A’Ibom Govt Alerts SEMA Over Flood Menace

By Usiere Akpan 

UYO

The Akwa Ibom government has tasked the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to be on red alert over perennial flood challenges facing neighbouring states in the South South region. 

 Gov Udom Emmanuel gave the task during the State Executive Council meeting which took place at Government House, Uyo, Tuesday. 

 The governor remarked that the management capacity of the state has been duly assessed and the relevant agencies involved in emergency management have been alerted, adding that it was expedient on the respective agencies to undertake appropriate sensitisation of communities in the riverine zones of the state.

 He said that from the analysis of the global economic trends and the implication on the local economy, his administration was committed to work faster to achieve value for money, maintaining that the value of money was eroding at an unprecedented speed that does not need delay in the execution of projects to the detriment of the state.

 Emmanuel, who spoke through the commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said that the state executive council has approved the construction of a 12 MW power substation at Etim Ekpo axis of the state, explaining that the substation would on completion provide electricity power to Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Ika and the neighbouring local government areas.

 The state executive officer remarked that he received a report on the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at Ikot Ekpene from the Ministry of Special Duties, explaining that the report show that the hotel, previously at 68 percent completion level in 2015, has been fully completed and handed over to provide a test run of service with 146 rooms for commercial use.

 The governor stated that the State Executive Council has directed all ministries to wrap up projects and prepare for inauguration, adding that the meeting afforded all ministries to undertake status update of projects under their portfolios.

The meeting had in attendance the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, the secretary to the state government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the head of the civil service, Elder Effiong Essien, commissioners and special adviser.