Itoro Columba Constructs, Names Abattoir After Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel

By Ededet Nyong

In a bid to improve the hygienic conditions as well as the general health of the people of Ntippe Ibibio, the Chairman, Ikono Local Government Caretaker Committee, Mr. Itoro Columba has constructed a mini-abattoir in one of the most thriving markets in the area, the Obo daily market.

Performing the inauguration of the mini-abattoir which was built in her honour, the wife of the State Governor, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel appreciated the Ikono Local Council Chairmen for taking interest in the healthy living of the natives of the area. She revealed that the mini-abattoir would help in the hygienic packaging and preparation of meat consumed in the local government and beyond.

The First Lady who was represented at the event by the Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet further stated that the construction of the abattoir was a bold demonstration of the leadership capacity of the Ikono Council boss. She called on the natives of Ntippe Ibibio to cue behind him for more democratic deliverables. “If amidst the paucity of funds, your Council Chairman could think well of you and build this abattoir, then he can be entrusted with more responsibilities”, the First Lady’s representative told the crowd of elated Ntippe Ibibio market women and natives who had thronged the event venue.

Speaking earlier, the super performing Ikono Council Chairman expressed his delight at being able to follow the footsteps of his political father and boss, the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in impacting on the lives of his people. He said, “In tune with my strong belief and conviction that a son must necessarily take after the father, I am striving to emulate my political father and boss, the State Governor in positively impacting on my people.” The Council boss then reeled out his achievements in his six month reign to include the reconstruction of two blocks of 24 open market sheds in the Urua Edet Mbat, the facilitation of an electricity transformer for Idoro Ediene community, the regular hosting of the Ward Sit Out on Gov Udom Emmanuel, among others. He revealed that he was not resting on his oars as he would in the next few weeks embark on the construction of an ultra-modern motor park in the Nung Udoe Itak axis of the local government.

On the mini-abattoir, the Council Chairman said he was moved by the unhealthy work conditions there to construct a modern abattoir for the local butchers and traders of the area. He revealed that “the abattoir was a product of the strong synergy between the Council and the Obo Market Committee” as he had “keyed into the philosophy of the State Governor to leverage on his contacts to create the funds needed to embark on the project.” He further stated that the Council decided to dedicate the abattoir to the First Lady because of her unrivalled and unbridled passion to the betterment of the lives of the women, widows and less privileged members of the society.

As is now customary to events held in Ikono Local Government area, the Ntippe Ibibio people on the prompting of their Council Chairman overwhelmingly passed a vote of confidence on the Governor and another motion for him to remain in Hiltop mansion up until 2013. The Council Chairman further indicated that the people of Ntippe Ibibio had early resolved “to swim and float with the Governor for eight years”, positing that Eket Senatorial District like the other senatorial districts before it deserved a second bite of the Governorship cherry.

Also speaking, the PDP Chapter Chairman, Ikono local government area, Chief (Barr) Moses Ekpo expressed the unreserved appreciation of the entire PDP machinery in the local government to their beloved party man and super performing chairman, Mr Itoro Columba. He said that the inauguration of the abattoir and other projects executed in the area had vindicated the state Governor’s choice of Mr. Columba as Chairman, Ikono Caretaker Committee. He pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the party to the state Governor and state Party Leader as well as their total support to the Caretaker Chairman.

Others who spoke at the inauguration of the mini-abattoir were the Secretary of Council, Barr Ekemini Uba, Supervisor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Kenny Inyang Eka, the Chairman, Obo market Committee, Mr. Aniefiok Essien, the Eteidung of Mbioku Ikot Edung, on behalf of the benefitting communities of Iton, Mbioku Ikot Edung, Oduk, Itak Ikot Akpan Ndem and Ndinya Mfia, Eteidung Okon Ekpo, the Managing Director, Akwa Ibom Treasure Thrift and Co-operative Association, Mr. King Ntuen and the Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Effiong Enang Etok. They all eulogized their action soaked Council boss for constructing the abattoir and urged the beneficiaries to take good care of their end of the year gift. The event was graced by a cross section of elders, women, youths, Market Women Association members etc.