Akpabuyo at 33: All you have to know about it recent development

Akpabuyo at 33: All you have to know about it recent development

Akpabuyo Local Government Area
Akpabuyo Local Government Area became autonomous on Tuesday 27th August 1991, following its creation from the former Odukpani Local Government Area. It became the 14th and 589th Local Government Area in Cross River State and Nigeria respectively.

Akpabuyo at 33 today has a population of 360,000 people and is located in the Southern Senatorial District with headquarters at Ikot Nakanda.

Akpabuyo  consists of Serveral Council Wards, namely:

Idundu/Anyananse
Atimbo East
Atimbo West
Ikot Edem Odo
Eneyo
Ikot Nakanda
Ikot Eyo
Ikang North
Ikang South
Ikang Central
The major ethnic groups are the Efiks, Quas and Efuts. The major languages spoken are Efik and English, while all the major ethnic groups share a common cultural and ancestral heritage. The people of Akpabuyo Local Government Area are predominantly farmers and fishermen. Akpabuyo is a major producer of of cassava, cocoyam, kola nut, coconut, palm produce as well as sea foods. The land is rich in mineral deposits such as petroleum deposits, gold, limestone, sand and slat deposits to mention a few. All these are available in commercial quantities for prospective explorers.

Akpabuyo Local Government Area lies between latitude 4° 5′ and 5° 40′ and longitude 8° 25′ and 8° 32 East. It lies within the vegetation belt of southern Nigeria and shares the Atlantic coastline with Bakassi to the East and the Republic of Cameroon to the West.

Akpabuyo Local Government Area which measures approximately 28.5 square kilometres is predominantly an agricultural area, and it is known as the Food Basket of Cross River State. Thus, the agricultural policy of the Local Government Council is to boost goods and crop production, as well as encourage foreign investors to establish allied industries to supplement the exiting ones. Akpabuyo Local Government is very rich in forest resources, which comprise several species of wood, which can support large-scale furniture and building ventures for both domestic consumptions.

ELECTRICITY
On the provision of electricity suffice it to say that, all past administrations in Akpabuyo had tried to no avail to provide electricity to the Local Government Area. The chequered history suffered by past administrations not deters Prince Eyo in his dogged determination to turn Akpabuyo to an urban setting. Hence the completion and subsequent commissioning of His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke, Governor of Cross River State on the 18th of April, 2000. with the second phase which includes Ikang, Nsidung and Esighi Electrification Projects.
recently we have some recent infrastructures facilitated by the distinguished senator Asuquo Ekpeyong Jr to ensure constant power to the indigenes of Akpabuyo.

WELFARE in Akpabuyo
In the bid to bring justice to the grassroots and alleviate the logistic problems faced by the common people of Akpabuyo, while travelling to Calabar, the State capital, the present administration renovated the former Council of Chiefs’ Chamber, the Akpabuyo High Court, Ikot Nakanda, which was commissioned by His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke, Governor of Cross River State with several judges already posted. This has brought the institution of justice to the Local Government Area.

Recently the distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong Jr has done immensely in empowering the constituents with basic infrastructures e g solar lightings, public water while also supporting the youths across all the wards in Akpabuyo.

TRADITIONAL RULERS
In line with Efik tradition and the importance attached to their monarchs and the royal heritage of Prince Eyo, a befitting edifice was constructed and subsequently commissioned on the 18th of April, 2000, along side other Council projects, in order to accord our Royal Fathers, the custodians of our great culture, the respect and dignity they deserve. In line with this, the present administration formally inaugurated the Akpabuyo Traditional Rulers Committee with Etinyin J. L. E. Duke, emerging its first Chairman.

The Akpabuyo at 33 today has Investment Company Limited (AICO) which was established and incorporated to break the monopoly of the existing capital market, diversify from over dependence on the Federal Allocation, create investment, generate additional revenue and also provide employment opportunities for Cross Riverians.

The Akpabuyo Investment Company (AICO) is a holdings company, with the following subsidiaries: Farms and Estate Development, Transport Services, Finance Investment and Business Development, Energy and allied matters. Hence, the establishment of the Petrol Station to be commissioned later this year.

COMMERCE
Services provided by the company include provision of short-term loans, local purchase orders (LPOs) financing with minimum interest. Management of Akpabuyo Transport Service (ATS) which has four (4) bran new Peugeot Boxer buses in its fleet. This is to ameliorate the suffering of our people. To enhance the operation of the company, a befitting office, christened “The Investment House” was constructed and commissioned on the 18th April, 2000. It will be the fulcrum on which the economic activities of the Council shall resolve. The company has well over sixty (60) staff in its employ comprising of indigenes and non-indigenes of Akpabuyo. The Akpabuyo Investment Company Limited (AICO) is situated at Ikot Nakanda, the Council Headquarters

WATER
Even though Akpabuyo is an island, good drinking water has been a problem in the past. During the tenure of the present administration, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in conjunction with the Cross River State Basin Development Authority, had commissioned the Esighi, Idebe and Ikang Water Schemes. These projects were commissioned by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and the Minister of State respectively. The Cross River State Government led by his Excellency the Governor of Cross River State has sunk several boreholes in various communities,thereby bringing potable drinking water to the people of Akpabuyo, who were in dire need of it.

AGRICULTURE
Akpabuyo is blessed with several agricultural economic products e.g palm trees, cassava, kola, coconuts all in large quantities including crude oil reserves. the government of Cross River State is also keen in providing food security in Akpabuyo.

INFORMATION
Aware of the global importance attached to Information Technology and the importance of a good information network as the live wire of any organization, this administration has procured modern information equipments which include four (4) computers and accessories, close circuit monitor, complete public address system, cinema unit, Intercom System to ease administration and productivity of staff as well as Mobile Radio System, there is also a proposal to sponsor some indigenes of Akpabuyo on ICT internship by Mr David Hakim Rageh an ICT expert based in the United kingdom. And also a one time aspiring member for the Akpabuyo State constituency.

EDUCATION
In the education sector, we have some distinguished elite Sons and daughters of Akpabuyo in the likes of Professor Francisca Bassey of Etomkpe yellow Duke, an astute professor of Organic Chemistry, she has sponsored some students both undergraduates and post graduates students.Her determination to ensure qualitative education at the grassroots is worthy of accolades.
Akpabuyo also boost of the first private University (Authur Jarvis University) and hospital established by Dr Arthur Jarvis Dan Archibong.
Akpabuyo has also produced an SUG president of the university of Calabar in person of comrade Ekpo tete.

HEALTH
The Health sector has also received a boost, through the provision of hospital equipment to all the Health Centres in Akpabuyo. Again, all the National Immunization Days (NIDs) have been adequately carried out in the Local Government Area.

The chronicle will be incomplete without due mention of the cordial relationship that exists between the Government and the people of Akpabuyo. in recognition of the contribution of some indigenes to the development and creation of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, e.g is the donation of a proposed healthcare center by late chief Umo Etim okon’s family in Etomkpe yellow still under construction this facility is being spearheaded by Dr Lawrence Umo a reknown medical consultant based in the United kingdom, this facility if completed is meant to provide primary health care to all in Akpabuyo.

SECURITY
his Excellency the Governor of cross River State, Sen Prince Bassey Otu whose main priority was to ensure the bad entities in Akpabuyo are been eradicated in its entirety, Akpabuyo is once again a peaceful city away from the stigma of kidnapping and all other bad vices.
happy 33 anniversary to the land of my birth
Yours sincerely

Asuquo Umo Etim.
AKA Eskor.