Edet Ikotidem
Governor Umo Eno has signed the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency Bill into law.
He has also given executive assent to the Akwa Ibom State Asset Management and Infrastructure Maintenance Bill, thereby establishing it as a law.
Governor Eno signed the two bills into law during an enlarged state executive council meeting held at government house, Uyo, today.
Emphasizing on the importance of the two laws, the governor said with the Bulk Purchase Agency Law, the Agency will be put in place to coordinate government’s intervention plans aimed at making food available to the people and mitigating the high cost of living in the nation.
On the Akwa Ibom State Asset Management and Infrastructure Maintenance Law, Governor Eno explained that the Agency will create a register, documenting all government assets in the state, ensure the functionality of the assets and maintain them.
Akwa Ibom Gov’t Signs Two Bills into Law
He said the asset management law will also create an occupational safety department, employ safety personnel and ensure safety in all government buildings across the state.
He thanked the State House of Assembly for their commitment towards the speedy passage of the bills, which he noted, would now empower the executive to implement its plans for the people.
On the need to expand the target audience beyond the state’s social register, the governor explained that using the social register was only a starting point, saying the implementation approach would be modified as the food intervention programme progresses.
During the enlarged state executive council meeting, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Information Communication Technology, ICT, Dr Frank Ekpenyong made a presentation on modalities for implementation of the food subsidy programme while a representative of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting PLC made a presentation on some security features on the food voucher that is to be used to redeem the food items.
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Meanwhile, the Government is into a partnership with an agricultural machine manufacturing firm, Bertola Machine-Tools Limited, as part of effort towards actualizing the agricultural revolution aspect of the ARISE Agenda.
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno gave indication for the partnership when he embarked on a facility tour and inspection of purpose-built machines and tools for agri business at the company’s premises on Oron road, Ifa Atai, Uyo,
The governor said the move is to ensure enhanced food production in the state through mechanized farming and food sufficiency in the state.
The governor commended the consistency of Bertola Machine Tools Limited in the equipment and machinery industry over the years and directed the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, and that of Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, to work out modalities for the partnership to avail farmers in the State the necessary tools for basic farm operations.
The Managing Director of Bertola Machine Tools Limited, Evangelist Albert Inyang, who led the governor around the facility, lauded the honest intentions of Governor Eno for Akwa Ibom people which, he said, has been clearly demonstrated in his pursuit of live-touching projects and programmes, assuring of his company’s readiness for the partnership.
