OPENING
The meeting commenced at midday, with His Excellency the Governor presiding as Chairman, with HE the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Commissioners, and Special Adviser in attendance.
The Governor charged all the Executive Council members to ensure that all the projects and programmes under their supervision are people-centric from ideation to execution. He advised that project monitoring should be ramped up to ensure quick completion.
Business of the day
1. Ministerial review of Projects and Programmes
Heads of MDAs were invited to make presentations on the state of projects and programmes within their jurisdiction.
1.1 Agriculture and Rural Development
The Honourable Commissioner presented the status update on the Food sufficiency and security plan of the administration, informing that enhanced cassava cuttings are to be deployed to significantly increase the output of cassava. She also highlighted the strategy for increased coca and rice production. She informed that the Ibom Model Farm is on course with the land preparation activities.
1.2 Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation
The Managing Director informed the Council of the investment proposals which the Corporation, some have been given the green light and are in different stages of activation. Some of the proposals are Ibom Towers, FalconNext, Landmark Beach Resort, etc. he further briefed the council that harvesting is on course, while milling will soon commence at the Dakkada Global Oil Palms Ltd. Council was apprised of the progress at Ibom LED, where 800 people have been trained and N400m has been approved to fund the grant of N500,000 to each of the participants, which will soon be done.
1.3 Ministry of Works and Fire Service
HC informed that over N112 billion has been disbursed by the current administration for road infrastructure since May 2023. He presented a breakdown that 39 new road projects have been undertaken with N78.77 billion released to fund them, while old projects have been funded to the tune of over N30 Billion, with an additional N12 Billion recently released by the Governor.
1.4 Ministry of Culture and Tourism
HC presented the tourism blueprint specifically providing hints on the proposed development of Tourism hubs at Ikot Abasi, Itu, and Oron to encapsulate the already existing tourist sites in those places.
1.5 Direct Labour Agency
The Director of Operations presented a status update on the projects under their supervision. Some of the projects include:
• 1 Project /Local Government Area(out of which 2 have been completed, 19 are ongoing, while the remaining will commence soonest)
• ARISE Compassionate Homes(of the 100 for this year, 31 will be completed and presented soon)
2. Approval for the increment of pension for pensioners who retired before 2012, effective April 2024.
3. The Director of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Department of the Ministry of Justice presented a report indicating that between 2021till date, 1349 cases had been prosecuted, with many convictions secured. The Governor assured the committee of the administration’s support and charged them to do more in the extermination of the anomaly.
4. The ministerial reports and review to continue at the next meeting.
Major Highlights
√Governor admonishes Exco members to ensure projects & programmes under their supervision are people-centric from ideation to execution
√Review of Projects & Programmes by Heads of MDAs
√Status update on Food sufficiency, increased cocoa, rice production & Ibom Model Farm, by HC for Agriculture & Rural Development
√Presentation of proposal by MD, AKICORP on Ibom Towers, FalconNext, Landmark Beach Resort, & Dakkada Global Oil Palms Ltd
√Approval of #400m for disbursement of #500,000 each to 800 IBOM-LED trainees
√Briefing by HC Works & Fire Service on N112 billion disbursed by the Governor for road infrastructure since May 2023, with 39 new road projects receiving N78.77 billion & N30 Billion for old projects, with additional release of N12 Billion
√Presentation by HC Culture & Tourism on tourism blueprint for proposed development of Tourism hubs at Ikot Abasi, Itu, and Oron
√Status update on projects by Direct Labour Agency relating to 1 Project /Local Government Area, & ARISE Compassionate Homes
√Approval for increment of pension for pensioners who retired before 2012, effective April 2024.
√Presentation of report by Director Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Department, Ministry of Justice
The meeting ended at 6:36 pm.
Photos:
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong
Honourable Commissioner for Information
10042024
