David Udom
Mkpat Enin Grassroots Women has applauded Governor Umo Eno and his beloved wife, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno over the opportunity given to Hon. Mercy Bassey to serve as transition chairman of the council area.
Declaring open the meeting in Mkpat Enin LGA, the coordinator, who doubles as the president of Mbong Iban Mkpat Enin, Obonganwan Rose Ekanem disclosed that Hon. Mercy Bassey has wiped the tears of her constituents through her competent character, inclusive leadership skills, social network, capacity building, humility, transparency, and commitment to serve.
Mkpat Enin Grassroots Women appealed to the state governor and his beloved wife to support Hon. Mercy Bassey as she remained the most preferred and competent candidate for the council under the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP), so that she completed her vision of sustainable development and food security for the good people of Mkpat Enin LGA, as no other candidate will be able to interpret their dreams.
The group also urged the good people of Mkpat Enin to rally around and give Hon. Bassey their full support, by voting her into office as the next Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The group president drew her inspiration from an African Proverb that states that “what an elder sees from far, a child can never see even If he climbs an iroko tree.” She explained that she had been around Mkpat Enin for a long time and had experienced many administrations, that Mercy remains the best so far who came to dry the tears of her people, and that if given an opportunity, she would do more.
“As experienced women, We all are witnesses of how Mercy Bassey has transformed the Council Secretariat into a new Jerusalem, she has reconstructed dilapidated facilities, and provided the necessary basic amenities, intervened on the state government road project that was completely abandoned by the immediate past administration for two years.
But within the first month in office as a Transition Chairman, Hon. Bassey rehabilitated the road to ease transportation and save lives, through her competent character, inclusive leadership skills, social network, capacity building, humility, transparency, and peace most importantly has returned to Mkpat Enin.
“Lady Bassey has also graded the road that links many villages from Ibebwe, Ikot Mkpeye, Ikot Unya, Ikot Eyienhe, Ife town, etc. to make lives easy for the citizens living in an interior rural area and turned the council’s hectares of land to farm varieties of plants including cassava plants over 4-hectares of land, 490 stands of plantain, vegetables, okoro, tomatoes, and corn etc.
“As a child of honor, Mercy is currently building a Traditional Ruler Council House at the Secretariat for all the traditional Rulers in the council. She has rehabilitated the cottage hospital, at Odoro-Ikot, unroofed the dilapidated roof and replaced it with brand new, provided borehole water and, a toilet, installed lights, and provided the hospital with brand new beds and other basic amenities to promote healthy living and save lives.
“This has aligned with the governor’s ARISE agenda which the first is Agriculture for Sustainable Development and food security for the state, we call on the state governor and his dear wife, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno and Mrs. Patience Umo Eno to support our daughter to complete all the vision she has for the development of Mkpat Enin LGA,” the group stated.
In her goodwill message, the woman leader representing Ikpa Ibom Ward 3 Mrs Emem Usoro, expressed satisfaction over the choice of the transition chairman as the next Executive chairman of the council, added that she is contented with what she is given and that she maximizes our resources well to the benefits of the constituents.
Also speaking supervisor of women affairs Mkpat Enin LGA, Lady Mercy Usen throws weight behind Hon. Bassey over her hardworking nature and dedication to serve and represent her people well.
The representative of the Ikpa Ikono clan, Mrs Eno Afia gave her support and added that peace has been restored to the Ikpa Ikono clan as she couldn’t farm nor go home last year due to an insecurity crisis but this year, she was able to farm and monitor her business in the area due to the intervention of Hon. Mercy Bassey in tackling insecurity in the area.
On her part, Mrs Grace Udobia of Ikpa Ibom Ward 4, explained how Mercy’s inclusion of past leaders in governance and decision-making has endeared her to many and thus earned her support and endorsement.
Other women who spoke in support of the Transition Chairman, Hon. Bassey as the next Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin LGA include Mrs Aniekan Ubong Sam from Ibiaku Clan, Obongawan Arit Sunday Ekwere of Ibiaku Clan, Mrs Ime Friday, Ikpa Ikono clan, Mrs Imelda Ibanga Ikpa Ibom ward 2, Mrs Emem Thompson Ikpa Ibom Ward 4, among many others whose names were not captured.