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| Aniekan Umanah |
It is my privilege to specially welcome you all to this important press briefing to highlight programmes and activities of the 28th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State and the launching of dakkada spiritual rebirth, moral transformation and reorientation campaign. Going down memory lane, the creation of Akwa Ibom State 28 years ago by the Federal Government marked a remarkable watershed in the socio-political and economic history of our people. Our forebears had long yearned, desired and aspired for a state which would help them actualize their dreams and visions as a distinct people in the Nigerian nation. The creation was, therefore, a dream fulfilled for them to achieve self-worth, political emancipation and economic prosperity.
Since Akwa Ibom came into existence, the state has witnessed different leaderships ranging from military to civilian administrations. In all these, the various leaders initiated and implemented different programmes and policies, aimed at building a strong egalitarian and virile state for politically enlightened and economically empowered citizenry.
However, the advent of democratically-elected administrations in the country in 1999 has brought about monumental growth and surpassing accomplishments which affected our State positively in many sectors. It is pertinent to pay glowing tributes to our leader who contributed to the development of Akwa Ibom State: Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, late Obong Akpan Isemin, Obong Victor Attah and Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, who at various times had governed the state and left indelible marks on the sands of time.
To consolidate on the achievements of the past administration and sustain superior performance aimed at moving the State to the next level, His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel, the fourth democratically-elected governor of the State, has further taken superlative steps to consolidate on and trudge the State to higher height. Governor Emmanuel, who anchors his Divine Mandate on a five-point agenda, namely: job creation, poverty alleviation, wealth creation, economic and political inclusion as well as infrastructural consolidation and expansion, is working assiduously to sustain superior performance and achieve sustainable development.
In less than four months in the saddle, Governor Udom Emmanuel has set an enviable record of performance to the admiration of many. In order to galvanize technical and professionals inputs as well as realize his lofty objectives, Governor Emmanuel has constituted Technical Committees on the actualization of Ibom Deep Seaport; Foreign Direct Investments; Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, amongst others.
The administration has carried out intervention work to save St. Luke’s Hospital, Uyo, from ravaging gully erosion and also built new blocks to enhance health-care delivery in the State.
In the industrial sector, Governor Emmanuel’s administration has resuscitated the moribund Peacock Paint Industry, Ikot Ekan; revitalized Plasto Crown, Aka-Nung Udoe Road; performed ground-breaking ceremonies for the establishment of an Automobile Assembly Plant in Itu, for the establishment of Blue Marine -Low Energy Devices (LED) factory at Ikot Ebom Itam, Itu; Fertilizer Plant, Abak; siting of Shoprite at the Ibom Tropicana, Uyo; provided revolving credit scheme to small-scale industrialists, and introduced Department of Investment in the Ministry of Commerce and industry.
The Governor has so far initiated the construction of 137 kilometers of roads; intervened by direct labour in the gully erosion that ravaged Calabar–Itu Road at Enen Atai, Itu Local Government Area; awarded contract for the construction of a 3.5km Ikot Udom Road with 15m Span Bridge in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area thus opening up Ikot Udom axis; awarded contract for the construction of 5km Ikot Usop–Ikot Edeghe – Ikot Ekpuk Road, with 30m Span Bridge in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, linking up the Ikot Usop axis to the Ikot Ekpuk end of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area; awarded contract for the construction of 5km Mkpok-Okat Road in ONNA Local Government Area linking, the Mkpok–Okat axis of ONNA Local Government Area to the East-West Road, among others.
More than anything else, Governor Udom Emmanuel has come with the creed of greatness, his Dakkada campaign, calling on the people to arise to the faith of greatness, spiritual rebirth, moral transformation and reorientation.
The Dakkada call is a call to rise to the faith that with God, all things are possible; a call to rise to the faith that we can rise beyond biases, ethnicity, religion and gender; a call to rise to faith of our human and intellectual resources; to chart a new course for the present and future generations of Akwa Ibomites. Dakkada is a call on the people to rise to greatness, because that Akwa Ibom is destined to be great.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL
- CONSTRUCTION OF OVER 137KM OF ROADS AND 6 BRIDGES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE:
· Dualization of 19.7km Uyo-Etinan Road – ongoing
· Construction of 39.4km Etinan-Ndon Eyo Road with 2No. Bridges and Spur-ongoing
· Construction of 7.3km Ebekpo-Ikot Ebidang Road- ongoing
· Construction of 3.5km Ikot Udom Road with 15m Span Bridge in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area- ongoing
· Construction of 5km Ikot Usop-Ikot Edeghe-Ikot Ekpuk Road with 30m Span Bridge in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area- ongoing
· Construction of 5km Mkpok-Okat Road in ONNA Local Government Area- ongoing
· Resumption of work at the Dualization of Eket-Ibeno Road- ongoing
· Urban Renewal Projects within Eket Township- ongoing
· Emergency intervention, flood control, completion of Outfalls and Urban Roads in Oron- ongoing
· Construction of second Runway at the Akwa Ibom International Airport-ongoing
· Construction of three collapsed bridges and internal roads in Obot Akara LGA
· Dualisation of Oron-Uyo road
· Construction of 1.2km Underground Drainage in Uyo- ongoing
- Improved electricity distribution and power supply
- Inauguration of a Technical Committee on Foreign Direct Investment
- Inauguration of a Technical Committee on Ibaka Deep seaport project
- Inauguration of a Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency
- Ground-breaking ceremony of an Automobile Assembly Plant in Itu.
- Sponsorship of skill acquisition programmes
- Payment of 10 years arrears of pensions and gratuities to primary school teachers and local government employees
SPECIAL INTERVENTION AT ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL, ANUA, UYO
- Construction of Dr. Ann Ward Gynaecology Block
- Emergency Intervention on Gully Erosion at School of Nursing
- Rehabilitation of Children and Male Wards
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
- Approval for the establishment of Sports Academies in the 10 Federal Constituencies
- 1000 Youths for Oracle Certification Programme
- Power Sector training for 200 youths
- Special Agricultural Training for 100 youths in Israel
- Approval for the training of 329 youths in photography and film production
CONCLUSION: Dear colleagues, I invite you to be part of the celebrations. Do all you can to give them adequate publicity. Akwa Ibom State belongs to all of us. Le t us rise and build it together by offering the necessary support for the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel to succeed.
Thank you and God bless.
Being a text of press briefing by the hon. commissioner for information and communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, FNIM, held on Monday, 21st September, 2015 to highlight activities for the 28th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State creation and the launching of the DAKKADA initiative
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