Akwa Ibom Communities Want Govt To Address Fiscal Injustice
A cluster of Oron communities in Akwa Ibom State have urged the government, at all levels, to make available to them hard copies of yearly budget estimates so as to monitor the execution of projects in their areas, as well as to be able to contribute to subsequent budget estimates.
Specifically, the communities asked the government to use the country’s budget to address fiscal injustices and infrastructural disequilibrium “in our communities as well as integrate the communities into the budget processes for grassroots development”
They are also asking for quick action on the proposed deep-sea port at Ibaka, saying it would help in the development of the communities
The communities made the request at an interactive meeting organized by the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG), said their demand to be the outcome of town hall meetings held in different villages, with the support of Oxfam
The meetings, they said, were held in Oron,Eket,Ikot Ekpene and Uyo on behalf of Okpobo, Mbo, Urue\Offong\Oruko, Udong Uko and parts of Uruan communities of the state , adding that the meetings were attended by Town Unions, Clergy Men, Youth Groups, Market Women Associations, Students, Women Groups and Community Based Organisations, that have been itching to be included in the budgetary process, from conceptualization to implementation.
“We demand that, henceforth, that Local, State and and Federal Government budgets should be accessible and available to all stakeholders in Oron axis. Government at all levels should show political will to develop Oron. Importantly, full and accelerated implementation of the construction of a Deep Seaport at Ibaka within the Oron cluster is of strategic value to our people. This will bring about development in tourism and other sectors. Upgrading of the Maritime Academy, Oron, to a Maritime University for educational advancement of the Oron people should not also be downplayed by the government. Furthermore, we demand the completion of Oron – Calabar section of the East-West Road project, including the dualisation of the Oron- Uyo Highway” the communities demanded.
They also asked the government to control the menace of erosion in Oron nation, restoration of Oron- Calabar Ferry services, construction of Beach Embankment at Efiat and to put an end to the high level of insecurity around Oron, particularly sea piracy.
The communities observed that many projects in Eket cluster listed in the Federal, State and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budgets in 2013 were not executed, hence the demand for participation in the budget implementation.
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1 Comments
Leadership is turn by turn, Udom Emmanuel the governor elect is from Eket senatorial District. this is the main road leading to his village , it is incumbent on him to tar this road and bring development to this Senatorial District. Akpabio did not abandon the district he did his best for the state, Akpabio built 1900 km of roads in 8 yrs that a record in Nigeria by any state government. The truth is there was no major road that was functional in the state as at 2007 when Akpabio came on board, But in truth the Even Akpabio worst critic will attest to the excellent road network in Akwa Ibom,But despite all the roads he did there are still a lot of roads left undone, So At a certain point he had to prioritise. on the ones that were more urgent. To be truthful this Eket roads was the only major road in Akwa Ibom As at when Akpabio came into power that was in a fair condition, so it would have been wrong to start with the road while neglecting the worse one in uyo, itu, ikot ekpene etc. But as time went on depreciation caught up with the Eket – uyo Road and + the fact that all Akpabio had dualized all major roads leading to Uyo so that made it imperative that the This road should also be dualized to meet the Akpabio Standards, Which in truth He started the road with the intention of completing it Until the price of crude oil fell from $120 per barrel to $40 per barrel, which is the part the author of this piece failed to mention.
Now its Eket turn so Udom over to you from may 29th and i hope you complete this road first.
We will review and take appropriate action.