Akan Essang
Stakeholders in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have passed a vote of confidence in the Chairman of Abak Local Government Council, Mrs. Ime Effiong Charles, describing her two years in office as purposeful, people-centred and transformational.
The motion for a Vote of Confidence was moved by former Deputy Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uwem Udoma, and seconded by former House of Assembly Member, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Friday Iwok.
At the meeting held at Abak and tagged: ”Two-Year Purposeful and People-Centred Governance” and convened by the Council Chairman, the Abak Stakeholders under the aegis of All Progressives Congress (APC) appraised her two-year administration and admitted that she has surpassed their expectations, applauding her for bringing stability, transparency and inclusiveness to governance in Abak.
Speaking at the occasion, Akwa Ibom former Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, said the Chairman has done well in terms of administrative coordination and stakeholders’ engagement, adding that she has shown that leadership is all about impact.
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On his part, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, lauded the Chairman for keying into the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, noting that Abak today is witnessing a replication of the state development blueprint at the grassroots.
Also speaking, Hon. Clement Jimbo representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, State Commissioner for Information, commended the Chairman for her synergy with the state and federal governments, which they said has attracted goodwill and development projects to Abak.
The stakeholders also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for granting financial autonomy to Local Government Councils in Nigeria, stressing that the bold reform is enabling council chairmen to leverage on development at the third tier of government and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
They noted that Mrs. Charles is one of the few female council chairmen in Akwa Ibom State, who has redefined governance in Abak with her motherly disposition, accessibility and prudent management of resources. Her style of leadership, they say, has restored public confidence in local government administration.
They added that as Mrs. Ime Charles begins her third year in office, expectations are high among the people, and assured that with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, she was poised to initiate more people-centred projects in line with the ARISE Agenda of the present administration of Governor Umo Eno.
The highpoint of the stakeholders meeting was the unanimous reaffirmation of support for all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections. The stakeholders said their support is anchored on the performance of APC-led administrations at the federal, state and local government levels.
Presenting her scorecard, Hon. Mrs. Charles thanked the people of Abak for their full support and highlighted achievements in the last two years across eight thematic areas, including institutional infrastructure and good governance, rural development, health and environment, human capital development, monthly empowerment of youth, women, elders and down trodden, provision of wrappers to over 300 women, agriculture, social welfare, peace and security.
She noted that her administration has rehabilitated council infrastructure, improved internally generated revenue processes, graded rural roads to open up agrarian communities, renovated primary healthcare centres, empowered hundreds of women and youths with start-up grants and skills, rice/food items to all wards, supported farmers with inputs, and sustained peace across the five clans of Abak.
Listing 17 completed interventions, the Chairman said her government constructed and commissioned a fully equipped Health Centre at Ikot Antuk, Midim Clan, to improve healthcare access at the grassroots, and a modern toilet facility with solar-powered borehole at Abak Main Market to improve sanitation. She also listed the remodelling and furnishing of offices for the Traditional Rulers Council, NULGE, Agriculture and Council Stores.
Others are provision and furnishing of offices for the 12 Councillors and Supervisors, grading of rural feeder roads across all 12 wards in Phases I and II, distribution of educational materials to pupils and students across the five clans, renovation of a classroom block at Comprehensive Secondary School, Midim, and restoration of electricity to Ikot Eshiet community after years of blackout.
In the area of human capital development, the Chairman listed procurement of 300 free JAMB forms with CBT training for Abak youths, sponsorship of 10 youths at Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre at the cost of Ten Million Naira, payment of bursaries to 500 students, research grants to postgraduate students, business support for 314 beneficiaries, engagement of 87 casual workers and monthly remuneration of women engaged in urban road cleaning.
On ongoing projects, she mentioned the construction of a legacy Legislative Chamber, renovation of Abak Polyclinic, Community reconstruction of science laboratory block at Community High School, Afaha Obong, Abak Council perimeter fence, rehabilitation of Ekpat Iduot Village Hall, renovation of Abak Council Hall, construction of Civic and Skills Acquisition Centre with a gallery at Midim, new Abak Market Office, and provision of borehole and overhead tank at the Fire Service Division, Abak.
Mrs. Charles assured that her administration will not rest on its oars. “We are grateful for your support in the last two years. We will continue to deepen development across all villages in Abak and ensure that no community is left behind,” she pledged.
Among the attendees included the former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uwem Udoma; former Member, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Friday Iwok; immediate past Provost, Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos, Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudoh; Akwa Ibom State Commissioner in the South-South Development Commission, Hon. Nkereuwem Ebong; and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company (API-CO), Barr. Patrick Udomfang.
Others were the Chairman’s spouse, a former Permanent Secretary in the Akwa Ibom State Public Service, Elder Effiong Charles; Dr. (Mrs.) Ekemini Umoh; former Council Chairman Rt. Hon. Ekerette inyang, Vice Chairman of Abak, Hon. Dr. Mfon Udoudom; Secretary of the Council, Deacon Gift Umoh; and Leader, Abak 8th Legislative Assembly, Hon. Xavier Timothy, among others.
Many believe that with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, she is poised to initiate more people-centred projects in line with the ARISE Agenda of the present administration of Governor Umo Eno.
