Eket Remodeling: A/Ibom govt says it would not to succumb to any deity

Akwa Ibom state government said it would not yield to pressure from any deity or sacrifice to it before embarking on development process. Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, presented the government’s position on Tuesday while responding to an demand by the paramount ruler of Eket Edidem Etim Abia that statutory items must be presented before the second phase of the project can commence.

The Traditional Rulers Council in Eket had demanded that seven cows be sacrificed before the Eket roundabout could be pulled down for the remodeling of Eket to continue.

But the Commissioner said he would not be able to defend such expenditures as may be required by the sacrifice before the Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and anti-corruption agencies, should they demand detailed explanation.

“I can’t sacrifice to any deity, Jesus Christ was the last sacrifice, so whoever that is looking for money to buy seven cows should count Ephraim Inyangeyen out, because I will be unable to defend such ungodly and fetish thing before my boss.

“In all the nooks and crannies of the State that His Excellency has brought development to, we have not given money for such sacrifices and Eket will not be different. The few aggrieved persons in Eket should not look for evil means to delay the development in their locality,” the commissioner further stated.

Inyang-Eyen appealed to the traditional institution in Eket to cooperate with government, its efforts to develop the state, speed up the Eket Remodeling and Beautification Project to ensure timely delivery.

On the allegation of pulling down structures not duly compensated for, the Works Commissioner explained that all properties demolished were paid for, with the exception of the containers which the Governor had clearly declared illegal and unworthy of any form of compensation.

The Commissioner used the occasion to plead with the people of Eket, who have genuine complaints to visit the Ministry of Works Head office at the State secretariat annex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, and lodge such valid complaints for proper attention.