The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged operators of tricycles, widely known as keke and minibuses, to register on the Ministry of Transport’s database for proper identification and effective security management.
Speaking at the July Edition of Government House Monthly Prayer Service held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, he warned that any defaulting transporter would have the tricycle or minibus impounded.
He noted that the development is to ensure that hoodlums do not disguise as transport operators to perpetrate crime in the State.
“We are digitally registering all our Keke/minibus owners and riders in the State for free, and I think from August, it will be possible for you to know the names of the driver, rider or transporter of any mini bus or keke that you are boarding,” he said.
The Governor said the State is gaining a new name with its intentional strides towards becoming a tourism destination, and, therefore, the state transport system must be purged of criminal elements.
He further announced that full free internet service will commence soon at the Victor Attah International Airport, as part of the administration’s efforts to improve public services and strengthen digital infrastructure.
On environmental issues, Governor Eno cautioned residents against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, describing flash flooding as a natural occurrence that requires both government intervention and citizens’ cooperation.
On the recent flash – flood menace in some parts of the State, the Governor said there will be a review of flood control strategies to strengthen government’s response to flooding, and stressed on the need for strict compliance with the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The Governor warned that there will be no more movement on sanitation days, noting that anyone found violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws would be prosecuted and sentenced accordingly, and urged all residents to join hands in keeping Akwa Ibom clean.
Speaking on the administration’s social welfare programme, he said the ongoing food distribution exercise across the 31 local government areas was being implemented through the state’s Social Register, adding that the Ministry of Economic Planning would soon commence an update of the register to capture more vulnerable residents.
The Governor thanked the people of Akwa Ibom for their continued support and prayers, noting that their cooperation had contributed significantly to the peace, growth and progress recorded across the State.
Earlier in his homily, Pastor Emmanuel Bassey of the Redeemed Christian Church, who preached on the theme, “Divine Rechristening,” drawn from Isaiah 62:4, urged Akwa Ibom people to renew their commitment to the state, embrace God’s purpose for its transformation, and surrender their lives to Christ for spiritual repositioning and “divine rechristening.”
Those at the service which featured sessions of worship, praises, choir ministrations and intercessory prayers for the state, its leadership, ongoing projects and the successful completion of developmental initiatives included:: Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakeneyi, Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, Secretary to the State Government Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson, Members of the State Executive Council, legislators, political and religious leaders.
