EXCERPTS OF THE MEETING OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT HELD ON THURSDAY, 30TH DECEMBER,2021 AT THE EXCO CHAMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
The meeting commenced at 11am with the rendering of the National and State anthems, after which HE the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo offered the opening prayers.
The meeting was presided by HE the Governor as Chairman-In-Council and had in attendance HE the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Head of the Civil Service, Honourable Commissioners and Special Adviser.
OPENING REMARKS
The Governor welcomed members from the Christmas break and reminded that Government cannot afford to go on vacation, as government must work round the clock. He reviewed the security situation in the state and briefed Council on the steps taken to beef up security throughout the end of year and new year season. He reiterated his charge to members to double their efforts in quality service delivery of all projects and policies under their care.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted.
EXCO frowned at the current spate of street trading within the metropolis, even on trunk A roads. The attendant risks and the ongoing defacing of the city caused by this menace were discussed extensively. It was agreed that the Ministries of Environment & Solid Minerals and Transportation, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency and Security Agencies should take immediate steps to curb the menace.
HEALTH SECTOR REPORT
The HC-Health was invited to present a status update on the COVID-19 pandemic. He presented the current status of the pandemic in the nation and state, advising that enlightenment and enforcement of the COVID Protocol be increased to curtail the spread of the virus. He also presented a report on the enforcement of standards for Medical Laboratory Services in the state. He reported that the task force is at work and has apprehended defaulters and closing their facilities.
WASSCE RESULT PERFORMANCE FROM 2019-2021
HC-Education presented a report of the performance of candidates who took the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state from 2019-2021. The report showed that the total number of those who took the examination in the years under review were 54,171, 52,207 and 51,771 respectively. The percentage of candidates who passed with credits in 5 subjects or more, including -English Language and Mathematics were 58.55(2019), 68.05(2020), 78.90(2021). The report was received and deliberated exhaustively. While the HC-Education was commended for the upward performance of the candidates, she was charged to improve the performance in the future examinations.
APICO STATUS UPDATE
The report of the status update on the Akwa Ibom Property and Investments Company was presented by the Managing Director, Barr. Patrick Udomfang, showing the current status of the company and suggesting ways of repositioning the company for optimum performance. His report was deliberated and the company was charged to take necessary steps to make the company run profitably. EXCO directed that effective next year, the company will have to generate resources to handle their liabilities . To this end, the MD was charged to reorganise the company for greater productivity.
POWER FOR ALL UPDATE
The HC-Power and Petroleum Development presented the update on the Power for all target of the government. He reported that the state had attained 92 percent coverage of all the gazetted villages, in addition to the network optimisation gains. EXCO deliberated the report and directed that the Commissioner should address the Press soon, so as to enlighten the public on the details of the power target.
Motion for adjournment was moved and seconded, while the closing prayer was said by HC-Youths and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, bringing the meeting to a close at 4:30pm. The national anthem was rendered.
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong
Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy
30122021
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 