Pastor Umo Eno, Governor, Akwa Ibom State.
Abasifreke Effiong
Akwa Ibom state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, will announce the creation of a new ministry later this week when the state executive council will be inaugurated.
The new ministry will be in-charge of internal security in the State.
“We will create a ministry that will focus on our internal security…”, Governor Eno said in an address at the opening of Akwa Ibom dialogue, a-3 day policy talk-shop held at Ibom Icon hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo.
This will increase the number of ministries in the State to 23.
Fishermen in Akwa Ibom State have faced increased attacks by pirates.
Last week, a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly representing the coastal local government areas of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Mrs Selinah Ukpatu, said fishermen in Eastern Obolo lost 30 outboard engines in March and 20 in May 2023 to pirates.
In a motion to the House of Assembly, Mrs Ukpatu said “the activities of sea pirates (sic) have persisted in the coastal communities for the past 15 years, leading to the significant loss of revenue, loss of life and the impoverishment of families.”
There has also been increased hostilities in some communities in Akwa Ibom South senatorial district over grievances on the controversial remapping of the State by the immediate past administration.
READ: Akwa Ibom Governor orders immediate intervention in Cottage hospitals
A disturbing video showing some youths of the area slaughtering other young men, opening their stomachs and cutting out their bowels, was circulated on social media in April this year.
Security sources confirmed the authenticity of the video to The Dune.
The violent hostilities are abating even though ethnic groups from the area are still agitating for the nullification of the Gazetted map.
Governor Eno sent the names of 24 nominees who will be serving with him in the state executive council to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly last week.
The Dune gathered that 23 of the nominees who were screened and cleared by the House of Assembly on Tuesday 25th July will be assigned portfolios as Commissioners while one will serve as Special Adviser.
The Governor will be retaining 100% of the exco members who served under the immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Governor Eno’s only addition to the exco, Brig General Koko Essien, Rtd., has been tipped as the possible pioneer commissioner for the ministry of internal security that would be created.
Brig General Koko Essien, Rtd, a former Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, was laid off alongside 37 others by the Nigerian Army on disciplinary grounds in 2016.
Reports said Essien was laid off for allegedly helping a certain political to get more votes in 2015. His dismissal was said to be unjust.
The Army in letters to the affected 38 officers dated June 9, 2016 said their compulsory retirement was hinged on “provisions of Paragraph 09.plc (4) of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers 2012 (Revised)”.
The referenced section shows that the officers were laid off “on disciplinary grounds i.e serious offence(s)”.
Mr Essien faced the presidential panel that investigated their alleged involvement in the 2015 election but was cleared.
