EXCERPTS FROM THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT HELD ON WEDNESDAY 30th DECEMBER, 2020 IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE,UYO.
The meeting was called to order by HE the Governor at 11am with the rendering the national and state anthems. The meeting had in attendance HE the Deputy Governor, SSG, Head of the Civil Service, Honourable Commissioners and Special Advisers.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the departed former military Governor of the state, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (Rtd.).
The Governor, sitting as Chairman-in-Council thanked God for preserving the lives of members and prayed for protection in the coming year. He charged members to gear up for a very busy year, as the next year will be critical to the completion agenda of the current administration.
Council received the report of the state of schools in preparation for resumption from the short Christmas break, in line with the current spike of COVID-19 . HC- Education briefed council that the schools in the state were still running their 1st term which is due to end on January 23, 2021. Council decided that in view of the existing resumption plan, the resumption date for schools will remain 4th January, 2020 in order not to disrupt the academic calendar. The Council directed the Commissioner for Education to ensure that all COVID-19 preventive guidelines are adhered to by all the schools. Council also received a report from the ad hoc committee on Schools resumption, headed by HC- Youths and Sports and directed that the construction of fence be immediately commenced in all schools in Uyo metropolis, to help with security of infrastructure in schools. Council further directed that water facility be immediately provided for schools with student population of above 1,000.
Furthermore, Council charged HC-Information & Strategy to liaise with HC-Health to design a more robust Risk Communication and Community Engagement strategy to keep the citizens aware of the damaging effects of the COVID-19 and preventive measures.
Council received a memorandum on the Ibom Industrial City which demanded the creation of a legal framework to establish the Ibom Industrial City, to help harness the benefits set to accrue from the Deep sea port and the concomitant industrial city. The memo specifically sought council’s permission to forward a bill on the subject matter to the House of Assembly for legislative action. Council approved the memo and directed that it be forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly. This industrial city is planned to strategically assist the maximization of the benefits of the approved Seaport.
The memorandum for the approval of site and prerequisite matters for the construction of a mass housing estate in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and Family Homes Funds limited was discussed and council directed the HC-Housing to facilitate the quick commencement of the mass housing scheme.
The meeting ended at 3:20 pm
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong
Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Akwa Ibom State.
