Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum (USDMPF)
That senseless and unwarranted attack by nkpubre and his cohorts on governor udom emmanuel.
- (1888PressRelease) October 01, 2021 - With deep sense of empathy for a man who has lost his rationality and decency to old age and ethnic bigotry, the Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum (USDMP) writes to sympathize with the remains of Nkpure’s ego, over his current state of debased mentality, aggravated by bad upbringing.
Happenstance and situations have overtime proven that people with an inexistent sense of modesty and vague sense of reasoning like him, will often exhibit intellectual irrelevance whenever their names are mentioned hence, we are not surprised.
It is only surprising that a dead name would suddenly resurrect in the build-up to the 2023 elections for the purpose of gaining relevance.
It is on grounds of the above that USDMPF posits that, this latest “accuser of the brethren” is up to something; and that is to gain cheap popularity by riding on the intelligence of his people for the purpose of gaining their goodwill and trust as the election year nears.
In view of the above, we condemn in entirety, the defamatory balderdash dished on the very revered personality of Governor Udom Emmanuel by Nkpubre via an audio clip. USDMPF notes very carefully that the message of the said audio was not only a threat to the life of the governor but an attempt to spite His Excellency, hurt his feelings, reduce his morale and as well expose him to public ridicule which goes against the provisions of the law, hence our call for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
As we demand for arrest and prosecution of Nkpubre, we will not have an individual or entity come out to vilify the golden image of our governor, whom we so cherish.
On no account should the office of the Governor be so derided with reckless abandon. It should never be mentioned that a man whose reputation is esteemed nationally and globally, and has done tremendously well for his people was insulted by a clown. Irrespective of what may have prompted such unguarded outburst, no one; not even a Village or Family Head deserves to be addressed in such disrespectful manner.
The Ibom Deep Seaport which seems to be the subject matter has without doubt, gulped the full commitment, time and resources of the Governor who has stopped at nothing to ensure its workability. The Seaport which is a Federal Government project driven by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigerian Port Authority already has the State Government perfecting its role as host.
We recall that on Friday, January 31, 2020, a delegation from the Presidency consisting of the Director General of Infrastructure Concession Regulating Commission (ICRC), an official of the Ministry of Transportation, Finance and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), visited the project site; accompanied by the then Works Commissioner, Ephraim Inyang-eyen, the then State Information boss, Sir Charles Udoh and the then Economic Development counterpart, Mr. Akan Okon,
Inyang-eyen who explained the interconnectivity of the roads linking the Seaport, had stressed that the Ibom Deep Seaport will have direct links to Onne Port, Mobil Oil Producing as well as the Atlantic Ocean; Uyo, the state capital; and a super Highway from Ibeno axis to Uya Oro where one can link up to the East-West road leading to Bayelsa, Port-Harcourt and Warri or drive the opposite way to get to Oron, Eket as well as Calabar. And for the records, siting of the IDSP inches away from the Atlantic Ocean makes the coast clear for international exchanges.
How then and why would one wants to take such an internationally wired project into his pocket?
We are bothered that a certain infinitesimal number of people led by Engr. Nkpubre are bent on acting out his plans to limit the growth and expansion of the State when others are constructively lobbying to achieve the reverse.
In her reply to the Oro Development Union, the Federal Government had assured that there was no illegal relocation, yet they still went ahead to scare away investors through outrageous petitions.
It is pertinent to also note that the technical committee overseeing the Ibom Deep Seaport has factually debunked all of Engr. Nkpubre’s interviews, bringing all his claims to a nullity. Part of it which reads;
Facts:
1. The studies at our disposal, specifically the OBC presented the concept design of a dug-out port. It was not that of a traditional port alongside a coast.
2. Engr Nkpubre has admitted that he does not have the data to buttress his
conclusions.
3. The preferred bidders have their experts in port economics, port finance, port construction, port engineers etc which they relied on prior to submission of their very detailed bids in response to the RfPs issued. It is doubtful if they needed Engr Nkpubre’s opinion.
4. The commercial risks around cost of construction or locational suitability rests on the profit-oriented project partners that are investing capital and who are armed with very sophisticated advisers.
https://vintageonline.ng/factual-rebuttal-to-engr-nkpubres-interview-published-by-national-newstrack/
We therefore call on our Oro brethren to sheath their swords and call their agitators to order.
Inasmuch as the Seaport project is sited along their coastal belt, it is not an Oro property or possession but the collective possession of Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians.
We are known by outsiders as a State where peace thrives, we should shun divisive tendencies. No ethnic entity is bigger than Akwa Ibom. Please, let's sustain the peace.
SIGNED:
Pastor Micheal Okon.
Head, Publicity and Strategic Communications.
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