Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has enjoined Federal public servants of Akwa Ibom origin to work with the state government in attracting life-transforming projects to the state.
Eno made the call during an interaction with the Federal Commissioners, Permanent Secretary and Directors from the state at Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office, Abuja on Tuesday, 15 August.
The Governor pledged his readiness to work with the Federal Civil servants from Akwa Ibom in bringing more development projects to the state.
On the need to provide adequate accommodation to Akwa Ibom indigenes working with the Federal Civil Service, he pledged to partner Akwa Ibom Community in Abuja to commence a small housing scheme to enable indigenes resident in the FCT to have affordable accommodation.
Commenting on the forthcoming population census exercise in the country, Eno promised to collaborate with the National Population Census to achieve a successful census exercise at the state level.
“For the A.R.I.S.E Agenda to take roots in our State, we must keep promoting our brands,” he said, making reference to Ibom Air.
According to him, his administration is setting out to build models schools, and rehabilitate primary health-care sector in the state.
He further mentioned that the A.R.I.S.E Agenda will set up leadership and entrepreneurial development center, assuring that the industrial park will become a beehive of activities ranging from fashion to shoe business in the state.
The Governor thanked everyone for coming out, and implored Akwa Ibom people to be proud of the state God has given us, calling for the deepening of the spirit of togetherness and support to enable his administration to make a better Akwa Ibom.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo, had commended the Governor for his initiative in meeting with them, describing it as the first of its kind since their appointments into the federal civil service and in the FCT.
Mr Udo noted that the gesture has instilled in them a sense of belonging, and rekindled their commitment to making contributions to the success of the present administration.
“Some people have come because they believe in you, and are ready to work with you,’’ he said.
Dr Tommy Etim Okon, President, Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), hailed the Governor’s humility and for keeping to his promise which he made during his campaign to the Akwa Ibom Community.
According to him, “the Governor has given us another name which is to say that we are proud people to have a humble Governor.”
Mrs Anietie Enobong Umoessien, a director in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Directorate of Industrial Inspectorate, called on the governor to put in more effort to reducing unemployment in the state.
She stressed the need for proper sustainability plans be put in place for the growth of industries and for proper awareness to attract investments, listing commitment, continuity, monitoring and evaluation as indices for sustainability and growth.
Also speaking, the Director of Fishery and Aquaculture of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ime Umoh advised the government to explore fishing potentials and own a fishing trowel across the coastal region.
Dr Umoh announced that the Ministry has donated one patrol boat to Akwa Ibom State government to be released to the state government on 17 August to enable the patrol team to monitor the activities of pirates along the coastal line.
Obong Dr Simon Etim, Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission, decried a situation where indigenes employed in Abuja resign due to accommodation problem and return to the state.
Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong, Federal Commissioner, National Population Census in his contribution said census data are useful in actualising revenue mobilization, stating that the state should set up security committee for the successful actualisation of the census and be ready to support it.
In a vote of thanks, Barr. Aniefiok Ibah, President Akwa Ibom Community Abuja, thanked the Governor for coming to Abuja for a meeting with these cadres of civil servants.
“Your Excellency, you have systematically dehumanise power and politics in Akwa Ibom State and the people are happy. Akwa Ibom people are very much interested in the success of your administration,” Ibah stated.
He requested the Governor Eno to establish the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-governmental relations in Abuja to ease the promotion of cooperation and foster inter relations between the state government and the federal civil service.
With the Governor at the event were the Secretary to the State of Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Head of Civil Service Commission, Elder Effiong Essien, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko; and Commissioner of Finance, Dr Linus Nkan.
Others were Dr Offiong Offor Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Emem Almond Bob, Ministry of Economic Development, Dr Enobong Umoessien President Akwa Ibom league of professionals and Director of private sector ECOWAS Commission, Abuja.
Present at the meeting were four Federal Commissioners, a Permanent Secretary and over 80 Directors/Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors.
Among were Dr Dora Ebong, commissioner Federal Character Commission; Mr Sunny Anyang, Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Brig. Gen. Obot Obot, Director of Defence intelligence Agency ,Abuja; and the Liaison Officer, Mr Edwin James, among others.
