By Mfonobong Ukpong
There was excitement today at Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, as the Second phase of the ARISE Food Security program of the Akwa Ibom State government kicked off in the area, where over thousands of vulnerable persons smiled home with food items.
Food items including, Rice and Garri were distributed at the Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nnung Udoe, as beneficiaries drawn from all the wards in local government area whose names are documented in the social register, filed out to receive their food items.
A truck load of food items from the Akwa Ibom Bulk Purchase Agency was stationed at the school premises, as staff of the agency assisted by Ward PA’s of the governor and other Ibesikpo Asutan leaders including, the ChairLady of the local government area, Mrs. Akon Michael Asuquo, House of Assembly Member for the area, Hon. Ubong Attah, former Council Chairman and stake-holder, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, youth leader and Chairmanship candidate of the PDP in Ibesikpo-Asutan, Hon. Edidiong Joseph Inyang, were on hand to ensure a smooth and peaceful distribution process at the venue.
Also on hand to monitor the distribution process were the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Bulk Purchase Agency, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan, Media Consultant to the Governor, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology, Prof . Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, as well as the General Manager of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim.
Addressing the beneficiaries shortly before the flag-off of the distribution exercise, Chairman of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan explained that the exercise was in furtherance of the food security program of Governor Umo Eno, which has entered phase 2, with Ibesikpo Asutan being the first port of call. He enjoined them to follow the process in an orderly manner, as everyone would be attended to.
a Political chieftain in Ibesikpo-Asutan, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, Council Transition Chairman, Mrs. Akon Asuquo, Chairmanship candidate, Hon. Edidiong Inyang (Murphy) and the House of Assembly Member for the area, Pastor Ubong Attah, who also double as Chairman, House of Assembly committee on Agriculture praised Governor Umo Eno for his compassionate disposition as a Leader of the State, saying the food intervention programme came at the right time. They pledged the continuous support of Ibesikpo Asutan people to his administration.
Receiving the food items, the beneficiaries praised Governor Umo Eno for being a promise keeper, saying the food came at the right time, and prayed God to continue to imbue the Governor and his team with wisdom, the enablement and grace in piloting affairs of the State.
The food truck will move to Etim -Ekpo Local Government Area tomorrow, Tuesday 17th September 2024.
