Government Pledges Support For Akwa Ibom Airport
OVERZEALOUS security agents, yesterday, barred journalists and
members of opposition parties when President Jonathan performed the
foundation laying ceremony of the Akwa Ibom Stadium Complex and
commissioned the new Government House.
The height of the
embarrassment to both national and local journalists was at the gate to
the state banquet hall, where the head of the presidential security team
ordered his boys to push journalists out of the way.
Explanations
by leadership of all NUJ chapels, including that of the NUJ chairman,
Mr. Joe Effiong, fell on deaf ears, as the security officer repeatedly
ordered his boys to chase reporters away.
“This is not the
governor’s event; it is a presidential visit. And so, we cannot allow
all of you in, even if you are national or local journalists,” he said.
When all entreaties failed, the NUJ chairman asked his members to leave before the security men opened fire.
Meanwhile,
the federal government has pledged readiness to collaborate with Akwa
Ibom State Government in turning Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO)
facilities of Akwa Ibom International Airport to a national hanger.
President
Jonathan made the pledge yesterday during an official reception in his
honour at Government House, shortly after inaugurating the ultra-modern
Governor’s Office and performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the
proposed stadium.
The President said: “The federal government has
decided to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State Government in turning
Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities of Akwa Ibom
International Airport to a national hanger.
“We would continue to partner with the state and other states to bring more development to the country,” he said.
Jonathan congratulated Governor Akpabio on speedy transformation of the state, saying it is proof of good leadership.
Government Pledges Support For Akwa Ibom Airport
POLICE RESTRICT MOVEMENTS, IN ORDER TO ASSURE ON SECURITY IN ONDO STATE
ONDO:POLICE RESTRICT MOVEMENTS, IN ORDER TO ASSURE ON SECURITY IN ONDO STATE
Redeploy commissioner, others
Jega urges cooperation with INEC
AS part of measures to ensure conduct of free and fair election, police authorities have declared a dusk to dawn restriction of movements at all border entries to Ondo State beginning from today (Thursday).
The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, who announced this yesterday in Akure at the final stakeholders' meeting to fine-tune strategies for the conduct of the polls, also said his men had been directed to enforce total restriction of movement across the length and breadth of the state from the dusk of tomorrow (Friday) till 8 pm on Saturday, the election day.
The IG reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to conduct of credible polls in the country and disclosed that, "the Ondo election, from the logistics that we have put in place, will qualify to be the freest and fairest so far."
Abubakar told the parley, which was led by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and attended by representatives of participating political parties and their candidates that a security blueprint that will involve all the security and para-military outfits had been worked out for the election.
He also hinted that the State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Mshebwala and senior officers of the Command would be transferred out of the state in response to calls by some political parties. "Whatever changes will be made is for the interest of the people of this state as we have done everything possible to ensure free and fair election," he said.
The IG also announced immediate withdrawal of all security personnel attached to political office holders and public officers "no matter how highly placed to prevent intimidation of voters on election day."
Abubakar said the police had moved a large contingent of officers and men to Ondo to tackle any security challenges that might occur during the election. He explained that the essence of the deployment was not to harass the people but to ensure free, fair and credible election.
According to him, "five units of mobile policemen will be deployed in each of the senatorial district to ensure adherence to the restriction, 10 mobile units will be on standby in each of the local government.
"Twenty armoured patrol vehicles will also be deployed, while members of the counter terrorism unit will also be on ground to provide security at the polling units and collation centres".
He warned that any politician found with large sum of money on the day of the election would be arrested.
On adequate security for the riverrine area, he said the restriction on movement on water would be enforced, as no boat would be allowed to move around on the election day apart from those on electoral duties.
On his part, Jega said more than ever, INEC was ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election that would be a template for the nation. According to him, INEC had been collaborating with security agencies in the country to ensure a free and fair election.
"The election will be peaceful and successful, we have done our best as INEC to make the election free and fair. The Edo State election was acknowledged as the best we have conducted.
"We have learnt a lot of lessons from Edo and we have factored in the lessons. We are committed to ensuring that Ondo State election is the best conducted so far".
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