*Idem decries deplorable Federal roads
* Wants FG to increase 2024 budget estimates
*Hands over a road project to Ukanafun LGA
The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep Unyime Idem, has decried the deplorable state of Federal roads across Nigeria, calling for increase in 2024 budgetary allocation for roads.
According to him, “The bad state of our roads has brought untold hardship, loss of lives and properties to our people.”
Idem made the call Saturday, January 14, 2023, during the inauguration of a 1.2km Amiamia Owo-Akpan Assiek Market Road with street lightings and drainage facilities, he built and donated to the Ukanafun people.
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The Federal legislator, however, called on the Federal government to increase 2024 budget estimates of the Federal Ministry of Works, for the purpose of developing road infrastructure in Nigeria.
“Let me use this medium to call on the Federal government to take urgent steps to address the deplorable state of roads across the country. May I urge President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to increase the 2024 budget estimates for the Federal Ministry of Works. This will enable the Ministry to provide more road infrastructure across Nigeria,” Idem urged.
Speaking on the Akpan Assiek Market Road, the ICT icon-turned politician recalled that for more than 30 years, the road has remained impassable causing untold hardship to the people but that deliverance has finally come.
“For more than 30 years, the Akpan Assiek Market Road was impassable and deplorable. It brought untold hardship to our people, especially the rural market women and traders who come from outside Ukanafun. The hitherto bad state of the road led to accidents, loss of market wares, difficulty in transporting goods and services and hindered rural economic activities. Today, deliverance and hope have come to our people as movement is now easier in a developed Ukanafun,” Idem said.
He thanked Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, for his massive investment in road development in Ukanafun, and assured him of the support of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency to his completion agenda and succession plan.
“May God bless the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for accepting the invitation to inaugurate this project. Ukanafun people are eternally grateful to you for this honour and for executing several road projects which have linked our area to the outside world.
‘‘We are already in election period and our leaders are moving from one ward to the other, seeking the votes of the people. Let me assure His Excellency of the massive support of Ukanafun people to his completion agenda,” elated Idem noted.
The National Assemblyman further thanked the people for the show of love and support accorded him, saying he has a mandate to serve the people and help push the human race forward.
He promised the people of more projects when re-elected for a second term, urging the people to vote en-masse for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates.
Idem whose birthday coincided with the project inauguration thanked God for His benevolence, noting that he has made service to his people a way of life.
“In my life of service, my concern has been how to contribute my quota to the advancement of the human race and putting smiles on the faces of people. One principle that has kept me going is that ‘Only a life lived for service of others is a life well lived;’ and that the ultimate test of man’s conscience is his willingness to sacrifice something today for the future generation whose words of thanks will not be heard.”
It is for this reason that all through my life, I have decided to make a difference in the lives of those around me. The event for which we are gathered today is milestone in the trajectory of my life’s mission,” Idem added.
While inaugurating the project, Governor Udom Emmanuel applauded the federal Lawmaker for setting performance standards in leadership, representation and legislative brinkmanship.
“I am impressed by what I have seen here today. Unyime Idem has done well for himself and for the people. This is what I call a 14-star performance. He has set performance standards in leadership, representation and legislative brinkmanship. I trust in what he has done and what he can do. All I can say to Ukanafun people is to vote for PDP again to have a repeat of what Idem has done,” Governor Udom said.
The Governor decried the absence of federal government presence in the state, noting that it is lawmakers like Idem that is helping to bring the federal government presence down to the state.
The Governor who was represented by the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR, noted that he was not surprised at the performance of Idem.
“When Idem came to notify me of his decision to heed the call of Ukanafun people to vie for the House of Representatives seat in 2019, I told him he has made one of the greatest decisions that will bring development to the people. By what he did in the telecoms sector and what he is doing now, he has contributed immensely to the development of Annang land and Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Professor Eno Ibanga, described Idem as a man of the people and for the people. He said what Idem has done is the highest form of representation he has seen in the state noting that when the passion is right, you see results.
The PDP Chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Elder Aniekan Akpan, lauded Unyime Idem for his sterling performance and for bringing development home. He said he is not regretting being Idem’s Director-General in 2019 and that a good product is not hard to sell.
On his part, the political leader of Ukanafun, Obong Eno Akpan, said he was proud of Unyime Idem for setting a standard in governance and representation, adding that Idem’s performance has given him a second term unopposed.
Mr. Aniekan Ukpanah, a legal practitioner, observed, “Idem is a man of excellence. He is the best in Nigeria in terms of representation. He was the best Telecoms Service Provider in Nigeria. I am not surprised at the level of development he has brought to Ukanafun.”
Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, a retired Permanent Secretary, said Idem has set a standard for aspiring politicians.
‘‘Anytime someone comes out to contest for any office, I will ask him if he will perform like Unyime Idem. When such a person leaves office, I will ask him if he performed like Unyime Idem,’’ Mkpanang added.
Highlight of the event was cutting of the birthday cake of Idem as the chief celebrator and witnessed by Mr. Moses Ekpo.
Reported by Vincent Aluu
