Introduction
The retreat which held from April 29- 30, 2024 was presided by His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, with Her Excellency the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Head of the Civil Service, Honourable Commissioners and Special Adviser, invited Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, and resource person- Ambassador Assam Assam (SAN), in attendance.
The Governor intimated that the essence of the review was twofold, first as a stock taking process for the past 11 months of the administration and second, as agenda setting strategy for the next phase of the administration.
Review and resolutions
All ministries and some critical agencies presented their scorecard, highlighting their achievements and challenges.
Road Infrastructure
HC-Works reported that road construction is ongoing in all local government areas of the state, except Ibeno, which the FGPC has recommended two internal roads. The Council ratified the recommendation of the FGPC and directed the immediate award and subsequent commencement of the construction.
Education
HC-Education informed of their preparedness to formally open Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center(DASAC) on the 20th of May, 2024. They promised to ensure that the school is administered sustainably.
She also informed the council that the CKS Model School at Wellington Bassey Way was ready for inauguration and that the pupils will receive two pairs of uniforms, shoes, school bags and note books, all of which have been provided by the State Government .
While presenting a brief on AKSU, the lack of residential accommodation for students was highlighted and the Council directed that a 400-bed hostel facility be constructed at the institution.
Agriculture
HC-Agriculture and Rural Development reviewed the agricultural plans of the administration and matched them with the deliverables so far, informing that the administration was on track with its food availability and sustainability plan. She specifically highlighted the strategy of giving inputs to farmers through cooperative groups and not individual farmers, for greater transparency and effectiveness. She presented the plan for the optimization of the St. Gabriel Coconut oil factory, which was slated for further deliberation.
Council directed that HC-Agriculture and HC-Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs should immediately commence the visitation to and support for, Local Government Farms.
Local Government Administration
HC- Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs informed the council that through the Governor’s intervention, most outstanding financial matters affecting the Local Government staff and pensioners had either been completely sorted or are being currently handled. The Council charged him to ensure that the Council Chairmen are responsive to the needs of their people. He also informed the Council that the construction of the official residence for Chairmen in all Local Government Areas will soon commence, immediately after the flag off by the Governor.
Human Capital Development
After the presentation on the activities of the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme coordinated by Ibom LED, council approved the disbursement the grant of N400,000,000(Four Hundred Million Naira) to the 800 trained beneficiaries.
The Head of the Civil Service was mandated to liaise with the Administrative Staff College(ASCON) to organize trainings for all Permanent Secretaries and other cadres of Civil Servants to equip them with the adequate skills-set required for the execution of the ARISE Agenda
State Investments
After a presentation by the Managing Director of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation on the state of government’s investments, the Council reiterated its earlier directive that all state-owned enterprises should immediately report to AKICORP, for the effective management of their investments.
Flood Update
Her Excellency the Deputy Governor, who is the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency presented her report on the urgent steps to be taken in preparation to mitigate the effect of the impending flood. The Council appreciated the Deputy Governor for being proactive and responsible in handling this emergency issue and pledged their full support to the task of mitigating the harm expected to be caused by the flood.
Conclusion
After exhaustive deliberations, it was observed that when the performance and intentions as expressed in the ARISE Agenda were juxtaposed, there were little or no gaps, indicating the administration’s fidelity to her manifestoes and campaign promises. Also, the humane and people-centric disposition of the Governor was highly commended.
The Council urged all officers responsible for assignments to ensure that they employ diligence, honesty, and patriotism in the discharge of their tasks.
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong
Honourable Commissioner for Information
30042024
