The Nigeria Union of Journalists Akwa Ibom State Council has sought for continuous interface between the media and government ministries , Department and agencies to curtail rumour and misinformation in the state.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John made this known during the ministerial briefing by the ministry of housing, ministry of water resources and sanitation and ministry of lands and town planning.
Comrade John while Commending the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the development strides through the various ministeries, noted that constant partnership with the press will lead to timely access to information thereby reducing rumours and misinformation.
Represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Margret Moore, the NUJ Boss reiterated that journalists in the state remain committed to professionalism and strategic partners in information dissemination.
‘ NUJ is your partner and we will continue to support you by informing the public about your programmes and achievements objectively and professionally ‘
Earlier, The Commissioner for Housing, Doctor Henry Archibong hinted that the state Government has acquired and earmarked on over 150 hectares of land across six locations in different Local Government Areas for housing development, adding that So far, a total of 1,048 housing units is at various stages of development or delivery across key sectors of the State’s housing programme.
On aviation village, Dr Archibong said the project is 98 percent completed and the governor has directed that the components of the village should include a secondary school in the second phase of the project.
“This project is 98 per cent completed. Other facilities in the village include: a model Primary School, 70,000 litre water facility with reticulation, 7.131km of roads, Electrification, Police Station, solar powered closed-circuit television system for Security purposes. H.E has graciously directed that a secondary school be provided in the Aviation Village in the second phase”
He added that the aviation village covers approximately 15.072 square meters of fenced land, comprising 100 housing units — 50 of two-bedroom and 50 three-bedroom apartments, five of which have been given to the Ministry of Aviation for accommodating visitors from the federal ministry for the purpose of supervision.
The commissioner also gave account of the progress in Doctor’s residence at Medical city, executive and legislative quarters, Judiciary quarters and ARISE CITY: SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME
Dr Archibong stressed that the projects has created economic opportunities in terms of job creation for over 5,000 people who on a daily basis earn between ₦7,000 and ₦12,000 per day, depending on the nature of work undertaken.
“Across our various construction sites, between 5,000 to 6,000 people are benefiting directly and indirectly through employment and related economic activities.
For many of these workers, construction provides a daily source of income, with earnings estimated at between ₦7,000 and ₦12,000 per day, depending on the nature of work undertaken”
Giving the scorecard of his ministry, The Commissioner for lands and town planning, Dr Ubong Inyang said One of the major milestones of this Administration is the advancement of the Akwa Ibom Geographic Information System (AKWAGIS) , a digital platform for modern land administration and spatial information management.
He also hinted that the ministry has prioritised prompt verification and payment of compensation to affected landowners and host communities whose properties were acquired for state infrastructure and development projects.
The commissioner while listening other achievements of the ministry to include facilitating certificate of Occupancy to companies who are ready to invest, added that the ministry has established land conflict resolution desk to address community bandary and private ownership dispute.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Water Resources and sanitation, Mr Ubuo Ubuo said the State was set to commence the 369 Ward Water Project following the completion of preliminary site identification and technical preparations, as directed by the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Mr Ubuo also disclosed that the State has recorded improvements in WASH interventions, with access to improved water sources rising from 34.8 per cent to 78.5 per cent, improved sanitation from 29.3 per cent to 71.2 per cent, handwashing with soap from 47.5 per cent to 82.6 per cent and household water treatment from 24.7 per cent to 69.4 per cent in areas covered by the interventions.
He also added that the intervention has helped in reducing reported cases of waterborne diseases, with diarrhoea declining from 54.3 per cent to 23.8 per cent, typhoid from 49.6 per cent to 19.2 per cent and cholera from 18.5 per cent to 5.6 per cent.
The state Commissioner for information, Mr Aniekan Umanah who coordinated the briefing however emphasized that the briefing is an opportunity to give account to the public on the promises made and executed through the ARISE agenda.
The briefing was attended by the directors in the various ministries, government aides, Journalists from various mediums and heads of stations in the state.
