…Ask Ufot Ebong to Coordinate Take Over
…Etido Inyang’s Firm, Others Want Their Debt Cleared
By Our Reporter
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Technical Matters/Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong, has been assigned the task of coordinating the takeover of Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre from the current manager, Silverbird Galleria, sources close to Government House, Uyo, said.
Elder Ebong is alleged to have been instructed by the Governor to ensure a smooth handover of assets of the Complex to a new foreign firm brought in by the Governor. The firm is to complete the building of the complex including the Hotel and International Conference Centre.
Elder Ebong is, however, said to be in a dilemma on how to handle the liabilities of the former management. Sources said most firms that supplied materials to the Complex are yet to be paid. One of the firms, owned by Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, Belaspoken Limited, is said to be owed by millions of Naira for the supply of tiles and other finishing materials.
The contractor are said to have met and planned to resist the handover of the place without their being paid.
Since some of the materials were not used, Ibom Telegraph was authoritatively told that Elder Ufot Ebong has asked the contractors to come and pack their unused materials, claiming that the new Management firm will source their own materials.
Our investigation revealed that the alleged action by Elder Ebong has not gone down well with the contractors.
Meanwhile, sources close to Silverbird told Ibom Telegraph that the company (Silverbird) will sue the Akwa Ibom State Government since it has a running management agreement with the government.