Primary and secondary schools both public and private in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria are directed to reopen for classes on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Announcing this after the last State Executive Council’s meeting on Wednesday, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said this was to make up for the inconclusive.
Ememobong directed all the school heads to ensure their wards comply with the laid-down COVID-19 protocols.
According to him, “Council received the report of the state of schools in preparation for resumption from the short Christmas break, in line with the current spike of COVID-19 .
“Honourable Commissioner for Education briefed council that the schools in the state were still running their 1st term which is due to end on January 23, 2021.
“Council decided that in view of the existing resumption plan, the resumption date for schools will remain 4th January, 2021 in order not to disrupt the academic calendar.
“The Council directed the Commissioner for Education to ensure that all COVID-19 preventive guidelines are adhered to by all the schools.
“Council also received a report from the ad hoc committee on Schools resumption, headed by HC for Youths and Sports and directed that the construction of fence be immediately commenced in all schools in Uyo metropolis, to help with security of infrastructure in schools.
“Council further directed that water facility be immediately provided for schools with student population of above 1,000.
“Furthermore, Council charged HC-Information & Strategy to liaise with HC-Health to design a more robust Risk Communication and Community Engagement strategy to keep the citizens aware of the damaging effects of the COVID-19 and preventive measures.”
On the Ibom Deep Seaport, Ememobong said “Council received a memorandum on the Ibom Industrial City which demanded the creation of a legal framework to establish the Ibom Industrial City, to help harness the benefits set to accrue from the Deep sea port and the concomitant industrial city.
“The memo specifically sought council’s permission to forward a bill on the subject matter to the House of Assembly for legislative action.
“Council approved the memo and directed that it be forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly. This industrial city is planned to strategically assist the maximization of the benefits of the approved Seaport.”
