The member representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Dr. Patrick Umoh has condemned the act of grazing on farmlands in Akwa Ibom State.
He said this on Thursday, March 28, 2024, while interacting with the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA), in Uyo.
The Federal Lawmaker who frowned at the gross trespass of herders on people’s farmlands in Essien Udim and other parts of the State described the act as sheer wickedness and a waste of people’s painstaking efforts.
“The issue of open grazing is a serious concern because it undermines the efforts of our farmers and is a palpable cause of communal conflict”, he stated.
Sharing his personal experience and encounter with the situation, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Legislation said it was unlawful, unfair and unjust for Cows to be carelessly allowed to graze on farms meant for subsistence or commercial use.
He however acknowledged sadly that most of the cattle herds in the State are owned by people of the State and called on such owners to be more conscientious.
“Even the Bible says we should do to others what we want them to do to us, and its vice-versa. So our people should be more conscientious”, he appealed.
Speaking on the plights of his constituents and his desire to help alleviate their challenges, the Federal Lawmaker justified his recent Motion calling on the Federal Government to expedite the completion of the Uwa Junction/Urua Edet Obo/Nto Edino Road in Essien Udim and Obot Akara Local Government Areas.
"That road connects over 40 communities, schools, and businesses, playing a crucial role in the daily lives of our people".
"It is troubling that this project, awarded in 2021, has been abandoned due to insufficient funding, causing unimaginable hardships for the people, so it is an essential road", he stated.
The Knight of Saint John International who validated the impact of the harsh economy on his constituents and Nigerians at large said he was doing his bid to salvage the unsavory situation, beyond making cases for them at the Green Chambers.
He informed COOPA that about 5 of his constituents have been settled in permanent jobs, while others including People Living with Disabilities are being empowered regularly with vocational and soft skills for self-reliance.
It would be recalled that Dr. Umoh on the first day of March, 2024 had engaged with Family Heads and Youth Leaders in his Constituency where he gave out 510 bags of rice and N2.3M to People Living with Disabilities.
This followed a similar gesture the Lawmaker undertook during the yuletide period, where 300 bags of rice, 3 cows, and the sum of N4M were distributed among party stakeholders and the women.
Hon. Umoh also awarded a million-naira business grant to Ntiufan Multipurpose Cooperative to enhance their business/loan capital and improve their stance as a Cooperative.
The former Secretary of Obot Akara Local Government Area who thanked the Senate President, Obong Godswill Akpabio for his continued support and nudge, called on people of his Constituency and Akwa Ibomites at large to rally around the Senate President and keep faith with President Bola Tinubu, while expressing believe that the prevalent hard times will in no time be over.
© Priscilla Akpanettot
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