First anniversary: Group lauds Eno for 80 road projects, others

Emeka Samuel, Uyo

A socio-political group in Akwa Ibom State, Arise Ambassadors has said that the contract award for 80 roads by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in one year was a testament to the governor’s commitment to uplifting the state’s economic status.

They have also said that the N100 million education endowment fund for persons with disabilities studying in tertiary institutions across the country and the construction of state-of-the-art model schools across the state has helped to restore confidence in public schools.

A statement endorsed by the group’s Director of Information, Mr Paul Ufot and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday noted that his investment in agriculture has also helped create jobs for the youth and would soon help stabilise rising food costs in the state.

“The milestones start with the golden touch on roads and other infrastructure. To our loveable and pleasant surprise, Governor Eno has done nearly 80 road projects so far, some of which he inherited from his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

“Governor Eno has delivered impressively on sustainable development. Some of the roads are already inaugurated, while work is ongoing at different stages of completion on others. Eno has turned Akwa Ibom State into one construction site, aimed at improving the lots of the people.

“Another crucial sector where the governor has timely and aptly intervened is the education sector, where he has raised a banner without stain and hoisted Akwa Ibom State on the totem pole of a bright future, secured in the comfort of fluffy policies and programmes.

“The model primary schools are state-of-the-art facilities which come with sports facilities and residential quarters for teachers to encourage them to give their best to the children. 

Moreso, free books, school uniforms, school bags and school shoes are given to the children to complement the efforts of their parents and guardians.

“Governor Umo Eno’s love for education also necessitated the commencement of 100 million Naira Education Trust Fund for persons with disabilities who are studying in tertiary institutions, and this is enjoyed by all Nigerians irrespective of their states of origin.

“We also recall that upon assumption of duty, he led a high-powered delegation to far away Port Novo, Benin Republic to understudy the exploits and success of Songhai Farms, which he has already replicated in Akwa Ibom State as Ibom Model Farms, a farm that can be likened to the Garden of Eden.

“All of these are targeted at achieving food sufficiency and food security for Akwa Ibom people. Good enough, the governor has adequately mobilised the people to the farm through effective policies in agriculture.”

They described the recent empowerment of 800 youths with N400 million under the Ibom LED economic stimulus programme as a major boost to entrepreneurship and content development in the state while the release of more than N20bn for the payment of owed gratuities to retirees was a testament of the Governor’s humane disposition to the elderly.

“Governor Umo Eno has also come with healthy healthcare policies and programmes, revolutionising the healthcare sector from the primary healthcare, where some primary healthcare centres are already commissioned, and the construction and equipping of others are ongoing across the state.

“A major achievement of the governor is the payment of gratuities and other entitlements to retirees in Akwa Ibom State. The governor has put smiles on the faces of the retirees in the State, as he has already given about 20 billion Naira for the payment of their gratuities and other entitlements especially to the primary school teachers and other categories of workers.

“A caring and compassionate leader, Governor Umo Eno has interceded for the vulnerable members of the society. Through yet another novel initiative, the bulk purchase agency, Governor Eno is distributing free food to the vulnerable in the society, in addition to the Compassionate Homes built for widows and other disadvantaged members of the society.

Governor Umo Eno has a plan for all. He prioritises the welfare of all which has necessitated the housing projects now sprouting in the State for the sake of those who may not have what it takes to acquire land and build their houses,” it said.