measures against Coronavirus

Coronavirus
By Sunday Bassey
Eket (Akwa Ibom), March 24, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), in Akwa Ibom said it had taken measures to check the outbreak and spread of the Coronavirus across centres in the state.
Mr Alex Oditah, the Controller of Corrections, Akwa Ibom Command, stated this when he visited Ikot Abasi and Eket Correctional Service Centres on Tuesday.
Oditah said that he came to the centres to sensitised the staff members and inmates to the pandemic.
“We have come to sensitise both the inmates and staff to the need to be conscious of the virus ravaging the world and to keep the environment clean at all times,’’ he said.
He said the Controller-General, Alhaji Ja’Afara Ahmed, had directed that water, soap, sanitisers, and infrared thermometers be made available in all Correctional Service Centres in the state as preventive measures against coronavirus.
Oditah explained that the he had visited Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi and Eket centres in compliance to the directive of the Controller-General.
“I have visited the Correctional Service Centres to ensure that they comply with the directive.’’
Oditah said henceforth, anybody who refused to use hand sensitiser or check his/her temperature would not be allowed access to the facilities.
He said that visitors to inmates and staff members were being restricted in all the Correctional Service Centres across the state.
Also speaking, the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Eket, Mr George Njoku, said that he had complied with the directive of the command.
“The Controller had directed me to put necessary measures in place because he wants to protect the workers and inmates against contracting coronavirus,’’ he said. (NAN)
SDB/JEY/DCU
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Donald Ugwu

Defence/Security

Nigerian Navy seizes 94,800 litres of illegal AGO in Akwa Ibom

By Sunday Bassey

Mbo (Akwa Ibom) March 12, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, has seized 94, 800 litres of illegal Automative Gas Oil (AGO) at Agbani Offshore in Rivers.

 

Captain Peter Yilme, the Commanding Officer of FOB, stated this while handing over the items to Bodinga Bawa, the Assistant Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Mbo, Akwa Ibom on Thursday.

 

“I hand over 316 drums of illegal refined AGO (containing 300 litres each) today to NSCDC,” Yilme said.

 

According to Yilme, the illegal AGO and the wooden boat were seized on March 8, 2020 during routine patrol by FOB Ibaka gunboats and that the product was being conveyed to the Republic of Cameroon.

 

“The seized drums of illegal AGO which contained 300 litres each were apprehended at about 0400 hours during a routine patrol by Navy gunboats.

 

“On sighting the Navy gunboats, the suspects abandoned the medium sized wooden boat used in attempting to convey the product to the Republic of Cameroon,” he said.

 

 

He lamented that the smugglers had continued with the illicit trade in spite of the FOB’s efforts in making daily arrests of suspected rice smugglers in the state.

 

He stated that the base would not relent in its efforts to rid the waterways of all forms of criminal activities in order for legitimate economic activities to strive.

 

Yilme warned those involved in the illicit trade to repent and embrace legitimate businesses else they would face the wrath of the law.

 

“I strongly warn and advise those into illicit trade to turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate business activities,” he stated.

 

He commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, for providing the necessary logistics to the base which had enabled in making numerous arrests and seizure of smuggled goods.

 

He noted that without the support of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral David Adeniran, the base would not be able to achieve its operational mandate.

 

“The unrelenting drive by smugglers in continuing their illicit acts persists though the FOB Ibaka continues to make arrests almost on daily basis,” he said.

 

Responding, Bawa thanked the FOB for being in the fore front of ensuring the border closure ordered by the Federal Government was maintained within its area of operations.

 

He urged them to ensure that no goods were smuggled out or and into the country.

 

He added that the necessary court processes would be duly followed and the outcome relayed back to the FOB. (NAN)

SDB /VIV/EAL

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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Ekemini Ladejobi

Politics

Akwa Ibom PDP to hold congresses, promises transparency

Akwa Ibom PDP to hold congresses, promises transparency

Congress

By Sunday Bassey

Uyo, March 5, 2020 (NAN) Obong Paul Ekpo, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Akwa Ibom, says the party will commence the process of electing new leadership on March 7.

Ekpo, who stated this at a news conference in Uyo on Thursday, said that the party would ensure utmost transparency, fairness and equity in the process.

“The ship of our party which set sail four years ago is nearing the harbour to berth, as it is customary, congresses must commence, he said.

He said: “The process will begin with elections into the ward executives, we shall then hold elections into local government areas and later the state executive.’’

The PDP executive further stated that the elections would be conducted in accordance with approved amendments to the party’s constitution.

According to him, six executive positions will be reserved for women at both the ward and the local government levels.

“At the state level, 13 out of the 39 executive positions will be reserved for women, while three out of the 10 positions at the zonal level will also be reserved for women,” he said.

Ekpo said that the party’s desire was to get more women involved in the party’s leadership, adding; “I implore all stakeholders to abide by the stipulated guidelines”

He said that the party had already appointed local government and state coordinating committees for the election. (NAN)

SDB/AZU/

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Edited by Azubuike Okeh/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Defence/Security

Smuggling: Navy arrest 10 suspects in A’Ibom

Seizure
Sunday Bassey 08029492002

Mbo (Akwa Ibom) March 2, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, has arrested 10 suspects for allegedly  smuggling 956 bags of banned 50kg rice in the state.

The Commanding Officer, Capt. Peter Yilme made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Mbo, Akwa Ibom on Monday.
He said that the 10 suspects were arrested in three different operations by Navy patrol gunboats in February.
According to him, “165 bags of rice and suspects were apprehended on Ikang water ways;  707 bags of rice and suspects were seized offshore Agbani, while  84 bags of rice and suspects were arrested along the Unyenge creek,” he said.
Yilme warned the smugglers against the illegal trade, saying the Navy would not rest on its oars until the trade and its sponsors were crippled.
He said as long as the smugglers refused  to quit the illegal activities on the waterways, the base would continually be on their tails to foil their illicit businesses.
Yilme, who was represented by the Base Operation’s Officer, Lt. Cdr. Kabiru Yusuf, handed over the suspects and items to Superintendent Dauda Abubakar of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for further action. (NAN)
SDB / KOO/IU
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Isaac Ukpoju