Akamkpa Local Government Area
Akamkpa Local Government Area is in the Central Senatorial District and was created in 1976. It has a land mass of 4,300 square kilometres, and is bounded by Odukpani and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas to the west and south, Biase and Yakurr Local government Areas to the north west. Ikom and Etung Local government Areas to the north, and the Republic of Cameroon to the west.
There are ten wards in the local government area, viz.:
- Akamkpa Urban
- Uyanga
- Ikpi
- Awi
- Mbarakom
- Ojuk South
- Ojuk North
- Oban
- Eku
- Iko
PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE
There are two main ethnic groups in the Local Government Area, the Ejagham and Dusauga Iyong Iyong people, who speak Ejagham and Iyong Iyong languages. English and Efik languages are also widely used for commercial and other social interactions, while Christianity is the predominant religion in the area.
POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION
The Local Government Area comprises 260 villages grouped under 30 clans for political and administrative convenience.
RESOURCES
AGRICULTURAL
With the largest forest area in the state and a very fertile land, watered by many rivers, streams and springs, the people are mostly agrarian. There are a number of agricultural estates in the area. Some of these are:
With the largest forest area in the state and a very fertile land, watered by many rivers, streams and springs, the people are mostly agrarian. There are a number of agricultural estates in the area. Some of these are:
- Kwa Fall Oil Palm Estate
- Ayip Eku Oil Palm Estate
- Crel Rubber Estate
- Calaro Oil Palm Estates
There is also a vast tract of reserved forest and gmelina and other pulp wood plantation, as well as privately owned rubber, oil palm and cocoa plantations and other forest products that are essential for industrial development of the entire state and country.
MINERALS
Apart from the abundance of granite rocks which has led to the establishment of many quarrying companies on Old Metim and Obung, there are said to abound other solid minerals like limestone kaolin and others yet to be exploited.
Apart from the abundance of granite rocks which has led to the establishment of many quarrying companies on Old Metim and Obung, there are said to abound other solid minerals like limestone kaolin and others yet to be exploited.
 |
| Lebuko New-Yam Festival |
 |
| Akamkpa traditional wedding |
INVESTMENT POTENTIALS
Akamkpa Local Government Area offers vast potentials for investment in agro-based industries, tourism, education and research into secondary uses of these products.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
There are many Secondary Schools, a Science School and a College of Education in the area, but a tertiary Institution is yet to be established.
There are many Secondary Schools, a Science School and a College of Education in the area, but a tertiary Institution is yet to be established.
HEALTH INSTITUTIONS
The Local Government Area is serviced by health centres spread over the entire area, a primary health centre at Oban and a General Hospital at the headquarters, and several private health clinics.
The Local Government Area is serviced by health centres spread over the entire area, a primary health centre at Oban and a General Hospital at the headquarters, and several private health clinics.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Local Government Area has several trunk A roads and may access roads linking the various villages are connected to the national (NEPA) grid, while headquarters will soon enjoy good water supply through the state rural water scheme. But the area is yet to enjoy telephone services.
The Local Government Area has several trunk A roads and may access roads linking the various villages are connected to the national (NEPA) grid, while headquarters will soon enjoy good water supply through the state rural water scheme. But the area is yet to enjoy telephone services.
PROJECTS
In the area of development, the council has undertaken a number of projects, some of which have been completed while others are ongoing.
In the area of development, the council has undertaken a number of projects, some of which have been completed while others are ongoing.
Among the projects are takeover and completion of a block of six offices at St. John's Nursery School, Akamkpa, completion of six classroom block at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Aningeje, and the rehabilitation of St. John's Primary School Assembly Hall, Uyanga.
Contracts were awarded for the construction of four classroom blocks at Ekong Anaku, two sets of 3 classroom blocks each at Technical Comprehensive School, Mbeban, and three classroom blocks at Mbobui.
Apart from enhancing physical structures in the educational sector, it also provided financial assistance to secondary school students by paying their WAEC examination fees, increasing the amount paid as bursary to students in tertiary institutions, assisted financially towards the completion of their projects, and also sponsored indigenous students offering courses in specialised fields of study in tertiary institutions.
In the health sector, the council rehabilitated the equipment in the drug store and the National Immunization cold room to enhance the operation of the National Programme on Immunization.
Funds was provided to the Primary Health Care department, to enable it discharge its responsibilities. It constructed new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine at Government School, Akamkpa and Okomita market, and rehabilitated others at Ikot Esai, Iko Ekperem and Uyanga.
The Council also purchased and distributed medical equipment and drugs to health centres in the area, introduced mobile health clinic to complement services in the health centres, and established new health centres at Awi, Ekuri, Njaachang, Ekong Anaku, Neghe and Njaye.
The council has so far rehabilitated 30 boreholes in the ten wards in the Local government Area, reactivated one borehole at the council premises, and drilled one 9 inch diameter borehole, fitted with submersible pump and an overhead tank at the chairman's quarters in the Base Camp.
The council also awarded contract for drilling of four boreholes fitted with hand pumps at Aningeje, mile 29 village, Oban Extension, and Housing Estate, Akamkpa.
In order to ease the problems faced by commuters the council undertook grading of a 15 kilometre road to Okara, 7 kilometre road to Neghe, and the access roads in Akamkpa Urban Akamkpa Nsan.
Culverts were also constructed along Iwuru Akwa-Ibami road, Iko Ekperem Iko Essai road, while bridges were constructed along Okopedi and Efefiom streams in Akwa Ibami road.
To further boost the development of agriculture in the area, the council provided, and prepared 54 hectares of land at Uyanga for the State Pineapple Project. It also took delivery of 7,000 oil palm seedlings from NIFOR, Benin, for raising of palm nursery for distribution to farmers at subsidized rates.
The council is also awaiting the delivery of 10,000 cocoa seedlings from The Cocoa Research Institute, Ibadan. the council has equally serviced its farm machines to facilitate work at the pineapple farm, and also to assist local farmers through hiring services.
To facilitate work and enhance security within and beyond the council premises, the council repaired its 2500KVA generator soon after assumption of office, to provide electricity. It also concluded arrangement to repair the 550 KVA generating plant at Oban.
To boost commercial activities in the area, the council has facilitated the establishment of Akamkpa Community Bank, as well as expansion and rehabilitation of markets in the area.
In its bid to ease transportation problem in the area, the council had taken delivery of three mass transit buses, and 30 NY 150 motorcycles for hire to members of the public. This is in addition to existing council fleet. The council is also in the process of linking the headquarters to the outside world through Long Range Mobile Cellular Phone, the installation of Satellite Television, and the setting up of complete information unit.
In the area of general administration, the council has restructured and furnished the Chairman's, Vice Chairman's the Secretary's and Special Advisers' offices. It has also rehabilitated and finished the Council Hall, the administrative and Treasury blocks to provide conducive working environment for both political office holders and staff.
The council purchased a 504 Bestline Saloon car for the Chairman, refurbished four cars for key functionaries of the council, and also bought a bus for use of the Legislative Council.
The council also established very cordial relationship with staff through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, assistance to needy staff, and continuous staff training programmes.
Priority is also placed on the welfare of the Traditional Rulers through the prompt payment of their allowance and settlement of bills.
His Royal Highness (HRH) Ntufam G. E. O. Itokem I is the Village Head of Oban and Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa Local Government Area. He is by virtue of his position a member of the state Traditional Rulers' Council.
Sparqlzzz tv.
0 comments: