The member representing Oron/Udung Uko state Constituency in Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly, Mrs Kenim Onofiok has called for urgent intervention on Bassey Oneiebuk street in oron Local Government area.
The lawmaker in a motion titled ” URGENT INTERVENTION TO SAVE THE Lives Of
INHABITANTS OF BASSEY ONEIEBUK STREET OFF COLLEGE ROAD AND ENVIRONS IN ORON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA , noted that Some years ago, the contract for the construction of the road was awarded to WE Construction .
Mrs Onofiok who added that the job commenced but was abandoned half way, said the channelization of erosion was let to another company which did started and left also.
The Oron lawmaker explained that the Company neglected to demolish buildings to create major flow channels for the-heavy flow of water after heavy rains thereby endangering lives of the inhabitants of the area .
That act she said has made Many families desert and abandoned their homes for safety elsewhere while some are Internally displaced by flood which destroyed properties Worth millions of naira in the area.
Mrs Onofiok who is also the Chairman House Committee on Education prayed the house to direct the House Committee for works to collaborate with the Ministry of Works and Fire Service to undertake inspection of the area for on-the-spot assessment of the issues raised in the motion.
Also That immediate remedial measures be taken to prevent loss lives and property.
‘That State Emergency Management Authority be directed to visit the area to make appropriate assessment of the risks which may plague
the inhabitants and offer palliatives to enable people feel loved and cared after.”
Meanwhile, The Speaker , Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, constituted a Joint House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry, Labour and Productivity to engage with the Commissioner for Agriculture as well as that of Labour Matters with a view of addressing the plight of workers at St. Gabriel Coconut Plantation and Oil Refinery.
Workers of St. Gabriel Coconut Plantation and Oil Refinery, spread across Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas and are owed seven months salary arrears.
The decision followed a motion brought by member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Mr Uwem Peter Imoh-ita, who drew the attention of the House to the urgent need for government intervention on the plight of workers.
The Mkpat Enin lawmaker noted that the affected workers, employed since 2016 as part of the State’s agricultural and industrial development drive, had their salaries abruptly stopped in December 2024 without formal communication.
The House while constituting the committee also urged the State Government to urgently pay the seven months’ salary arrears and entitlements of the affected workers, redeploy workers to relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) if the plantation and refinery are found to be non-functional or operating below capacity.
