Prince Akpan Ikim, Chairman – AKSEPWMA, and Mr. Leo Leo Umana, Executive Director – AKIRS, performing the flagging off of Schools Cleanup Project at Methodist Primary School, Anwa Udo Akai, Ikot Ekpene local government, Akwa Ibom state.
Ukpong Ukpong – Uyo
Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project, a fast rising sociopolitical group, has been roundly commended by stakeholders for initiating schools clean up exercise across public primary schools in Ikot Ekpene local government, Akwa Ibom state.
Several dignitaries present at the flag off ceremony noted the remarkable sacrifice made by the group.
At the fore was the member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Idongesit Ntekpere, who commended the initiative, saying it is a laudable exercise that must be replicated across the state.
He promised to partner the group to ensure the project is extended to public secondary schools in the constituency.
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In his opening remarks, the Principal of Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project, Prince Samuel Ukut, revealed that the school cleanup project is a selfless contribution by his group in support of state government free and compulsory education policy as well as the completion agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
He said the exercise is a post Covid-19 strategy targeted at helping pupils in primary schools settle down quickly to commence school work rather than suffer the trauma of having to clear their school environment first before start of lessons.
“As government is planning to reopen schools, it would be very stressful for children after two months of staying at home, to clear such overgrown grasses in their school premises. So, Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project thought it necessary to clear the overgrown grasses which could take pupils over a month to clear.
“We have earmarked 12 public primary schools across Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area for this project. Aside Methodist Primary School, Anwa Udo Akai, where this flag off is taking place, we will similarly clean up 11 others in the course of the programme including Primary School, Utu Edem Usung, Primary School, Ibiakpan, Primary School, Uruk Uso and Primary School, Ikot Osurua.
“Others are Primary School, Ikot Inyang, Primary School, Ikot Abia Idem, Primary School, Amayam, Primary School, Ekoi, Ikot Obong Edong, Primary School, Ikot Atasung/Ikot Obong Otoro, Primary School, Anwa Nta, Abiakpo Ikot Essien, and Primary School, Urua Ekpa, Mbiaso”.
Prince Ukut said in order to achieve the feat, the group relied on the expertise and experience of a world-class environmental protection agency, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency. He thanked all public spirited individuals and corporate bodies that supported the programme including Family Empowerment, Youth Re-Orientation Path initiative, FEYReP, Ini Ememobong Foundation and others.
Prince Samuel Ukut, Principal, Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project giving his address during the flag off of Schools Cleanup Project at Methodist Primary School, Anwa Udo Akai, Ikot Ekpene local government area.
He hinted that the group is already thinking of extending the project to secondary schools and called on relevant government agencies to partner the group in future.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Akpan Ikim, who presided over the event commended Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project for undertaking such a tedious and people oriented project.
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According to Ikim “taking care of the environment is a very demanding exercise that needs passion to accomplish. You’ve displayed that passion and love for children, who are not in position to repay you”.
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The AKSEPWMA boss, disclosed that state government has over 3, 400 people on its payroll just for vegetation control alone. He maintained that the job of keeping the environment clean is not the job of government alone as such it needs such partnership from groups like Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project.
He therefore pledged to assist the group decontaminate the school while urging citizens to do more in keeping their environment tidy and neat.
“Akwa Ibom state has maintained the award as the cleanest state since 2018 because Akwa Ibom people are very clean and love themselves. I call on people to be conscious of the environment and to stop throwing dirt into gutters”.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Leo Leo Umana, the Executive Director on Enforcement and Recovery, Akwa Ibom Revenue Services, AKIRS, commended the Principal of Ikot Ekpene Partnership Project, Prince Samuel Ukut, saying “you are truly an Ikot Ekpene man, who thinks not of himself but of others. When you do anything for children, you are blessed by God. You’ve done well in your present capacity , you’ll be promoted to the next level”.
Other goodwill messages came from Mr Kingsley Ekong, Dean – College of Supervisors in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Obongawan Emilia Udom, Board member – AKSEPWMA and others.
