Niger Delta
A’Ibom Seeks End To Local Engineers, Craftsmen Discrimination
The Akwa Ibom State Government says local engineers and craftsmen in the state must be given the enabling environment to creditably perform their professional duties.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, stated this at a town-hall meeting organised by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Uyo, yesterday.
The meeting had the theme: “Systematic and Proactive Investigation into Discrimination of Local Engineers and Craftsmen by Foreign Construction Companies”.
Represented by Mr Idoreinyin Orok, Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Uwah said the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm on the matter.
He said the State Government had taken critical steps towards promoting local content and creating the environment for local professionals to participate in construction works.
Uwah urged the participants to utilise the opportunity provided by the meeting to identify the cause of the discrimination.
“This event is timely, it will provide avenue to identify the root causes of the challenges, and to find practical and enforceable solutions.
“We need to create an enabling environment where local professionals can thrive by contributing their skills and ingenuity to the development of the state”, he said.
Uwah said the Akwa Ibom Government, would collaborate with the PCC and other relevant bodies to ensure that the rights of local engineers and craftsmen were protected.
“As a state, we are committed to upholding the principles of local content in every sector, particularly in construction and engineering.
“Our motive is to ensure that our talents are not only recognised but prioritised”, Uwah said.
Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Uyo Branch, Mr. Emem Ezekiel, described the discrimination against local engineers and craftsmen as unfair.
He said it was grossly unfair not to recognise and appreciate the skills and expertise of Nigerian engineers and craftsmen.
Ezekiel expressed worries that different levels of government in the country did not consider local firms worthy of being awarded contracts.
The NSE Chairman said the challenges faced by local engineers and craftsmen were not mere professional imperatives but a moral and economic necessity.
Ezekiel said the contributions of local professionals to the development of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole could be over-emphasised.
He stated that local engineers and craftsmen had proven their mettle over time by delivering projects that rivaled those handled by foreign contractors.
Earlier, the PCC Federal Commissioner, Mr. Ubong Uwah, said the town-hall meeting was to assemble stakeholders to discuss the issue critically with a view to finding solutions.
“We are here to explore ways of ensuring equal participation of local engineers and craftsmen in contract implementation in Akwa Ibom.
“Participants are to discuss the challenges faced by local engineers and craftsmen that affect their participation in contract implementation.
“Let’s use the meeting to seek solutions by identifying strategies to promote equal opportunities for them.
“We should also outline ways of establishing partnerships by fostering collaborations between local engineers, craftsmen, contractors, and government agencies”, he said.
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The Wife of Delta State Governor, Mrs. Tobore Oborevwori, has launched a free medical outreach for children with special needs in Delta South.
The event, which attracted scores of caregivers, medical professionals, and government functionaries, took place at Dom Domingos College, Warri.
It was organised by the governor’s wife’s pet project, “You Matter Charity Foundation”, in partnership with the State Ministry of Health.
In a speech at the event, Oborevwori said the initiative sought to promote public awareness about autism and other notable infants’ developmental conditions.
She said the programme also aimed ”to eliminate stigma and encourage inclusion of persons living with disabilities.”
According to her, the outreach is structured to cover the state’s three senatorial districts.
She noted that the programme took place earlier in Ughelli, Delta Central, where beneficiaries received medications and assistive devices, including educational materials to support learning among children with special needs.
Oborevwori, who thanked residents and local government chairmen in Delta South for their cooperation, also commended the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, and medical teams for their dedication to the success of the programme.
She admonished parents and caregivers to continue to show patience, compassion, and understanding towards children with special needs.
The Tide’s source reports that health workers from the ministry and Primary Healthcare Development Agency participated in the programme.
In her remark, the Director-General of the foundation, Mrs. Lawrentta Ogbedo, said the outreach would reduce financial pressure on families that have children with special needs.
She underscored the importance of early diagnosis and consistent medical attention for such children.
The Chairman of Warri South LGA, Mr. Isaac Agbateyiniro, thanked the governor’s wife for the initiative, and described her kind intervention as ”timely and beneficial to struggling families”.
Also, the Chairman, Post Primary Education Board, Mr. Samuel Mariere, applauded the foundation’s effort in extending support to children with special needs in society.
Mariere said the programme had provided hope and practical support to many households.
The source reports that the event featured free medical consultations and treatment for children.
Also, health experts delivered talks on autism awareness, care strategies, and social acceptance.
Participants were also enlightened on the legal protections against discrimination for persons with disabilities.
Other highlights included the distribution of wheelchairs, medications, and assistive materials, among other items, to the beneficiaries.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (UniCal), Prof. Offiong Offiong, has reiterated the institution’s commitment towards supporting the growth of nursing education in the state.
Offiong, who made the statement recently in Calabar when members of the Basic Nursing and Midwifery Sciences Certificate Affiliation Committee visited him in his office, said as a federal university located in Cross River State, the institution would remain committed to the development of the state and the wellbeing of its residents.
The Vice Chancellor said UniCal would strategically collaborate with the state government to ensure improved healthcare education, professional training and standards.
“I commend the state government for expanding nursing institutions, this development has stimulated youth interest in health-related careers.
“We shall revisit the affiliation process to ensure compliance with national and international academic standards,” he said.
Offiong continued that curriculum review, adequate academic staffing and strict quality assurance measures would be given priority attention in the process.
He urged the state government to provide logistics support to students undertaking clinical postings in health facilities.
Leader of the delegation, Dr. Henry Ayuk, congratulated Offiong on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of the university.
Ayuk, who’s also the Commissioner for Health in the State, commended the university for its contributions to the growth of the health sector.
He said the Bassey Otu-led government was committed to deepening collaboration with the university in order to strengthen nursing education and healthcare delivery.
The team leader expressed optimism that the partnership would boost professional training, institutional development and healthcare outcomes in the state.
The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency has commenced the removal of illegal roadside structures and street traders across Asaba.
The enforcement drive targeted areas where traders and makeshift stalls have taken over roads, walkways and drainage channels.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director-General of the agency, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said the action was necessary due to the growing safety concerns caused by unchecked roadside trading.
Ukah said the action formed part of a broader urban renewal programme aimed at improving sanitation, reducing traffic congestion and enhancing road safety.
He noted that the activities had disrupted traffic flow and exposed motorists and pedestrians to avoidable dangers.
According to him, the agency’s action is not directed at individuals but aimed at restoring order and enforcing existing regulations.
Ukah warned that the agency would not tolerate activities that deface the capital or threaten public safety.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining a clean, safe and orderly capital, saying a well-managed Asaba remains vital to the image of the state and its development.
Urging affected traders to relocate to approved government markets across the city, Ukah said the operation would continue and might be extended to other locations if violations persist.
Major locations affected include Akpu Junction, Marble Hill Junction, and the Arcade near Ogbeogonogo Market.
The Tide’s source reports that in addition to dismantling illegal structures, the agency intensified sanitation efforts along major roads.
Special attention was given to the Mammy Market and Traffic Light axis of Asaba to sustain cleanliness.
The agency’s Head of Environment, Mr. Isaac Nwosu, said the teams would ensure compliance and prevent a return of illegal roadside activities.
Nwosu called on residents and traders to support the agency by adhering to environmental regulations.
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