2023: Southern Iman Ward 2 villages decry marginalisation
Following the successful completion of a tour of villages in Northern Iman Ward 1 and Southern Iman Ward 3, House of Representatives Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Etinan Federal Constituency, Hon. Ubong Iyoho, and the YPP House of Assembly Candidate for Etinan State Constituency, Barr Paul Gibson George, on Thursday, led members of their respective campaign organizations on a tour of villages in Southern Iman Ward 2.
Villages visited were Ikot Mfon, Ikot Ese, Ikot Ibok, Ikot Umiang Ide, Ikot Esen Oku, Ikot Obio Ekah, and Ikot Nte – where Barr George hails from.
The delegation comprises two candidates, the chapter chairman of YPP, Hon. Nkese Ekpot; Director General of Hon. Ubong Iyoho campaign organization, Mr Kenneth Lawson; Director General of Barr Paul George campaign organization, Hon. Uduak Ekwere; Chapter woman leader of YPP, Hon. Grace Frank; Pastor Obong Monday Timothy Obot, Coordinator, OBA/Amba Support Group, Lagos State Chapter, Hon. Etiese Benson; Etinan LG Coordinator of Rt Hon Usenobong Akpabio Senatorial campaign organization, Mr Etok Ikpong Bassey, and others, first visited the palaces of the respective village heads, before proceeding to respective village council halls to interact with the people.
The villagers decried underdevelopment and marginalization of all communities in Southern Iman Ward 2, and appealed to YPP to salvage them after clinching power in the general elections.
They passed a vote-of-no confidence on the PDP-led administration in Etinan and Akwa Ibom State, saying despite always voting for the party since 1999, PDP has offered them nothing.
The villages highlighted the lack of social amenities as a major problem.
They also complained that apart from councillorship which is statutory, the ward has always been denied the chance of producing elective public officials, or even government appointees at all levels of government.
The two candidates pledged to assist in alleviating the plight of the communities through the provision of social amenities, massive empowerment, issuance of scholarships, sponsorship of germane Bills that will accelerate development, and attracting federal and state projects to the area.
The candidates assured the communities of YPP’s resolve to entrench people-oriented and impactful governance in Akwa Ibom State. They also donated delivery packs to pregnant women in the villages.
The tour continues today, Friday, with visits to villages in Urban III and Urban IV of Etinan.
