By Etim Homage
The Uruan Local Government Council is ready to go into collaborative partnership with Adadia Village Council and the Adadia Market Development Association, to provide Infrastructural facilities that will commercialize local content and also generate revenue in the market, The Chairman stressed.
Speaking when eminent sons and daughters of Adadia Village led by the Village Head Obong Etim Okon Udo-Ekaeba, and the Executive members of Adadia Beach Market Association visited the council; Dr. Okon said, Uruan has a mandate to “takeover” the market, develop it, and derive revenue from it. “It is the objective of this present administration in Uruan to create enabling environment that will make Adadia Market a business hub in Akwa Ibom State and beyond; hence the meeting with stakeholders to discuss details of collaboration on how to improve business for revenue derivation.
The Transition Chairman noted that Adadia is strategic to the Uruan Economy being a major source of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“It is therefore regrettable that the market suffered such an appalling neglect with its inherent adverse consequences like deteriorating road network”.
He assured that access road to the market was a matter of serious concern, and that something would be done about it in the nearest future.
Dr. Okon explained that the dwindling economy and the shortfall in Federal Allocation have necessitated ingenuity in revenue mobilization. He therefore announced a seven man Ad-Hoc committee, detailing them to come up with a proposal and a work plan of action.
Members of the Beach Market Committee includes:
Barr. Akpakan Okoho – Chairman, Mr. Joseph Obot – Secretary, Barr. (Mrs) Ekaette Orok, Obong Asuquo Inyang (JP), Obongawan Nkoyo Essien, Eld. Eyo Asuquo Essien and Chief Okon Edet Effiong. He said, though the council has limited funds to meet the needs; he gave them two weeks to present a report on short and long term measures for modus operandi, reconcile and withdraw all pending court cases; recommend measures to tackle insecurity and make provision for basic amenities in the market.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event includes, Barr. Akpakan Okoho, Obongawan Nkoyo Essien, Barr. Orok Orok, and Obong Kingsley Orok. They expressed optimism with pledge to support the new initiative.
Nevertheless, they warned against political deception and called on the government to clean the river of water hyacinth for free movement of boats, dredge the river, station Marine Police at the beach, provide access road and develop Jetty for metal vessels.
