By Aniekan Umanah
Hon. Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information & Social Re-Orientation
PRESS RELEASE
DECISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2010, PRESENTED BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND SOCIAL RE-ORIENTATION, MR. ANIEKAN UMANAH
The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council on Wednesday October 13, 2010 held its weekly meetings at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Uyo.
The meeting which was chaired by the Governor-in-Council, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio and had in attendance, Exco members, considered several memos and other issues affecting the state and made far reaching decisions as follows:
- In furtherance of government’s desire to develop and grow small and medium scale enterprises as well as reduce unemployment in Akwa Ibom State, the Executive Council approved the establishment of Ibom Enterprise Development Scheme. In this regard the state government would invest an initial sum of one billion naira into assisting small scale businesses into achieving turn around and growth. To jump start the process, exco constituted a special committee to harmonise various proposals, visit MSMEs( Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises) with a view to verifying their viability and determining the level of assistance to be extended. The Committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, while members include Commissioners for Women Affairs, Economic Development, Science and Technology as well as the Special Adviser on Co-operative Affairs and the Special Assistants to the Governor on NEPAD and MDGs respectively. The committee has a month to submit its report.
- The Executive council noted that the State Government’s massive investment in rural electrification has paid off with the completion of 110 electrification stations covering 220 villages. This action is in fulfillment of the governor’s promise that all 2600 villages will be connected to the national grid by 2011.
- Council after consideration of a memo brought by the commissioner for Culture and Tourism approved the hosting of the National Festival of Art and Culture(NAFEST) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The LOC headed by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr Austin Mbe has 14 members drawn from the relevant ministries and extra ministerial departments, corporate services, security agencies, and the academia. NAFEST is a forum that involves the participation of all states of the Federation, the federal capital territory as well as non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders and is thus a super highway to national unity. It provides a forum for talent hunt, skills development and showcasing the best of our cultural heritage and attracts tourists which will be of immense benefits to Akwa Ibom State.
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The State Executive Council noted and discussed a Federal Government circular on limited years of service for permanent secretaries and directors in public service. In view of the fact that Federal government’s circulars are not totally binding, exco reviewed the circular and adopted certain necessary provisions as follows:
- The number of years which a person can hold an office as director in the public service to a maximum of ten years prior to retirement.
- Exco also adopted a maximum of eight years tenure for permanent secretaries.
This newly approved tenures take effect from January 2011 without prejudice to age and years of service. It was the belief of council that this new regime will bring about ingenuity, efficiency, and vibrancy.
- In considering a report presented by the Commissioner for Environment, Council directed the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources to produce a comprehensive technical evaluation of the ecological problems identified for immediate intervention, especially in areas requiring urgent intervention in order to check the threats to life and property. The Governor-in – council further directed that the attention of the federal Ministry of Environment and the Niger Delta Ministry be drawn to the magnitude of ecological problems in the State.
- The Governor - in - Council also approved the nomination of Elder Patrick Asukwo Ndon as new Chaiman for SUBEB. Elder Ndon who hails from Uruan local government retired as a director from SUBEB in 2008.
He is to replace the late Chief Ekpenyong Asuquo who died recently while in active service.
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