Encomiums as Mkpat Enin TC Declares December tax-free for Traders, Transporters

By Freshgist 

The Transition Committee of 

Mkpat Enin Local government Area has declared December tax-free month for all traders and Transporters.

The Local Government Transition Committee has also dissolved all standing committees in the Council Area

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Transition Committee, Pastor Afia Amos and made available to newsmen yesterday, stated that the gesture was in furtherance of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno’s commitment to cushion the effect of oil subsidy removal on businesses in Akwa Ibom. 

 “To this end, the Chairman has ordered a temporary suspension of tax and revenue collection in all the markets and parks within the Local Government till further notice. 

“This directive, which takes effect today, has been communicated to all clan heads, village heads, community leaders and other authorised channels of information dissemination in the Local Government for wide publicity to ensure strict compliance”, Pastor Amos added in the release.

Amos disclosed that the dissolution of the standing committees was to enable a proper constitution of new committees in the Local Government Council. 

He noted that the Chairman of the Local Government Transition Committee, Hon Mercy Bassey has directed members of the dissolved committees who are in custody of anything belonging to the Council to kindly hand-over same to the Revenue Cashier. 

“The Chairman deeply appreciates members of the committees for their services to the Local Government and wishes them well in their future endeavours”, Pastor Amos added.

Recall, Hon Mercy Bassey had assured that her plans for the local government are in tandem with the ARISE Agenda of the state governor in a recent interview.

A'Ibom Gov. Swears in Mercy Bassey, 30 others, asTransition Chairmen, tasked on transparency and accountability

 

Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno, congratulating Hon. Mercy Bassey as the Transition chairman of Mkpat Enin LGA..

By Freshgist 

The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has sworn in Hon. Mercy Bassey and 30 others as transition Chairmen to pilot the affairs of the Local Government Councils for the next six months.

The ceremony took place at the banquet hall of the Government House, Uyo recently, had stakeholders from the 31 local government areas and other government dignitaries in attendants.

After administering the oath of office to the new council chairmen, Governor Eno urged them to execute at least one life-touching project for the benefit of the people and also reside in their various domains to remain accessible to the people.

According to the Governor, “As you all know, by virtue of Section 5 (1) of the Local Government (Administration) Law, 2017, the term of the Local Council Chairmen expired at twelve midnight yesterday and therefore, stands dissolved.

“There can’t be a vacuum in governance at any level, and the House, relying on Section 5 (2) of the same Local Government (Administrative) Law, 2017, passed a resolution authorizing the setting up of the Transition Council we have just sworn in for six months.

“We thank the Speaker and the House for this great collaboration and for selflessly doing the work for which we were roundly and overwhelmingly voted into office to execute.”

 “I expect you to partner with us. You must, in the course of your stay in office, execute at least one laudable project that will touch and impact the lives of the people of your respective council areas.

“My Monitoring and Evaluation Team will be on ground to ensure that this is done. We are determined and dedicated to ensuring that we bring development to our people, especially in the rural areas, in line with the Arise Agenda. You are the Chief Security Officer in your respective Councils, you must ensure that you maintain peace and create harmonious relationships with your people.

“Let me state very clearly that you must reside in your respective Local Government Areas. You cannot administer your councils from another location. According to Section 78 of Akwa Local Government (Administration) Law 2017, ‘The principal Officers of the Local Government shall reside in their respective Local Government Councils. A contravention of this section shall be deemed to be a misconduct and as such an indictable offence.’ The definition of the Principal Officers is further explained in Section 83 of the same law. I encourage you all to get familiar with these sections.”

The Governor announced that efforts are in top gear to put together an election for the local government council within six months, saying, “Let me state here that we have made provisions in the 2024 Budget for the conduct of local government election after the expiration of the current transition period.

“The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) has already commenced the process that would lead to the announcement of the date for election of new Chairmen of Local Government Councils.”

He told some of the returning Council Chairmen that their reapportionment is an affirmation and testament to their good work in the last three years and urged them to do more during the transition period.

The Governor added: ”I have led a government where people are carried along, where we feel the pulse of the people. Today, a mere seven months down the road, we have appointed personal assistants in all the wards, and we have equally appointed several aides and Honorary Special Advisers. More will come.”

Ibom Air: Mercy Bassey lauds Gov Eno on new Airbus

 

By Freshgist 

The Transition Committee Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Hon. Lady Mercy Bassey has hailed the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno on the arrival of the new Airbus A-220 for the state-owned airline, Ibom Air.

Recall, that Bassey, who is the immediate past vice chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, was recently sworn-in as the Transition Committee Chairman by the Governor.

Lady Bassey, who was among the dignitaries at the grand reception of the new aircraft at the Victor Attah International Airport recently was filled with encomium to the state governor for not only sustaining the vision of the past administration in the aviation sector but even expanding it.

According to her, "This is a major milestone for the state and the country at large because anywhere in the world that Ibom Air is being talked about, they will mention Akwa Ibom and Nigeria", she said during a chat with newsmen. 

"Our dear governor, Pastor Umo Eno has once again placed Akwa Ibom on the global map with this new aircraft. I want to thank him for not only sustaining the vision of the previous administrations but expanding it.

"We all know that Ibom Air is now the most preferred airline for travelers in the country and of course this comes with increased demand for services. So it was necessary to expand the airline by adding more aircraft in order to meet the demands. 

"The governor is committed to fulfilling the promises he made to Akwa Ibom people. That is why he is working tirelessly to bring all of his plans to reality through the ARISE Agenda, and it is our responsibility as citizens to support him", she added.