A’Ibom Govt Backs UCCDA On Demolition Of Illegal Buildings

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has given full backing to the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, UCCDA, to demolish any illegal building obstructing free flow of rain water on the natural waterways.
   The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, gave the backing, Saturday, during the June edition of the Government House monthly prayers, which took place at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, where he addressed some salient issues affecting the people.
Eno recalled that Akwa Ibom has been marked as one of the flood prone states in the 2024 predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, hence the need for proactive measures to avert any flooding disaster.
  The governor stressed that rather than allow a few buildings to cause flooding that could submerge an entire community or area, government will not hesitate to pull down structures built illegally on waterways.
  He directed the leadership of UCCDA to proceed with the demolition of such buildings in the state capital to avoid any flooding incident in the state.
  Also, the governor appealed to stakeholders to show leadership and be more interested in development plans in their various areas, as the One-Project-Per-Local Government Area initiative of his administration enters the second phase across the 31 local government areas of the State.
  Eno maintained that while government is committed to doing more in the state, stakeholders cannot stand aloof, showing little or no concern to issues of development, charging them to be more involved, particularly, in ensuring that the projects are executed for the general interest of the people.
  According to him, the idea behind the One-Project-Per-Local Government Area was to create jobs and empower the youth, expressing hope that the few youths saddled with the contracts will do well to engage other youths in the course of executing the projects, thereby expanding the scope of youth development and empowerment in the State.
   Eno, while commenting on the theme of the month’s prayer service, “From glory to glory”, drawn from 2 Corinthians 3:18, noted that despite the enormous challenges, more work still needed to be done if the state must move to another level of glory after the first anniversary celebrations.
  He celebrated fathers ahead of the Fathers’ Day celebration which came up yesterday, Sunday, June 16, 2024, the world over, for providing leadership, first in the families, and by extension, providing stability in the larger society, praying for more grace upon fathers in carrying out their unique roles.
  The service had the Chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church, Reverend Ekpedeme Efanga, ministering on the theme for the month, “From glory to glory,” while intercessory prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in the state, were offered to God.