ALUKO lauds Governor Emmanuel, Catholic community for catering for displaced persons in Essien Udim
The Chairman, Essien Udim Local Government Council, Mr Anthony Luke, has expressed gratitude to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel and wife, Martha for their prompt intervention to bring succour to displaced persons occasioned by the recent crisis in the area.
Luke gave the appreciation while taking delivery of relief materials for the displaced persons, including those delivered by the state government delegation at St Anne Catholic Catheral, Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene on Saturday, 10th April 2021.
The Chairman, who also thanked the Catholic Community, especially the Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Catholic Diocese, Dr Camillus R. Umoh for accommodating and catering for the internally displaced persons at St Anne Catholic Cathedral, Ikot Ekpene, asked God to bless the Church and also keep her together to continue to do His will on earth
The Council boss was equally grateful to the Member, representing Essien Udim, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Mr Nsikak Ekong; State House Member, representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Barr Esse G. Umoh; the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barr Prince Ukpong U. Akpabio; member, Law Reform Commission, Barr Imo-owo Okpokpo and other spirited individuals and organizations for their love, concern and kind gestures to the displaced persons by donating food items and other relief materials to ameliorate their sufferings.
The Chairman assured the donors that the materials will be be shared to the affected persons accordingly without discrimination and prejudice while urging the displaced persons to remain calm and law abiding as government is doing everything possible to ensure they return home soon.
In his remarks the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo who described the situation as pathetic and unfortunate said the crisis would have been averted if members of the community had reported activities of the hoodlums who hid in their village to commit attrocities to security agencies for quick action.
The deputy governor charged the people to learn their lessons from this incidence by being vigilant at all times and pay attention to what is happening in their environment and also report to security agencies activities of unscrupulous elements in their midst before their evil plans are hatched to avoid reoccurrence of such crisis.
“If the community had reported these criminals to government in time this would have been avoided,” he posited.
Mr Ekpo who was represented by the Permenant Secretary, office of the deputy governor, Mr Nkupuruk Ekaiko presented some mattrasses, blankets and cash on behalf of the State Government to the three most affected communities which comprise Atan Ikot Akpan, Uwa and Ikot Afangna villages.
He also hinted that the state government will soon set a committee to access the damages in order to provide succour to those whose property where affected.
He commended the Catholic Church for demonstrating Christ-like actions and called on other religious organisations in the state to emulate them just as he also lauded the Executive Chairman of Essien Udim, Mr Anthony Luke for standing by his people to ensure that they are well taken care of in their present predicament, stressing that he has demonstrated a true servant leadership qualities.
The Member representing Essien Udim in the State House of Assembly, Barr Esse G. Umoh who sympathised with the people noted that government has to do what they did in order to flush out the hoodlums and also restore peace and sanity to the community.
Umoh while donating some bags of garri, beans, rice and some cartons of noodles assured them of his conitnuous support and encouragement to cushion the effect of their suffering.
Responding on behalf of the women, the leader, Essien Udim Legislative Council, Mrs Mary R. Charles thanked the state government and other donors for coming to their aids while promising to ensure judicious use of the items donated.
Also the political leader of Ukana Uwa West Ward 1 and former two times Chairman, Essien Udim Transition Committee, Mr John U. Ekanem prayed God to bless the donors and commended the federal and state house members, Mr Nsikak Ekong and Barr. Esse G. Umoh respectively for the gestures which according to him is evidence of effective representation.
He stressed that they have not disappointed the people who gave them the mandate to represent them at various positions and noted that they should always count on Ukana Uwa people whenever they need their support.
Also present at the camp were the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barr Ukpong Akpabio; the State PDP Ex-offiocio member, Obonganwan Mfon Udoima; Essien Udim PDP Chapter Chairman, Mr Cyril Udoh; Secretary of Council, Mr Nyom Ataha; the Deputy Leader and the House Leader Legislative Council, Hon Policarp Umoh and Bassey Eteyitt.
Others were Councillors representing Ikpe and Ekpenyong Wards among other stakeholders of the local government.
It could be recalled that about three communities were seriously affected by the Essien Udim crisis recently including Ntak Ikot Akpan which is the centre of the crisis while 9 other communities were partially affected.
