Akwa Ibom Rising Debt Profile: NUJ tasks House of Assembly on restraint in approving further loan for Executive.
…Scores Amos Etuk’s admin high on members welfare
Worried by the rising debt profile of Akwa Ibom State, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council has urged the State House of Assembly to exercise restraint in approving further loans requests from the executive arm of government and be guided by the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
The position was contained in the Communique issued at the end of the monthly congress of the union and signed by the State Chairman and Secretary of the Council, Comrade Amos Etuk and Comrade Dominic Akpan
Others who also endorsed the Communique were the Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Edem Okon, Secretary, Comrade Emem Nkereuwem and Comrade Idris Mabadeje, member.
The Union commended the State Government for being adjudged the best State in the South-South Zone and the fifth in Nigeria on Budget transparency Index, by Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre, CIRDDOC an international non-governmental organisation.
The Congress scored the Amos Etuk’s led State Executive Council high for prioritizing members welfare in his administration and also expressed gratitude to the Chairman for what they described as “innovative efforts” and for encouraging savings habit through the introduction of Cooperative Society for the Union.
The Communique reads in parts:
“The Congress was graced by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, and a distinguished son of Akwa Ibom, Advisor, Inoyo Toro Foundation and former Vice – Chairman, EXXONMOBIL, Mr. Udom Inoyo.
“The Congress lauded the Honourable Commissioner for always identifying with the Union and its activities, reasoning that his supportive disposition has deepened the relationship between the Union and the State Government.
“The Congress also commended the Special Guest, Mr. Udom Inoyo, for donating five laptop computers to the Union and for instituting an annual award for investigative journalism named after Mr. Ray Ekpu, with N500,000 for the the winner. The assurances of collaboration in the area of training of members were also appreciated.
“The Congress further applauded the State Council for inaugurating the leadership of the new Chapel – Unity Chapel.
“The Congress joined Akwa Ibom people in condoling the State Government, NYSC and families of the deceased and injured prospective corps members involved in a fatal car crash on their way to Katsina State NYSC camp. The Union, therefore, called on the travelling public to patronise only reliable and registered transport companies.
“The Congress lauded the State Government for being adjudged the best State in the South-South Zone and the fifth in Nigeria on Budget transparency Index, by Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre, CIRDDOC an international non-governmental organisation.
“The Congress lamented the ecological threats faced in many parts of the state, including Ikpa Road, IBB Way due to erosion and called for a quick and more coordinated action at arresting this disaster.
“Furthermore, Congress expressed concern over the poor state of libraries in public schools and called for the stocking of these libraries with recommended books and other reference materials to encourage reading culture among the students.
“The Congress condemned the new wave of insecurity in the state and called on security agencies to up their strategies and logistics.
“The Congress commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel for his support to Akwa United Football Club, which is on the verge of winning the national league for the first time.
“Similarly, Congress commended the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Monday Uko, Chairman, Akwa United Football Club and SSA to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey,a seasoned journalist, players and officials of Akwa United Football Club for their inputs, which have made the successes the team has recorded in the Nigeria Professional Football League campaign this season possible.
“The Congress also commended the State Governor for the completion and inauguration of the Ikot Oku Ikono flyover, noting that this will reduce incessant accidents at the inter- section and the sufferings of travellers.”
