Participants of the first-ever Akwa Ibom State Inter-ministerial briefing, powered by the Honourable Commissioner, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, Ministry of Information and Strategy have urged the government to ensure that the event holds at regular intervals, describing it as another legacy by Udom Emmanuel led administration that should be emulated by subsequent governments.
According to them, regular holding of the event will provide citizens with the opportunity to be abreast with what the government is doing for them. It will also provide an opportunity for the people to be properly informed about the activities of the government, adding that a people not properly informed are not only misinformed but are deformed information wise.
However, they opined that such laudable initiative ought to have started right from the very first year of the administration as doing so would have put paid to the activities of the fifth columnists whose only duty is to go about peddling unnecessary rumours that His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel is not doing anything due to sheer ignorance and misinformation.
The paramount ruler of Ukanafun local government, HRM, Akuku Engr. Amos D. Akpan made the observation on the day two of the inter ministerial briefing in a vote of thanks on behalf of the traditional Fathers at the close of the day’s business which featured briefing by the commissioners for health, economic development and special duties & Ibom deep sea port.
“The inter ministerial briefing by the government is a welcome development. It should have been done on periodic basis right from the inception of the administration. Doing it now a few days to the election gives it a political colouration, making it look as if it is a political gimmick”, he said.
Speaking further, the royal father extolled the state governor for caring for them through provision of jeep cars to ease their transportation and timely payment of monthly stipends and appealed for more consideration in area of appointment of more traditional rulers into employable offices. And most importantly for the peace that has prevailed in the state since he assumed office till now.
The commissioner for health, Prof. Augustine Umoh announced that with approval of Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointment of Dr. Igbeme A. Igbeme as the executive secretary of the state primary healthcare agency, Akwa Ibom people will henceforth have unhindered access to primary healthcare delivery.
His counterparts of economic development and special duties & Ibom deep seaport, Mr. Bassey Okon and Enem Bob respectively gave good accounts of their stewardship as Enem Bob specifically refuted report by NBS stating that Akwa Ibom State has 51% unemployment rate, saying that the survey was not properly conducted.
Wrapping up the event, the coordinator, Comrade Ememobong stated that the inter ministerial briefing will resume after the Saturday 18 Governorship/ House of Assembly elections.
