Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo has called on public-spirited indigenes of the state, both within and outside to contribute significantly towards the well-being of their people.
He added that given the current economic realities of the times, there was utmost need by the well-to-do amongst us to use part of their resources to impact lives by donating projects that would add value to the lives of people in their communities.
The Deputy Governor stated this during the commissioning and handing over of the ultra-modern public convenience donated by an illustrious son of Ukanafun, Mr Ekan Ukpanah, to the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over the weekend at the Ukanafun Local Government secretariat.
Ekpo, who commended the donor of the project, disclosed that the Ukanafun Local Government secretariat had not had such facility for its workers over the years, adding that the development was a vital and significant one that will encourage productivity at work.
He maintained that the contribution must be seen as something that will promote not only efficiency but also provide sanitation for the environment.
“The problem of sickness and every other thing could be traced to poor sanitation in most cases in our society today, which is what the donor is trying to prevent and on the other hand, stop truancy,” he noted.
He paid tribute to the Ukpanah’s family for helping to build the council to what it ought to be, while also acknowledging the contributions of past administrators who had served in the council as well as the workers for their cooperation. He further noted that the present administration would not have achieved anything, if there was nothing to build upon, adding that growth is all about moving higher to the zenith.
He assured that provisions would be made for the traditional institution in the ongoing council building project which would be commissioned in the coming months, adding that other facilities that are lacking in the council will be made available.
He expressed delight that the workers were also contributing to the project and therefore encouraged the private sector in Ukanafun to sow into the project as it will be beneficial to everyone.
The Project donor, Mr Ekan I. Ukpanah, who is the president, the Nung Ukpanah family union, expressed gratitude to God for making the project a success, while expressing delight to the Deputy Governor for finding time to commission the project.
He said the project was conceived given the importance of public convenience to the health and well-being of staff, considering that no such facility had existed in the council for the past 46 years.
He urged the staff of the council to make efforts to maintain and sustain the facility to enable it serve them for a long time.
The chairman, planning committee, NULGE week celebration, Comrade Inimfon Etuk on behalf of the entire staff of the Council expressed gratitude to the family of the donor for the kind gesture and prayed to the good Lord to bless and reward him richly.
He pledged the union’s support to the completion agenda of Gov Udom Emmanuel, adding that they will fully participate in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.
Mr Aniekan Ukpanah, a member of Ibom Deep Seaport committee, on behalf of the Nnung Ukpanah Family, thanked the Deputy Governor for his continuous fatherly support and cooperation with the family.
Goodwill messages were given by the Chairman of the council, Hon Godwin Inyieng, political Leader of Ukanafun, Obong Eno Akpan, PDP senate candidate for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, Federal House member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika constituency, Mr Aniekan Umanah, Paramount ruler of Ukanafun, HRM Okuku Amos Daniel.