Tag: #Peter Akpanke

The recent spate of violence in Belegete has left thousands of families and households displaced. Worried by these unfortunate eventualities in his Federal Constituency, The member representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku, Hon. Peter Akpanke, earlier today, visited the displaced people of Belegete Community who are currently seeking refuge at the Obudu Mountain Resort, to provide succor and render necessary assistance.

Hon. Akpanke was in Becheve to commiserate with the victims. He encouraged them not to lose hope as he would continue to seek necessary government interventions to ensure peace is restored to their troubled communities.

He expressed worry over the crisis that has bedeviled the community, explaining how concerned he is to learn about the destruction of lives and properties and the unfortunate death of the Clan Head.

Mr. Nda Ferdinand On behalf of the displaced Community, commended Hon. Akpanke’s gesture. He described the Honorable Member as a compassionate leader who has a passion for humanity and promised fair sharing and disbursement among victims of the items provided by the lawmaker.

The Rock is Solid.

By Elijah Ugani 

The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Peter Akpanke has moved a motion to investigate the indiscriminate issuance of certificate of no objection by the Bereau of Public Procurement and non-compliance with the mandatory post-procurement audit.

The lawmaker who brought the motion under matter of urgent public importance, noted that, “by the Provisions of the Sections 6 (1)(c) and 16 (1) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Bureau of Public procurement (BPP) is authorized to issue a certificate of no objection to contracts awarded by relevant procurement entity;
Also notes that the powers vested in the Bureau of Public Procurement are aimed at ensuring that the letters and spirit of the Public Procurement Act are compiled with, the government gets value for money, contracts awarded are within relevant thresholds backed by budgetary allocation”.

Speaking further, Hon Akpanke averred that “the Bureau of Public Procurement has failed to comply with the mandatory post-procurement audit as required by Section 5(p) of the Public Procurement Act 2007”.

He further observed that “the Bureau has consistently engaged in under-hand dealings in the grant of “certificate of no objection” thus abusing the power to make pecuniary gains and increasing incidences of the abandoned and failed projects across the country”.

Akpanke maintained that “such gross abuses and violation of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 has been exasperated by the recent increase in arbitrary nomination to procuring entities of winners for tendering processes and where the procuring entity declines, the process is interjected and frustrated in bad faith and for flimsy reasons”.

Hon Akpanke expressed worries that “if urgent steps are not taken to investigate the allegations and address any proven infractions, the Bureau of Public Procurement is likely to transform itself from a regulator to a disruptor and eventually endanger the entire public procurement system”.

He called on the Speaker to “mandate the Committee on Public Procurement to investigate the above allegations and report back within six(6) weeks for legislative action; and
Also mandate the Committee on Public Procurement to consider the Biannual reports submitted in the last six years and make their findings known to the public”.

In the February 2023 general elections, the people of Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu Federal Constituency (OBO) ushered a new dawn when they signed a social contract with Hon. Peter Akpanke by massively electing him as their Representative in the Green Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly.  His victory came as a product of hope from his campaign promises for an effective, responsive and active people’s-oriented representation that will give priority to the wellbeing of his constituents.

Admittedly, the first 100 days in a four-year term is too short to assess the performance of a legislator, especially when he/she has not taken part in the making/implementation of a budget. Nevertheless, the tradition introduced by the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1932 has become a tradition among public office holders. Hon. Peter Akpanke assumed office as member of the 10th assembly with a sense of urgency and has done the following within the first 100 days in office.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS/PARTNERSHIP
To achieve the goals of offering a people’s-oriented representation that will drive down the dividends of democracy to his constituents, Hon Peter Akpanke promised to form a strong partnership with the people for the smooth distribution and execution of constituency projects. To achieve this, the MP did the following immediately after his inauguration;

i. Needs Assessment Tour: He embarked on needs assessment tour with elders, stakeholders, youths and opinion molders across the three LGAs of OBO Federal constituency.

ii. On-the-spot assessment of uncompleted and abandoned federal projects in OBO. He is in discussion with the various ministries, departments and agencies to rehabilitate/complete the construction of such projects.

III. On-the-spot assessment of Economic sites like the Obudu Dam Resort, illegal mining sites in Utanga, Obanliku LGA etc. for possible attraction of government’s attention so that royalties could accrue to the host communities.

