*Reels out 7 months’ score card
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has reiterated the commitment of his administration to run a simple and interesting governance to the embrace of all in the state.
Governor Eno who stated this in his New Year broadcast to the people of the state on Monday, maintained that his administration would respect the opinions of past leaders of the state and carry them along in government policies and programmes.
Eno explained that the direction was to encourage the spirit of patriotism, drive entrepreneurship as well as attract investors to the state. A development, he added formed part of his administration’s economic blueprint – ARISE Agenda.
He stressed that what his administration has achieved for the state within the seven months on the saddle of governance are pointers to achieving the Golden Era that his administration has promised to ferry the state into.
Realizing the important of effective security to safe guarding life and property as well as for a peaceful society, Gov Eno said that his administration through due consultation with stakeholders, has launched an internal security outfit called Ibom Community Watch over five thousand trained youths of the state as members.
His words, “My dear compatriots, what we have achieved in seven months gives us hope on what lies ahead in the New Year. We will continue to demystify the work of government and bring governance closer to the people. This we have already demonstrated in more ways than one.
“I have ensured that all the Wards in this state have a Personal Aide working and reporting directly to my Office. I have ensured that all the units have a Watcher of the Ibom Community Watch drawn from them and I have taken time to consult with our stakeholders in most of my initiatives so far. I shall continue to run an all-inclusive government, paying respect to all our past leaders.”
Speaking more on the achievements and what the people of the state should expect in the new, Governor Eno said, “Today, seven months after our inauguration, I make bold to say that in spite of the hazy economic horizon, the fundamentals of our development are strong and resilient. Akwa Ibom State is Rising with the ARISE Agenda and the Golden Era we had promised is already here. Even though we still have many miles to go, what we have collectively achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow and beyond.”
“In the area of Agriculture, we have started the steady but firm commitment to engendering agricultural revolution in our State. The Ibom Model Farm, a collaborative effort with the world renowned Songhai Farms of Porto Novo, Benin Republic, was flag-off a little over two weeks ago, in Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium local government area. It promises to be the most integrated farm in this part of the Nation. It will not only guarantee food security but will also create jobs for thousands of people and stimulate tourism.
“We have requested the Local Government Council Chairmen, to donate lands for the establishment of demonstration farms in each of the local government areas. We have revitalized the Dakkada Palm Oil Estate with new seedlings and have equally invested funds in Cocoa plantations in the state.
“In fulfillment of our campaign promises to complete ongoing projects initiated by the immediate past administration, we have released over Ten Billion Naira to get contractors back to various sites across the state. Works are ongoing at these project sites such as the Victor Attah International Airport Road Expansion and others located all over the State.
“In the Aviation sector, we have released about 6.5 billion Naira to support ongoing projects at the Victor Attah International Airport. We have also kept all our financial obligations with Airbus Corporation and about a month ago, we received the first of the ten Airbus A220-300 Series into the Ibom Air fleet.
“In the Power sector, we have directed that an operational audit of Ibom Power Plant be done. Our aim is to reposition that critical plant to yield the expected dividends for our people. We believe strongly that with adequate power, our entrepreneurs in the state can do better and our economy will be better for it.” The governor listed among others.
While thanking God for His mercy that endured in the state, Governor Eno sued for prayers and support from the citizens for government to succeed.
He however, prayed and wished the people of the state a prosperous new year while also wishing the entire country well
