The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Waheed Ayilara has called on organisers of the planned nationwide protest to furnish the Command with information on routes and places of convergence for adequate security.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, conveyed the message of the Commissioner in a statement issued in Uyo.
John added that the call by the Police boss was in compliance with the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun's directive to all police commands for the purpose of security arrangements before the commencement of the protest.
She said the commissioner of police warned against possible hijack of the protest by hoodlums.
"In view of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for Aug. 1 to Aug. 10 tagged; "END BAD GOVERNANCE."
"The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun. That all organisers of the protest give details of their activities to their respective Police Commands for the purpose of security arrangements before the commencement date.
"To submit the following details of their activities to the office of the Command Public Relations Officer.
"The proposed assembling point and routes, expected duration of the protest, names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers and measures to prevent hijack by criminal elements," she said.
John urged both the organisers and those embarking on the protest, to cooperate with the Police, towards ensuring that the proposed protest is carried out peacefully, without being hijacked by unscrupulous persons.
The PPRO assured Akwa Ibom people that the command will spare no resources in ensuring that residents are protected during and after the protest.
She urged those participating in protest to ensure that they maintain the sanctity of public gathering and lawful assembly and avoid acts capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state.
In the meantime, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged youths and residents of the state to maintain peace to enable the state to achieve its economic development plans as outlined in the ARISE Agenda.
Addressing a cross-section of critical stakeholders drawn from youth groups, students, market associations, NLC and TUC, civil society organizations, and others in Uyo, the Governor acknowledged that it is a constitutional right of citizens to assemble and peacefully protest certain acts of government.
He however, appealed that the state will benefit more in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, noting that his administration has made committed efforts to improve the welfare of the people through various interventions.
He stressed that the State's status as one of the most peaceful has attracted tourists and investors.
"Let me also emphasize that we are a peaceful State and we have maintained this hard-won peace over the years. I want to appeal, if at all, you will participate in the planned protest (since youth from a number of States have opted out), to please do so peacefully. You must ensure that miscreants and hoodlums do not hijack your protest.
"The question, however, remains: Should the protest actually take place here, given our people-friendly disposition, our deep and abiding concerns for the welfare of our people, the workers in the public service, the care for the poor and the most vulnerable, our intentional concentration of resources on giving hope to the hopeless, and the ARISE Compassionate Homes we have built.
"We have paid over N22 billion in gratuities to the retired Primary School, Local Government, and State Civil Service retirees and N50 thousand stipends to the elderly in our ARISE Elderly Care Initiative.
"Our free voucher program through our Bulk Purchase Agency has so far touched 314,422 families in the State. The social transfers to the aged, physically challenged, chronically ill, and widows have equally impacted and touched over two hundred thousand beneficiaries drawn from the revised Social Register.
"We have also paid a wage award for three months to cushion the effect of the high cost of living arising from the removal of the fuel subsidy.
"We paid the 13th-month salary tagged ‘Enomber’ last December and, about a month ago, paid 1.1 billion Naira as a bonus to all public service workers to mark the ‘Public Service Week.’ We have commissioned 236 Grace Estate as a fulfillment of the government’s promise to provide low to middle-income housing schemes for civil servants. One hundred fifty of those units are to be given free through a raffle draw after the payment of a N50,000 Expression of Interest. I am informed that the program is ongoing.
"We have released the 2023 promotions and increased the pensions of those who retired before 2012. We have approved the release of the outstanding 7.7 percent Contributory Pension to contributors. The conduct of service-wide examinations in preparation for the 2024 promotions has been approved," he said.
