The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed a company, Sterling Global to stop further encroachment or closing of any creek in the state.
This was part of the resolutions taken at the end of the State's Executive Council, SEC, meeting held on Wednesday in Uyo, as contained in a statement endorsed by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah.
Umanah said the Governor in council, took the decision following complaints received from various communities in the oil-bearing part of the State, particularly the area of operations of the Sterling Global.
He said the SEC after due consideration and review, directed that the oil company immediately revert and limit its operations within the 1000 hectares of land earlier allocated to it and the 700 hectares buffer zone.
He further said that the council directed the Ministry of Lands to take appropriate actions to ensure the determination of all statuses as regards the approvals given, and to ensure that they operate within the confines of the law.
Umanah disclosed that the council approved the establishment of a Department of Occupational Safety in the State public service to be headed by a Permanent Secretary under the Office of the Head of Civil Service as well as the recruitment of Safety Officers.
The statement also disclosed that the SEC, pursuant to the Agriculture and Food Sufficiency program of the ARISE Agenda, inaugurated the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee headed by Prof. Okon Ansa.
The statement also revealed that the governor granted approval for the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to exercise supervisory role over the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Asset Management and Maintenance Agency, with effect from April 2, 2025.
