Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured that the landscape of every Local Government Area across the state would be dotted with people oriented and development projects as a token of appreciation for the support garnered during the election culminating in his emergence as Governor of the State.
Governor Eno gave the assurance Wednesday, when he met the people of Ikot Expene Senatorial District in a Thank-You-Visit at the country home of the Political Leader of the district, Chief Michael Afangide , OON, at Ikot Umo Essien, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
He said considering the exigency of his office, he would not be able to visit every local government to register appreciation but would translate such gesture to capacity building and development projects initiated in all the local government areas of the state.
“We have come here today, standing in Annang Land, using our father, Obong Afangide as a point of contact to show our appreciation to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
We thank you for your solidarity and support during the campaign. Thank you for presenting yourselves to be used by God to bring us to where we are today.
“It is by God’s grace that we are here as a delegation of the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Deputy, SSG and other elected office holders. We may not be able to go round from local Government to Local Government for the thank you visit but may do that through project flag off and project commissioning.
“It is good and preferable that we gather like this from time to time across the senatorial districts to thank everyone. If we want to go round from local Government to Local Government, time will fail us because we need time to work.
“We need to reserve time for the jobs you voted us into office because at the end of our tenure, you will not judge us by the number of people and Local Governments we visit but by the number of projects and positive developments that we give to our people. On this note, let me appeal to you, if you come to my office and can not see me, please don’t be angry, just bear with us”, he stated.
Governor Eno said that he is armed with the promises made during the electioneering campaign days and sued for patience to enable him constitute the State Executive Council within the month, explaining that the projects would be executed interministerally for proper supervision.
He thanked Mr Aniekan Ekwere for painstakingly compiling the promises and pledged his commitment to deliver on the promises to assuage the yearnings of the people .
“Gathered here today are the representatives of all the ten local Government Areas of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. Please take this message of Thanksgiving home and make sure that you extend it to all our supporters across party lines.
“Tell them that we are very grateful for their supports and for standing by us during the period we needed them.
“I assure you that you will see a greater thank you in the projects that we will do in your local Government areas. With me here is the compilation of all our promises during the campaign according to different needs and requests of every local Government. I have received it today through Mr Aniekan Ekwere, and I must thank him very specially for this.
“He has compiled all these to represent the entire 31 local Government of the State. This is a clear prove that you followed us up and was acquainted with all the promises we made. We will compare it with the one we have in the office and respond to them accordingly, as God will help us to accomplish all.
“We will commence all the project as soon as we swear in our Commissioners. These jobs are critical jobs of different ministries. That is why we take time to put the foundation right because there is nothing the righteous can do if the foundation is destroyed.
” There is no part of this state across the 31 local Government Areas that my Government will not touch with positive and impactful project. We will extend it to the wards. We have a lot in the pipeline and God will help us to accomplish all.”
He particularly appreciated Obong Michael Afangide and all the Stakeholders for having stood by him and ensuring that they win the heart of the people to vote him massively into office , noting that their prayers and guidance contributed immensely to his success at the polls and reiterated his resolve to reciprocate the gesture with development projects in all the local government areas of the state.
“Let me appreciate very specially, Obong Afangide. He stood firmly by
us and encouraged the people from this Senatorial District to support us. I remember he prayed for us when we came for consultation and I am happy that God has honoured his grey hair and granted us success and victory.
“It is therefore deserving that we have come here to say thank you. Let’s give honour to whom honour is due. It might not have been easy if he didn’t support us.
“We also thank the Stakeholders and every person from Ikot Ekpene District for supporting us. I really believe and assure you that you will appreciate it more through developments and life touching projects.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman Essien Udim Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Luke Udoh, congratulated Pastor Umo Eno on his victory and extended the appreciation of Essien Udim people to the governor on the “Thank You visit”.
He lauded the peace initiated by the previous administration and pledged the commitment of Essien Udim people to work with the Umo Eno led administration to further the peace.
Speaking on behalf of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob while commending the people of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district for the role they played during the recently concluded polls, stated that the visit was a promise kept by the Governor having vowed to appreciate the people once elected into office.
Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien who represented the Stakeholders of the district thanked the Governor for keeping to his words and assured him of their unflinching support throughout his government.
Similarly, the immediate past deputy Governor of the state, Mr Moses Ekpo, thanked Governor Eno for the honour done them and assured him that the senatorial district will work assiduously to ensure that he has a smooth 8 years run and handover to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district after his eight years tenure.
Media Unit
Government House, Uyo
12/7/23