Governor Emmanuel Urges FG To Build Tank Farm In A‘Ibom

By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has lamented that current petrol scarcity in the country has caused enormous hardship on the well being of people of the state, especially as no petroleum tank farm is located in the state.
Governor Emmanuel stated this on Tuesday at the 2018 Solemn Assembly organized by the state government to re-dedicate the state to God and mark the commencement of a new year.
The Governor called on federal government to build a tank farm in the state to ease the burden on the people especially during scarcity of petroleum products.
Lamenting that Akwa Ibom lacked federal projects, inspite of her being the most peaceful states in the Niger Delta region, Governor Emmanuel also appealed to federal government to establish development infrastructures in the state as a reward for being a peaceful state.
“Akwa Ibom is peace-loving; a State that is peace-loving deserves to be rewarded,” he stated.
Governor who also reminded the federal government of her promise to reconstruct Calabar – Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road, said that the road if reconstructed will not only tame the frequent carnage on the road but would attract development to the state as well as reduce the stress faced by motorists plying the road.
Speaking on the significance of the solemn assembly which has become an annual event in the state, Governor Emmanuel said that it was borne out of the strong belief that nothing tangible can be achieved in the state without God, adding that Akwa Ibom is a state at the footstool of God.
According to him, “It was not in error that our forebears christened this State, “Land of Promise.”  They were, by that singular act, expressing the faith that like the Biblical Promised Land, Akwa Ibom State was, and is still, God’s own project. They were confident that as the Lord was with the Israelites of old; standing by them through the mountain and the valley so also is He with us yesterday, today and forever.”
Recounting the benevolences of God upon the state, he said, “Evidently, our journey is shaped by our relationship with God. We have made Him our compass in this journey and that is the secret of the milestones we have achieved in every mile we have covered so far. Our creed is that there is nothing God cannot do for a people that put their trust in Him.”
“The year 2017 was challenging in so many forms and dimensions; from recession to hyperinflation. But in all of these, our God went ahead of us and straightened the crooked paths and while there was a casting down elsewhere, we were visited by the invisible hands of the Almighty that lifted us up and held us aloft as prime example of God’s unfathomable favour,” Governor Emmanuel positioned.
He called on people of the State to join hands with government to build the state and never allow the fleeting passions of politics or any other ancient animosities to create a wedge among them as politics will come and go but Akwa Ibom State spirit will continue to flourish and ascend.
Earlier, the guest speaker and renounced gospel preacher, Rev. Uma Ukpai of the Uma Ukpai Evangelical Mission who preached on this year’s theme of the event “I Will HELP THEE” declared prosperity for all in the state.
Highlights of the event which took place at Ibom Hall ground and drew people from all works of life include songs ministrations, special thanksgiving session and intercessory prayers for government and people of the state.