Ukpong Etin Asido's Giant Strides In 100 Days As Executive Chairman Of Odukpani LGA

Ukpong Etin Asido's Giant Strides In 100 Days As Executive Chairman Of Odukpani LGA

 The council chairman of Odukpani local government area in Cross River State, Rt Hon Ukpong Etim Asido has recorded some giant strides within 100 days in office in the area of security, Education, Health, Human capacity development, empowerment and infrastructure. Some of these achievements are with governor Otu's vision to make cross River State.

PEACE AND SECURITY:

He holds regular security meetings with the service commanders in the Odukpani local government area. This development has increased security patrol in high-risk areas, resulting in a 90% reduction in crime rates in the local government. He also collaborates with local law enforcement agencies with a view to establishing community policing as well as foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the Odukpani community.

To ensure peaceful Co-existence, Etim Asido's holds meetings with the locals to boast internal peace, harmonious relationship and secure environment for all citizens in Odukpani local government area. Asido has also constituted peace and Conflict Resolution Committee headed by the vice chairman Amb. Patricia Iya, with Secretary of the Council, Barr Alex Asuquo, and SA security, Cyril Akom as members. The committee has restored peace to Ekim Ebebit/ Ededem Uyi/Akwa Ekim communities all in Odot Ward; Mbiabo Ikoneto and Ubambat Okoyong in Ikoneto ward and Akamkpa ward; Usung Esuk and Esuk in Ekori Anaku ward; Ikot Ebiti, ObioOkon Nyong and Obionno in Eniong and Eki wards. The committee has met with Netim and Odukpani Qua Town on the issues in Odukpani central ward. All these community engagement foster community participation, promoting social cohesion and collective development.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE 

Asido's administration has demonstrated its commitment to providing quality healthcare services by revitalisation of 3 health centers in Ekori Anaku, Akamkpa and Adiabo Efut wards with the collaborative Efforts of the state government. He has renovated the health centre in Ikoneto ward that was destroyed by the wind. The council has carried out an immunisation programme and made available some vaccines in all the health centres for prevention of diseases in the communities. He has further provided accommodation for all the health workers. He has equally collaborated with healthcare partners including NGOs, National healthcare Agency. The chairman sponsored the 2024 World AIDS day celebration which was held at Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu.

BOOSTING REVENUE FOR DEVELOPMENT 

 To further enhance revenue for the growth of Odukpani local government area, the chairman has set up a revenue committee, which has successfully increased the revenue base of the local government area. Besides, he has overhauled some revenue points to boost an internally generated revenue base. They include Oduyama market in Odukpani central off Calabar Itu Road; goat central market; Ito-sand beach: Globacom Nigeria limited; Willmar haulage Odot; Timber haulage Odukpani central. From the sum of Seventy Four thousand naira only (74,000) as IGR, the council has increased its revenue based to about five million seven hundred and forty thousand naira only (5,740,000).

AGRICULTURE 

In the area of Agriculture, The chairman of Odukpani local government area, Rt. Hon Ukpong Etim Asido, has engaged in some agricultural development to promote agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community development. He has purchased palm seedlings in the local council to enhance agriculture. This palm sprouts will be distributed to all the primary schools in Odukpani local government area to empower the schools and make them financially independent. He has embarked on Palm Sprouts Empowerment Project (PSEP), promoting agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community development by nurturing palm sprouts, empowering primary schools, and generating income for school facilities maintenance. Other project components include Palm Sprouts Nurture, which identifies suitable locations for palm sprouts cultivation, provide necessary resources (seeds, fertilizers, irrigation), and nurture the sprouts until maturity. The Palm Sprouts Empowerment Project (PSEP) offers a unique opportunity for the Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area to promote agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community development. By empowering primary schools and generating income for school facilities maintenance, PSEP fosters a sustainable and impactful initiative. Besides, there is School Adoption Program which partners with primary schools in Odukpani, adopt the matured palm sprouts, and distribute them to the schools. Again, there is School-Based Palm Plantation which establishes palm plantations within the school compounds, with the assistance of school staff, students, and community members.

There is also an entrepreneurship training programme that provides training and guidance to students and school staff on palm fruit harvesting, processing, and marketing while the Market Access facilitates market access for the palm fruits, enabling schools to sell their produce and generate income. Also, the School Facilities Maintenance programme generates income to maintain and improve school facilities and promotes a conducive learning environment.

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Infrastructural development is a crucial aspect of any administration, and achieving significant progress within 100 days in office is a notable feat. Some examples of infrastructural development achieved within this timeframe include grading of 6.5km Road at Usung Ekori-Ikot Adiabo village, grading of 4km DEFRI road by primary school Ikot Adiabo, grading of 2.5km road at Ikot Ekanem Asido, grading of Ukpa Street, and construction of Adiabo Okurikang culvert; renovation of council secretariat, the political block and legislative chambers. CROSIEC office in the council has also been renovated. Boreholes at Ikot Effiong Otop in Ekori/Anaku ward, Ekpri Adiabo in Adiabo Efut ward, Ukpaha-Ata in Adiabo Efut ward, Obio Asim in Odot ward have all been renovated. The council is in the process of restoring PHED in the council and repair of AVI generating set.

CULTURE AND TOURISM 

Chief Ukpong Etim Asido's influence extends beyond politics, as he is a respected traditional leader and title holder, renowned for his participation in various traditional rites. The council participated fully at the 2024 cultural carnival and Cross River State Trade Fair with where Odukpani local government area secured an impressive third-place position.