It was a attractive procession of assorted vehicles all over Uyo the Akwa Ibom state capital as all fifteen transport unions and affiliate groups in the state assembled to unanimously endorse the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Mr Udom Emmanuel as well as all the Senatorial District candidates of the Party for the general elections.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of transport operators at Ibom Hall ground, the governorship standard bearer Mr Udom Emmanuel said that he is overwhelmed by the massive support and confidence reposed in him.
He maintained that the coming together of all stakeholders, unions and their members in the transport business to support the PDP candidates, came as a result of the monumental achievements of the PDP led administration especially in infrastructural development which has made transporters in Akwa Ibom to do their businesses with ease.
Said he, “Transporters have seen what the future should be that is why they have decided to align with progress, sustainable development, and superior performance. I want to assure you that very soon those who started with KEKE will own a taxi and the one who had only a tipper will own a trailer”.
According to him, “with the next PDP government that will be headed by Udom Emmanuel, next time you will stage this kind of rally, you will include air transport workers and the maritime workers because my administration working in partnership with President Jonathan will ensure the growth and development of the marine transport system in our state.”
Udom however urged him to ensure that they support President Goodluck Jonathan, and all PDP candidates for the national and State assemblies, so that his administration can have the needed synergy for rapid remittance of democratic dividends.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state coordinator of transporters, Comrade George Udoh explained that they had assessed all the candidates and having studied their manifestoes, came to the conclusion that an Udom Emmanuel – led government holds better prospects for transporters in the State.
“We transporters don’t rush in taking decisions because once we take any decision it’s irreversible, and today’s endorsement came in realization of the impressive performance of the PDP led government especially in road infrastructure which has impacted positively on our businesses.
He described the state transporters as progressives that have seen excellence in Udom Emmanuel, and have moved to support him and other PDP candidates for the forthcoming elections.
Also speaking, the wife of the Governor Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio commended the transporters for appreciation Governor Akpabio’s modest efforts in changing their story, and charged them to keep faith with all the PDP candidates to consolidate the developments recorded in the State.
Responding on behalf of the endorsed Senatorial candidates, the Eket Senatorial District candidate of the PDP, Chief Nelson Effiong described the endorsement as uncommon and unprecedented in the history of the state.
Effiong, proprietor of a transport firm, said that the transport sector is his constituency and expressed satisfaction with what the transport association in the state has done.
He thanked all the fifteen unions and affiliate groups on the support all PDP candidates, assuring that for the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom the Party is sending the most cohesive set of legislators to Abuja to represent the State in the red chambers.
On his part, the Commissioner for Transport, Prince Godwin Ntukude described Mr Udom Emmanuel as a formidable leader whom God has chosen to take Akwa Ibom to the next level.
He maintained that Udom Emmanuel, a tested professional in both the public and private sector, knows nothing other than getting food on peoples table.
The commissioner maintained that with Mr Udom Emmanuel in the saddle, the state will witness industrialization and wealth creation adding that, “transporters are endorsing you today because they want somebody who will show them how to own new vehicles at little or no cost; they want somebody who will give them opportunities to do their businesses with lesser stress.”
In his remark, the chairman on the occasion and Secretary to the state government, Mr Nkereuwem Ekanem said that having come to strengthen the desire for continuity and quest for good governance in the state, Governor Godswill Akpabio has been very supportive to the development of the transport sector which is very crucial to the state economy through promotion of infrastructural facilities as bedrock for socio economic development.
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