Gov Eno Births State Security Command, Control Centre

… No Hiding Place For Criminals In A’Ibom
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The reclaimed gully erosion site around the precinct of Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo, will accommodate the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) and the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation(AKICORP) Houses, the Command and Control Centre, as well as head office of the Akwa Ibom Geographical Information Systems(AkwaGIS)Agency.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who stated this, Saturday, during the foundation laying ceremony for a hi tech Command and Control Centre for the networking of operations among security stakeholders in the State, said aside the world-class recreational facility with a 9-hole golf course and children’s playground derived from the previously life threatening, severely eroded and abandoned gully erosion area, the ARISE Park, will accommodate the above mentioned four key projects.
Eno said the Command and Control Centre will serve as a one-stopshop for intelligence gathering by the various security agencies operating in the state and ensure realtime response against security infractions, as his administration is committed to perpetuating peace and security in the State.
He lauded the security agencies for working hard to ensure maintenance of the State’s status as one of the most peaceful and safest States in the country, adding that the Command and Control Centre will mark another bold step by his administration to making the State unwelcoming and uncomfortable for criminal elements and their cohorts.
“We are gathered here this afternoon to further on our status as one of the safest, secured and peaceful States in the nation with the ground breaking for the construction of our Security Command and Control Centre.
“Centres like this are necessary additions in the security toolbox in most developed and developing societies, and we are proud to follow that great lead. This Centre will help make our State uncomfortable and unwelcoming for criminal elements and their cohorts. It will further provide a one-stopshop for information sharing and awareness on infractions and real time response on security issues.
“We have about three months time to flag off Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Studio that will be constructed here. We will come back to flag off the Akwa Ibom Investment Cooperation Office. We will come back to flag off Akwa Ibom Geographical information System Head Office. So there are about four facilities that will be on this stretch, and it is part of our commitment to ensure that we flag off 31 projects between now and May 29th. They are key projects that we will all be part of”.
The governor assured that his administration will continue to be intentional about security and welfare of the people in line with his primary mandate, to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens, even as he is committed to ensuring adequate and timely funding of the project.
He charged the contractor to ensure due diligence to deliver the project within the four month timeline.
Eno lauded the former commissioners of Police in the State, CP Waheed Ayilara, and the immediate past commissioner for Internal Security, General Koko Essien (rtd), for their involvement in birthing the vision and working on the fundamentals for its implementation.
Giving an overview of the project, the honorary special adviser to the Governor on Security, DIG Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi (rtd), said the centre will be equipped with cross cutting modern technological equipment, and that it is a major addition to the security architecture of the State, as it will serve as the nerve center of all security services with potentials to monitor and coordinate events across the entire State.
The commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State command, CP Baba Azare, appreciated the governor for the one of its kind initiative that will enable them discharge their duties easily and effectively.
The chairman of Uyo Local Government Council and state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, lauded Governor Eno for his various security initiatives to keep Akwa Ibom safe for business, conveying the commitment of all council chairmen to ensure monthly support for the security trust fund initiative as well as the synergy with the Centre.
The paramount ruler of Uyo, HRM, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, appreciated Governor Eno for the peace and safety witnessed in the State and prayed for God’s blessings upon him, while assuring him of continued support of the people to his administration.