Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has called on the stakeholders to be more involved in ensuring even spread of development projects in their local government areas in the overall interest of the people.
Speaking on the one-project-per-local-government-area initiative, Eno urged stakeholders to show leadership and be more interested in development plans in their various areas as the initiative enters the second phase across the 31 local government areas of the state.
The advice may be against accusations that some Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in most local government areas in the state are cornering the projects to locations or villages favourable to them.
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The Governor, who gave advice while addressing a cross section of government officials and other leaders during the June edition of Government House Monthly Prayer service on Saturday held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, noted that his government is committed to doing more in the state.
Beyond infrastructure development, he explained that the idea behind the One-Project-Per-Local Government initiative was to create jobs and empower the youths.
Eno expressed the belief that the few youths saddled with the contracts would do well to engage other youths in the course of executing the project, thereby expanding the scope of youth development and empowerment.
He maintained that while government has given free hand to the benefiting areas to choose projects and locations, the stakeholders should equally ensure unity of purpose, collaboration, and spread across different wards and units.
On the incessant flooding in the state, the Governor directed Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), to demolish illegal structures obstructing natural waterways.
According to him, Akwa Ibom has been listed as one of the flood prone states in this year’s predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET hence the need for proactive measures to avert any flooding disaster.
Recall that NiMET recently predicted that 31 states and 148 local government areas including Akwa Ibom are at risk of severe flooding from April to November 2024.
He said rather than allow few buildings to cause flooding that could submerge an entire community or area, government will not hesitate to pull down structures built illegally on water ways.
The governor, therefore, directed the leadership of UCCDA to proceed with the demolition of such buildings in the state capital to avoid any flooding incident in the state.
Commenting on the theme of the prayer service, “From Glory To Glory” drawn from 11 Corinthians 3:18, Eno acknowledged that despite the enormous challenges, more work is still needed to be done if the state must move to another level of glory after the first anniversary celebrations.
On the Fathers’ Day celebrated on Sunday the world over, Governor Eno congratulated fathers for providing leadership, first in the families, and by extension providing stability in the larger society, praying for more grace upon the fathers in carrying out their unique roles.
In the service, the Chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church, Rev Ekpedeme Efanga preached on the theme From Glory To Glory while intercessory prayers were offered for peace, unity and prosperity in the state.
