100 Days in Office: Ukanafun Council Chairman Records Feat in Infrastructure, Healthcare
By Ekemini Simon
The Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Council, Hon. Prince Uyo Ukpanah has offered insight into the feat recorded by his administration in the last 100 days in office.
Leading journalists on the assessment tour of his projects at the council Secretariat on Wednesday, it was observed that the Council Chairman had built and painted a five-room apartment with a hall slated to be used as Women Development Centre and a temporary space for the Agricultural Department.
Presenting the Council Chairman, the Secretary of Council, Dr. Ubong Jonah said the project which was a complete overhaul of the existing building was completed within a month in office.
He said within the last 100 days, Hon. Ukpanah’s administration has graded roads across the 13 wards of Ukanafun.
It was also observed that the dilapidated building which before now housed the library was brought down for a new building which the Secretary of Council said will accommodate 24 offices after completion in the next two months.
At the main council building, TheMail Newspaper noticed a complete renovation of the entire offices with new facilities fitted into the offices. Plaster of Paris (POP) replaced old ceilings, modern water cistern toilets and new piping system replaced the non-functional system and old tiles gave way for modern tiles in the offices.
Jonah noted that there are plans by the administration to renovate the present Council Hall and turn it to supervisors offices while the Main Council Hall which the building was constructed by the transition committee will be completed. He also noted that there are plans by the administration to build a befitting Traditional Rulers Council.
The Council Secretary said while the administration sees the first 100 days only as a litmus test, they believe that the performance has afforded the people a glimpse into what the administration holds in stock for the people.
He added “With what is on ground, this administration gives hope that there will be so much light at the end of the tunnel.
“Between the Council and the stakeholders, the generality of the people of the area, ever since the Chairman resumed office, he has maintained a very cordial relationship. The level of political awareness in Ukanafun is very high. Because of the relationship he has maintained, I can say confidently that the people are very happy.
He explained that besides infrastructural development within the council, the administration takes women empowerment seriously hence during early January, the wife of the Chairman had hosted all the women of the area at the Council and it was followed by the donation of business grants and wrappers to women amounting to N2.8 million.
The Secretary of Council said on Youth development, the Council Chairman since he came on board, he has empowered the youths especially ex-militants about three times with business development grants.
Jonah explained that due to their peculiar security situation in the area, the administration has taken security very seriously hence the reason the Council Chairman had ensured the mobility of the Security Joint Taxforce in the area is supported through the repairs of their vehicles and monthly subvention.
He added that the administration had rehabilitated the water facility at Nsekhe community with a plan to reticulate it across villages.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Council, Mrs. Aniekan Owen said the administration has taken seriously its constitutional responsibility of improving primary healthcare in Ukanafun.
She said in the last three months, the Council had sponsored and flagged off Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) and Measles immunization campaigns across the entire healthcare centres in Ukanafun.
She said the administration has also noted drugs to the health center Ikot Akpan Nkuk even as there is a budgetary provision in the 2025 fiscal year for the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres at Nkek as the centre is currently at where rent is paid.
The Vice Chairman said the council had also empowered three multiple birth mothers in support of their business that help them to cater for their children.
Owen said as a strategy to address the suffering of teenage girls who are pregnant, she noted that the Council also plans to train teenagers who are pregnant on different businesses.