2. LEGISLATION
The primary function of a House of Reps member is to make laws and sponsor bills. Within the few days of his legislative activities, MP Peter Akpanke has been active on the floor of the House. He has the following motions/bill to his credit;

I. A Motion for the immediate rehabilitation of the abandoned Obudu Dam Resort.

ii. He co-sponsored a motion (with other Cross River law makers) which raised alarm that the country was on the verge of losing some parts of Cross River State to Cameroon.

iii. He presented a petition on the floor of the House from some constituents who felt that they were unjustly withdrawn from the University of Calabar.

iv. He sponsored a bill for the establishment of a Federal University of Technology in Obanliku, Cross River State.

3. PROJECTS
* Installation of solar street lights in some communities in Obanliku LGA.
* Construction of solar powered borehole in Sankwala Market.
* Distribution of hand pumps and herbicides to farmers in Obudu LGA.
* Distribution of sewing machines and motorbikes to selected constituents in Obudu
* Construction of solar powered borehole at Obudu Central Market (Old Park)
* Distribution of sewing machines and motorcycles to selected beneficiaries in Bekwarra LGA
* Construction of solar borehole and toilet in Bekwarra Motor Park.
* Distribution of hand pumps and herbicides to farmers in Bekwarra
* Distribution of hand pumps, herbicides and liquid fertilizers to Obanliku female farmers
* Entrepreneurial training/empowerment of young ladies in hair dressing and makeup business in Obanliku LGA
* Distribution of motorbikes to 20 Obanliku youths
*Entrepreneurship training and distribution of hair-making and makeup kits for hair stylists in Obudu

4. AIDS AND INTERVENTIONS
* Launching of the Akpanke Health Scheme for the benefit of his constituents
* Distribution of food stuffs to about 200 widows across the ten wards of Obudu
*Payment of hospital bills for patients in Bekwarra General Hospital
* Payment of hospital bills for the less-privileged in different hospitals across Obudu
*Distribution of food items to widows across the political wards of Obanliku LGA
*Distribution of food stuffs to over 200 widows and people living with disabilities in the 10 wards of Bekwarra
* Distribution of incentives, gift packages and cash to constituents, unions and associations across Obanliku, Obudu and Bekwarra LGA for new yam celebrations
* Timely response to the collapsed of Kafa-Bridge linking Lishiche/Shikpeche and eight other communities of Bishiri North and South where he sponsored temporary paths while waiting for the relevant government agencies to commence rebuilding work on the collapsed bridge.

JOB CREATION
Hon Akpanke has within the short time in office facilitated jobs for several constituents, the last being 5 of his constituents that are currently undergoing training in NDLEA camps and 2 of his constituents who have resum work at the Federal College of Education,Obudu

CONCLUSION
It is evident that the first 100 days of Hon. Peter Akpanke in the House of Reps have been quite impactful and promising. The MP has no plans of slowing down in his quest to deliver the dividends of democracy to OBO Federal constituency. He is determined to leave no stone unturned until he delivers on his campaign promises of harnessing opportunities for his constituents, emancipate women, empower youths, support children education and better the lot of his people.  The MP admonish all his constituents to remain steadfast and continue to pray for him as he continues to put their interest first.

Once again, welcome to a new dawn in OBO

Awade Friday
SSA Media and Publicity to Hon Peter Akpanke

By Awade Friday 

The Member Representing Obanliku, Bekwarra and Obudu Federal Constituency, celebrates the Obudu New Yam festival with members of different union at the park in Obudu, Local Government.

The Representatives of the Different Union from Drivers, Cyclist, Hunters, The Collabo Association, Hair Dressers, Phone Repairers, Technicians, Tailors, Mechanics etc who came out in their Numbers to receive Hon. Peter Akpanke expressed gratitude over his show of Support and interest towards the Celebration of Obudu New Yam.

In his address, Hon Akpanke thanked the different Union for their support during the Elections and reassured them of his Continuous availability and show of interest towards their Growth and Development as his constituents.

Hon Akpanke’s continuous participation in the Obudu New Yam festival over the years, Demonstrates his love and respect for the cultural heritage of his people. His willingness to celebrate with the people and support their cultural activities is a clear indication of his leadership style, which is grounded in empathy, humility, and service to the people.

By Awade Friday 

The Member representing Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu Federal Constituency, Chief Hon Peter Akpanke, has drawn the attention of both the federal government and other companies involved to the deplorable state of the Ikom-Obudu highway.

Hon Akpanke made the call during a thanksgiving Ceremony in his honor held at his hometown, Keting, Obanliku Local Government Area, on Sunday, 27th August, 2023.

The member of Parliament stressed the importance of the road being the only link between the central and northern part of the state which connects the Obudu Cattle Ranch, that serves as the most attractive tourist destination of Cross River State.

Akpanke noted that Leophina Construction Limited, a company that belongs to former Gov Ben Ayade, was awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the road and wondered why the company should abandon the road project considering the importance of the road to the economic development of his constituents.

Hon. Akpanke averred that “It has become imperative for Leophina Works Limited and other companies that were awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of the road to return to site and work in compliance with the contracts that were awarded to them.

“The Ikom-Obudu road is a crucial transportation and communication link between the north and south of Nigeria. It plays an important part in the prosperity of commerce, tourism, and social interactions among diverse ethnic and political groups in the Benue-Cross River region of Nigeria”.

Speaking further, the lawmaker noted that the road has become impassable for motorists which makes commuters traveling from Calabar to Obudu and Obanliku to use Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu-Obanliku road.

Akpanke noted that traveling through Ogoja to Obudu and back to Obanliku has had very negative effect on his constituents considering the cost of transportation in view of the subsidy removal.

“Unfortunately, the road has deteriorated to the extent that it has become a death trap to motorists and pedestrians who are constrained by the lack of an alternative route to still use the road. Most often, commuters traveling from Calabar to Obudu and Obanliku, has to use the Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu-Obanliku road which makes them pay almost twice the transport fare they initially were supposed to have paid”. He added.

Hon. Akpanke assured his constituents that he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the contractors execute the contract to specification. “If this is the only thing I will do to ensure that we get the contractors back to site and fix the road, I wouldn’t mind. We will continue to call government attention to this project and ensure that the contractors return to site and execute the project to specification”.

By Elijah Ugani 

The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku, Hon Peter Akpanke becomes the first reps member in the history of Cross River to commission projects for his constituents within his first 100 days in office being his first term in office.

The lawmaker took to his verified Facebook page Peter Akpanke to announce that as part of activities to celebrate his thanksgiving, he commissioned two solar powered boreholes and ultra modern toilets in Obudu and Sankwala markets.

The statement reads in parts “As part of the activities to celebrate my thanksgiving, My wife and I in company of a few friends, chiefs, Family and supporters commissioned two solar powered boreholes and ultra modern toilets in Obudu and Sankwala markets.

“The solar powered boreholes and toilets were part of my campaign promises to our market women and I thank the Almighty God for giving me the enablement to see the projects to completion at such a short time”.

Hon Akpanke commenced the projects at the two locations simultaneously before he was inaugurated.

Recall also that Hon Peter Akpanke was the first lawmaker in the 10th National Assembly to undertake a needs assessment using the focus group discussion approach.

By Elijah Ugani 

The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Chief Peter Akpanke has reiterated his commitment to offer effective representation to his constituents whose mandate he holds.

Akpanke made the disclosure during a thanksgiving mass held in his honor on August 27th 2023 in home town, St Peter’s Catholic Church, Keting, Obanliku Local Government Area.

The lawmaker noted that it was only very necessary to return to God in thanksgiving having used his constituents to raise and defended his course during the last general elections.

In his words “I don’t know, belong or worship anything other than God. I say this in the alter of God. My party conducted primaries thrice and I won. Our first primaries was marred by violence where a police officer lost his life. We were subjected to thorough security checks at the entrance, but when one of the aspirants came in, violence erupted, one of the supporters of that my opponent, removed a gun and pointed at one of my supporters, how the bullets went the direction of the corps, remained a mystery. We were detained and statements obtained. The truth is in the public.

“I was singled out by the government of Sen Ben Ayade. I was charged to court on a matter that confessional statements were obtained from a suspect that was never linked to me. The court struck out the matter for lack of merit. Trump up charges were brought against and I was declared wanted, and I never campaigned because I ran away. They sent thugs to attack my house, my state party Chairman was not spared, my elder brother’s house was vandalized. Most of my supporters were also attacked. In all of these, God found me worthy to represent my people and sent his Angels to the hearts of my constituents. I only sneaked in to vote the eve of the election. When results were turning in, every polling unit, De Rock. That is why I am here to say thank you God for all he has done for me.

“One of the major things I promised to do is to ensure that the ministry of works compel the contractors that handled the Ikom – Obudu highway to return to site. The road is impassable.
Former Gov Ben Ayade’s company, Leophina construction company was handling the project, we will stop at nothing to ensure that the road is done and I know that I have your mandate to demand that this road be done.

“I want to assure you that I will deliver my campaign promises. Infact I have started already. I drilled a borehole at the Obudu main market, given five persons jobs at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and two persons at the Federal College of Education, Obudu. I will give our youth jobs. Please wherever you see that they are giving jobs, go and apply, if they ask you who is your sponsor, tell that Hon Peter Akpanke is your sponsor.

