…monarch, community leaders hail Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin for reactivating electricity in Okon Eket
…Ikot Abasi Council Chair commends Lawmaker on ‘focused, visionary representation’, assures him of full support
By Bassey Eduno & Samuel Udoma
Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South in the National Assembly, has flagged off the construction of two major medical facilities in the Senatorial District. The projects are sited at Immanuel Hospital, Eket, and General Hospital, Ikot Abasi. While in Eket, the Lawmaker also commissioned an ICT/CBT Centre at St Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, and electricity reactivation project in Okon.
At the well received groundbreaking ceremonies held yesterday at Immanuel Hospital, Eket, and General Hospital, Ikot Abasi, Senator Sampson reaffirmed his commitment towards addressing the healthcare needs of constituents, through the provision of critical infrastructure. He notified that a similar facility was equally underway at the General Hospital, Iquita, Oron; and will include accommodation and medical wards.
Senator Sampson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, used the occasion to commend health workers at the hospitals for aligning with the vision of Governor Umo Eno, who, through the Arise Agenda, has placed the health needs of Akwa Ibomites on the front burner. He noted that his interventions were designed to complement the efforts of the Governor towards repositioning the health sector.
The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin seized the occasion to highlight his forthcoming empowerment programme. He disclosed that some of the empowerment items have already started arriving in the State, adding that he will continue to prioritise healthcare, education, infrastructure and empowerment, to better the lives of his constituents. Senator Sampson announced that his free medical outreach for Akwa Ibom South will commence soon.
Responding on behalf of Immanuel Hospital, Eket, the Deputy Medical Director, Dr. Otobong Udoh expressed joy and excitement over the project. He pledged the support of the hospital management to Senator Sampson, while assuring the contractor of cooperation for a timely delivery of the project. He further noted that it was instructive that the project was coming at a time when the Governor had declared a state of emergency in the health sector, and when the hospital was in dire need of a convenient facility to accommodate doctors on call duty.
At the General Hospital, Ikot Abasi, Dr. King Udoh, the Medical Director, commended Senator Sampson for siting the project in the hospital. He notified that the facility is designated to be called the Ekong Sampson Medical Ward. Dr. Udoh also made a request to the Senator regarding the epileptic power situation in the hospital, which the Lawmaker obliged to, positively.
Senator Sampson in his response, listed a number of other projects which he has facilitated to Ikot Abasi LGA. Some of these projects included the construction of a school block at the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, construction of classroom block at Government School, Egwanga, solar powered streetlights in Ete, Ikot Akpabio, water project in Ikot Ubo Akama, among others. He also took time to extol some great minds from Ikot Abasi, including Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Engr. Uwem Okoko, and Engr. Dr. Uwem Akpan, immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Uyo branch, and many others whom he has enjoyed great relationship with over the years.
Senator Sampson went nostalgic when he recounted his childhood years in Ikot Abasi, reminiscing about how he used to play around the hospital premises and set traps to catch games in the bushes, and expressed delight that he has returned as a Senator to give back to the area. He paid tribute to his father who used to work in the hospital and was nicknamed ‘Perm Sec’.
The top Lawmaker further disclosed that a number of his constituents had secured federal government employment through his facilitation, while those whose appointments were wrongfully terminated had been reinstated. He recalled, in particular, how one constituent, Aniekan Paddy Ukpe from Ikot Abasi, who had been out of service for over ten years was reinstated with full emoluments paid up to date, through a petition that he presented and followed through keenly.
The Senator further revealed his efforts in engaging with the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, and other relevant stakeholders, all in a bid to revive and resuscitate the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON). He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strongly committed to ensuring that ALSCON comes back to life.
The ceremonies which witnessed joy and excitement among cheering constituents, were graced by notable stakeholders and indigenes who spoke highly of Senator Ekong Sampson. The Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. Ime Williamson commended Senator Sampson for giving Akwa Ibom South what he described as ‘focused, visionary representation’. The Council helmsman assured Sampson, whom he referred to as a ‘homeboy’, of the continuous support of Ikot Abasi. On his part, the Clan Head of Ikpa Ibekwe, His Highness, Etebom Akpan Inyang, prayed for, and poured royal blessings on Senator Sampson.
Earlier in the day, Senator Ekong Sampson had made a brief stopover at Okon Clan in Eket Local Government Area, where he officially handed over a brand-new 500KVA Transformer he donated to the area, which had since been installed and put to use. According to the project’s Technical Consultant, Hon. Ebong Akpan, the transformer, which comes with 800 amps feeder pillars, 120mm uprisers, and 150mm NV cables, has put an end to the years of blackout experienced by several communities in the area, including Ikot Akpan Ndem, Ikot Inyang, Ikot Ataku, parts of Ikot Abia, and Ikot Nsidibe.
In appreciation, Sampson received a rousing welcome from the people of the area, including the Clan Head of Okon, His Highness, Etebom Akpabio Inyang; Chief Udoh Isong, Coordinator of the Ekong Sampson Campaign Organization in Eket; Obonganwan Abigail Edokoeket, Former Transition Chairman of Eket; and Mr. Aniebiet Ibom, National Youth President of Okon Clan. The Clan Head used the occasion to formally present Senator Sampson with the traditional title of ‘Obong Unwana Okon Eket’.
From Okon, the entourage arrived St. Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, where Senator Sampson commissioned the newly completed CBT/ICT Lab and pledged that it would soon be fully equipped and digitalized with a standby source of power supply. He explained that the project was to complement government efforts in helping the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and others transition from the paper-based examinations to computer-based examinations.
Senator Sampson was flanked by the Principal of the school, Mrs. Veronica Okune, who lauded him for the well thought project, stating that the facility aligned with the Arise Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, PhD, in providing quality tech-based education and preparing students for the digital examination era.
On Senator Sampson’s entourage were Sir Michael Essang, Director-General of the Ekong Sampson Campaign Organization, Otuekong (Barr.) Ini Ikot, Chairman of the Ekong Sampson Empowerment Committee, Engr. Ben Edenseting, Secretary of the Senator Ekong Sampson Empowerment Committee, Hon. Nkereuwem James, Convener, Akwa Ibom Democracy Coalition, Elder Edet Okpo, Chairman, Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Hon. Joe Akpan, former Aide to the Governor, Hon. Essien Enang, Mr. Okon Akpan, among many others.
Leave feedback about this