The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, a non-governmental organization has raised concern over the abandoned Ibom Science Park in Akwa Ibom which was conceptualized by the former Governor, Victor Attah.
It urged the Ministry of Science and Technology to work towards the realisation and actualisation of the Park.
The Akwa Ibom State Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong who raised the issues while briefing newsmen during a media parley, noted that over 27 hectares of land was acquired in Itu Local Government Area for the siting of the project.
He observed that the location has become a security threat to the host communities due to the abandonment by successive administrations.
He said, “The Center urged the Ministry of Science and Technology to work towards the realisation and actualisation of the Ibom Science Park.”
The centre also frowned at the abandonment of Model Motor Parks, built by the administration of Victor Attah by successive administrations and called on the present government to look into it.
He noted that such has led to indiscriminate parking, loading and offloading of passengers by tricycle and mini-bus drivers within and around the highways at Ikot Oku Ikono/Ekom Iman Flyover; around Ibom Plaza up to Ikot Ekpene Road by University of Uyo Roundabout; IBB Roundabout near Ibom Hall which pose danger to road users and motorists plying the axis.
The Center also lauded the audit of the Ibom Power Company as directed by the Governor, pastor Umo Eno.
On anti-open grazing law, the director who lauded the enactment of the State Anti-Open Grazing Law by the administration of Udom Emmanuel, however, lamented that the law is only been partially enforced in some parts of the state.
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways to fully implement the Law across the State as a step to checking the grazing of cattle on farmlands and avoidance of clashes.
Isong also drew the attention of the state government to the issues of understaffing and poor state of infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, fittings, and water, in the Courts spread across the 31 Local Government Areas in the state and called for recruitment of personnel into the State Judiciary as well as a facelift to the Courts in the state.