Emmanuel dissolves Caretaker Management Committees

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has ordered the dissolution of the Caretaker Management Committees of Itu and Ukanafun local government areas of the state.

The dissolution order was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday by the Secretary to the State Government, Etekamba Umoren.

The statement which was signed by the state government directed the head of service of the affected local governments to take over the affairs of the councils pending the constitution of a new Management Committees.

Though the statement did give reasons for the dissolution, The Next Edition, reports that the action might not be unconnected with allegation of fraud levelled against Itu Caretaker committee and the orgy of violent killings in Ukanafun.

The Caretaker Committee chairperson of Itu, Mrs. Elsie Esara was recently summoned by the House  Committee on Local Government to answer charges of misappropriation of over N500million leveled against her.

It was gathered that the committee after its findings made far-reaching recommendations to the state government.

The police in the state recently confirmed the arrest of  Ukanafun local government area committee chairman Mr. Abasiono Udomfu, over his alleged involvement in the murder of  the secretary of the council, Mr. Ime Atakpa.

Atakpa was murdered by unidentified gunmen on Sunday April 16, 2017 at his farm, an integrated farming scheme close to his residence.

The deceased secretary was among the Caretaker Committee members of Ukanafun local government sworn-in by the state governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

He was however not allowed to assume duty by the current chairman until his assassination.