...That Mischievous Video About Demolition of Structures at Etinan is False
PRESS RELEASE:
The attention of the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen has been drawn to a mischievous video circulating on the social media, relating to an incident in Etinan, during the routine supervision of demolition and construction work of the ongoing 19.8km Uyo - Etinan Road at the Etinan roundabout.
Ordinarily, the ministry would have ignored the video and the misinterpretations of the purveyors whose intent is to blackmail and smear government's good intentions of not only developing Akwa Ibom State, but safeguarding the overriding public interest and welfare of our citizens.
In a bid not to allow the gullible public to be swayed by the falsehood peddled by detractors using the video, we wish to put the records straight and state the following facts :
1. That the ongoing demolition of structures have become inevitable to prevent the menace of flash flood and the attendant hazards it posses to lives and property with particular reference to Etinan round about where construction is at advanced stages.
The property in contention, a dilapidated storey building which was unoccupied as at the material time, situates at Etinan round about, and belonging to the Late Mr Ekanem was marked for demolition after proper evaluation by Valuers and compensation earmarked for the owner.
2. That on Monday, the 17th of September, 2018, the widow of Mr Ekanem, Mrs Juliana Ekanem had agreed to pick up her cheques with the ministry which were ready since 10th September with a firm oral agreement that the building will be taken down on Wednesday, 19th September, 2018, to urgently arrest further damage and threat from the flood in the area, which she gladly obliged to.
3. It was therefore shocking, and to our consternation to observe that on the said day of demolition, and after which the Honourable Commissioner called to informed her of the ongoing demolition, that the said Mrs Juliana Ekanem, showed up and harassed the Ministry officials in an attempt to resist demolition of the property.
It must be noted that, the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen, who was taken aback by the provocative action maintained his cool and instructed the security men attached to the team to exercise restraint even in the face of extreme provocation.
4. The ministry wishes to state that she remains irrevocably committed to the delivery of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel's vision on road infrastructure and will NOT be deterred by the antics of mischief makers.
5. In doing this, we also wish to appeal to the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their kind understanding knowing that for good roads to be constructed, some sacrifices must be made for the greater good of the society as one cannot make omelette without breaking eggs.
6. We continue to assure the people that adequate compensation will always be paid for structures that have to give way for the overriding public interest as the Udom Emmanuel led administration is people-oriented and will NOT condone or abate actions that will not augur well for the welfare of the people whose Mandate he holds in trust.
7. We therefore appeal to the people to ignore the campaign of calumny mounted by few individuals who wish to make cheap capital in this political season out of the minor incident in question as we remain focused in delivering democracy dividends and campaign pledges of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Signed:
Elder Effiong Essien.
Permanent Secretary.
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