“I have no place in my heart to harbor grudges against anybody. All those that chastised me, I have forgiven them and I have also prayed that God should forgive them. Whether you supported me or not, elections are over, we will work together to better our federal constituency”.

Hon Akpanke noted that his pet project, The Akpanke Foundation built the St Peter’s Catholic Church, Keting in his community and he had promised God that if he wins election, he was going to build more Churches. He used the opportunity to announce that he will complete the Church in the parish centre.

Speaking further, Akpanke noted that his business for now is how to serve his people and not second term. “I hear people talk about second term. At the moment, I have a covenant with my constituents to deliver the dividends of democracy to them and I will do it to the best of my ability. When that time comes, if God and my people find me worthy to continue the representation, good, if they don’t, I will leave honorably”.

On his part, the Chief celebrant of the mass, the most Rev Donatus Edet Akpan, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, urged Hon Peter Akpanke and other representatives at various level to deploy and use the aggression that made the Senate President, Sen Akpabio, to develop Akwa Ibom state when he was governor, to bring development to our dear country Nigeria.

Bishop Akpan charged Hon Peter Akpanke to always remember his people and God since he has declared that his source of strength comes from God.

Prominent dignitaries at the was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbass, Hon Mark Obeta, Hon Chijoke Okereke, Hon peter Anekwe, Hon Godwin Offiono and other members. The state party Chairman, Mr Vena Ikem Esq, led his party, the PDP to the event. The immediate past House of Representatives member for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku, Hon Legor Idagbo was represented, Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, AIG Susan Hasfall, Chapter Chairmen and members of the All Progressive Congress APC, Chapter Chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party PDP and supporters as well as friends and well wishers of Hon Peter Akpanke.

Highlights of the thanksgiving was the fundraising for the completion of the parish centre and group photographs.

By Elijah Ugani 

The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Peter Akpanke has called on both his supporters and that of his friend, Hon Legor Idagbo, his predecessor to let go the conflict that arose from the election that gave him the opportunity to serve.

Akpanke made the call during a thanksgiving mass organized by the Idagbo family at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ikot Ansa, Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Speaking during the event, Akpanke noted that
“Legor has always been there for me, even when I call him at midnight, he still takes my calls and puts me through. If you are my Supporter and you are having issues with Legor or his supporters I will advise that you let it go because I and Legor are not quarrelling. On the other hand, if you are Legor’s supporter and you have issues with me or any of my supporters, please let it die because me and Legor are not fighting, we are brothers, and party affiliation will not separate us”

Akpanke expressed deep admiration for his predecessor, Hon Legor Idagbo, and lauded him for his maturity and display of affection.

He extolled Idagbo’s noteworthy contributions to the political landscape of Cross River State, and recounted unprecedented approach he brought to politics. “My friend graciously called to congratulate me after the election results were announced, pledging not to pursue legal action, a promise he kept”.

Akpanke used the opportunity to express appreciation for Idagbo’s unwavering support since assumption of office as the new Member of Parliament for the Federal Constituency, noting that Legor Idagbo has consistently offered guidance and assistance whenever needed.

On his part, Hon Legor Idagbo, reflected on his political journey, and expressed gratitude to God having provided him with numerous opportunities to serve the people. The Idagbo’s used the thanksgiving to acknowledge God’s blessings for his younger brother, who marks 18th priestly anniversary in the Lord’s vineyard.

The homilist, Rev. Father Bob Emmanuel urged the congregation to practice forgiveness, as God continually forgives their own trespasses.

The Member representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Akpanke, has called on his colleagues to look into the abandoned delapidated Obudu Dam Project.

According to the MP, the Obudu Dam resort is a facility that not only supplies water to over 60,000 people in its vicinity but also offers recreational activities. Unfortunately, the resort was flooded in 2005, prompting the Cross River State Government to secure funding from the International Development Agency (IDA) for its rehabilitation.

Hon. Akpanke emphasized that restoring the dam would have multiple benefits, including facilitating irrigation on approximately 100 hectares of agricultural land, boosting fisheries, and promoting tourism in the northern part of the state.

The motion which was sponsored by Hon. Akpanke, followed the recent assessment of the facility during a needs assessment tour of the federal constituency, and was seconded by Hon. Umar Usman Ajilo, representing Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency.

The House mandated the committee on water resources (When constituted) to investigate why the contracts where abandoned and report back to the house within four weeks for further legislative actions.

Awade Friday
SSA Media and Publicity to Hon. Peter Akpanke.