Community Leaders to Be Held Accountable for Vandalism of  Public Infrastructure in A’Ibom

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, has tasked community leaders with the security of government assets in their domains, warning that henceforth, the government will hold the leaders accountable for vandalisation of public infrastructure.

Governor Eno gave the task at the funeral service in honour of the deceased Special Representative to former state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, late Elder Samuel Bassey, at the nGovernment Primary School, Afaha Atai in Eket Local Government Area of the state.

He spoke of his commitment to share in the sentiment of the former administration as regards improving facilities in public schools across the state. The governor pledged to adopt the trajectory fencing of schools and engage security personnel from the host communities to protect public infrastructure on the recommendations of village heads and youth leaders to allow community leaders to take full responsibility for government installations in schools and other public places.

According to him, “Every village should rise up to protect assets that the government will put in their communities. That’s the only way to encourage us to do more.

“We believe that fencing these schools will help protect the assets in the schools. So not only do we want to fence the schools, there will be a security house, and the state Commissioner for Internal Security will work with the village to employ two security men.

“So,  please, as we will fence the school, build security house for you, engage security men, and build solar panels to give you light in that place, please protect the facilities.

“Also know that to whom much is given, much is expected.”

The governor conveyed the condolences of the government and people of the state to the bereaved family and United Evangelical Church over the death of Elder Bassey, assuring the family of the government’s support at all times.

Also, the immediate-past Governor, Emmanuel, described the late Bassey as a good man, a friend, and a brother, adding that in many ways, the deceased had proved himself a dependable ally, and that his death is coming too early, was a star deemed in its prime.

Emmanuel said the death has only ended the life of “Ba”, as he fondly called him, but not his relationship with the family, and bade his soul goodbye, expressing optimism of meeting with him on the resurrection morning.

Delivering a sermon on the topic: ‘The Certainty and Uncertainty of Death’, culled from Genesis 27:1-10, the Chairman of the Conference of the United Evangelical Church, Rev. Dr. Samuel Ebukiba, admonished that death for every living is a certainty, but the time it will come remains uncertain, advising that no one should allow the opportunity to receive God’s salvation to pass them by.”