Akpabio directs joint Naval/Police to patrol Oron Waterways

Source: pointblanknews.com

Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio has directed a joint Naval/Police team armed with gunboats to patrol Oron Waterways leading to Cameroun to check constant harassment of Nigerian fishermen and other sea farers.

Chief Akpabio who gave the directive Thursday when members of Oron Seamen Transport Association paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo said soldier would also join the team to stem harassment and killing of Akwa Ibom fishermen in the high seas. 

 The Governor stated that the international treaty was meant for protection of life and property of people and expressed displeasure at the rate of rape of women by some repentant militants and sea pirates.

He pledged to report the matter to Mr. President for necessary action and noted that Mr. President has approved the establishment of a Naval Base in Ikot Abasi, bemoaning illegal oil bunkering in the area by some unsuspecting persons.

The President of the Association, Mr. Etim Abang narrated the difficulty facing people travelling from Akwa Ibom to Cameroun by sea since 2008 especially as militants seized boats and goods from their wives.

Mr. Abang recalled that the three gunboats commissioned by the state Government meant for their protection were seized by some unknown persons near the Maritime Office, Oron in full glare of security men and called on the Governor to intervene by curbing the harassment to enable them to return to business.

In another development, Governor Akpabio has advised Akwa Ibom students studying in tertiary institutions to shun violence, thuggery, kidnapping and cultism.

Akpabio gave the advice Thursday when students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osorua, Uyo City Polytechnic and College of Education, Afaha Nsit paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Uyo said these vices help to retard progress and development of the society.

The Governor who hinted that his administration will organise a seminar for politically elected persons to denounce cultism before they are sworn into office rather enjoined them to take their study seriously and shun blackmail by political opposition.  

 
He described as an insult on the Office of the Governor allegations by the opposition that he was responsible for the kidnap of a teacher to demand for N150 million ransom, saying ''At times, you get so sad with blackmail''.

Akpabio who donated two buses to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic and Uyo City Polytechnic each respectively pledged to dualise Ibaka-Oron Road and Eket-Etinan Road during his second term in the office and make Akwa Ibom an industrial hub to provide employment opportunities for the jobless.

Earlier, the Leader of the team, Comrade Sampson Akpan had described Governor Akpabio as a man of uncommon destiny who took over the mantle of leadership to intervene in the affairs of the people with total commitment, generosity, passion, and single-minded aspiration to offset its socio-economic and political imbalance.

Comrade Akpan listed the development projects executed by Akpabio administration, and pledged their readiness to vote for him and President Jonathan during the April general elections to continue in their good works to the masses.