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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • ‘Akwa Ibom not the highest revenue earner’

    ‘Akwa Ibom not the highest revenue earner’

    The Akwa Ibom State government has debunked the assertion that it is the highest revenue earner in Nigeria.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Aniekan Umanah, said no state earns up to one per cent of the revenue.

    Umanah spoke with reporters yesterday in Uyo, the state capital.

    He said: “I will like to say that Akwa Ibom State is not the highest revenue earner in Nigeria. And like the governor would say, no state earns up to one per cent of the revenue. It is only the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that earns up to one per cent.

    “I want to say that we earn little or nothing compared to what we should ordinarily earn. But having said that, Akwa Ibom is doing big things; Akwa Ibom is putting its money into big projects.”

    Umanah, who also reacted to last week’s report  by a Federal Government agency showing N135.84billion allocation accrued to Akwa Ibom between January and June, said the state is running at a deficit.

    He said the N135billion was grossly inadequate compared to the gargantuan projects embarked upon by the Godswill Akpabio-led administration.

    Umanah said the greatest challenge faced by the administration is how to source for money to finance its key projects.

    “When you are talking about allocation-N135.84billion-it sounds big to you but it is not a lot of money when you are doing key projects. When you look at projects like the new international stadium, these are not bread and butter projects. These are quality projects that cost money.

    “You don’t build flyovers with N1 or N2. You don’t build underground tunnels with N2; you don’t dualise federal roads with N2; you build them with billions, so you put these monies into big projects. So the states you are mentioning, are they able to do these types of projects?”

    The commissioner said the much-touted N135.84billion was a “drop in the ocean” when juxtaposed with the over N400billion budget estimates which provides for 80 per cent capital expenditure and 20 per cent recurrent expenditure.

  • Cries of Akwa Ibom street sweepers

    When you get to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, chances are that you will love it. It has really evolved over the years. Gone are those days when people saw it as a glorified village. It has gotten out of the shadow of Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    Uyo became the capital of Akwa Ibom State on September 23, 1987 following the creation of Akwa Ibom State from erstwhile Cross River State.

    The population of Uyo, according to the 2006 Census which comprises Uyo and Itu, is 436,606.

    Uyo is a fast-growing city. It has witnessed massive infrastructural growth in the past nine years. It has an intensive network of divided highways, such as the IBB Way, Atiku Abubakar Avenue, Udo Udoma Avenue, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, and Edet Akpan Avenue which is an eight-lane superhighway and currently the widest road in the Uyo metropolis.

    With Uyo’s development has also come the challenge of keeping its streets, especially the major highways, such as   the IBB Way and Atiku Abubakar Avenue, clean. This task has been given to the Green Brigade.

    The Green Brigade outfit was floated by the Ministry of Environment to collect waste and check erosion caused by block drainage system and water ways within the state.

    The Ministry of Environment is headed by Prince Enobong Uwah as Commissioner.

    The Green Brigade has a workforce of 2000 women and youths recruited to perform the services of waste collection and disposal, cleaning and desilting of drains and gutters, litter and vegetation control and daily sweeping of roads and streets in the capital city.

    Many believe the outfit has created a lot of jobs, even when some of the workers are not too satisfied with their take home pay which many of them said is too low.

    For instance,  one of the workers, who pleaded anonymity, said they resume cleaning of the highway by 5am to close by 7am.

    According to the Uyo-born woman, each worker sweeps in between nine poles everyday on most of the major highways.

    She explained that the end of the month, the government pays a salary of N10, 000 to each of the workers, which she lamented, cannot take most of them to anywhere.

    When asked if the salary for the month of August has been paid, she said no.

    Her words: “We normally resume here to sweep the highway by 5am in the morning and close 7am. We have been assigned the areas we are supposed to sweet. Normally, each of us will sweep in between nine poles. They pay us salary of N10, 000 at every month. Government should try increase the salary because it is too small for us to take care of our families.”

    Since the inception of the Green Brigade outfit, the Ministry of

    Environment has embarked on erosion control at Eka Street, where the gully was threatening residents and the road.

    Also, the gully at Dominic Utuk Avenue was addressed effectively, the persistent flooding which made Uruan Street, Obio Imo and Oron Road intersection impassable and a nightmare for road users and residents had been a thing of the past.

    The street sweepers are sweeping the streets well. They are doing a yeoman’s job of it. Government should thus not see them as casual workers who deserve what they get. In the task assigned to them, they are exposed to dust and other forms of hazards capable of impairing their health. When this happens, certainly their take home cannot bail them out, just like it is currently not enough to even feed their families.

    So, hearing their cries and adding to their take-home will not be too much. They are the men and women who are making Uyo beautiful. They deserve better.

     

  • ‘Nobody can impose candidate on Akwa Ibom’

    ‘Nobody can impose candidate on Akwa Ibom’

    Former Akwa Ibom State Finance Commissioner Obong Bassey Akpan  is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke with Kazeem Ibrahym in Uyo, the state capital, on his aspiration, zoning and other partisan issues.

    Why are you running for the governorship when you are not favoured by zoning?

    I want to say that I have consulted widely and am still consulting and I must say that, based on the collective feelings of the good people of Akwa Ibom State, there is a consensus that I should serve them in office as governor of the state. So far, I have visited about 24 local government areas and I would formally declare after covering the remaining seven councils. Power comes from God and He gives it to whoever He pleases. My prayer is that God should give us a governor who loves Akwa Ibom. Akpabio has done well; he is a good governor, but God should give us a better governor that will take the state to the next level. I am not going to be a governor by zoning, but I will be by Divine prophecy and if you feel that prophecy is not good or that it came from a false prophet, then I leave it to God to decide, because the Bible said that who is he that has spoken and it comes to pass when the Lord of Host has not commanded it. David in the Bible did not become a king by zoning, when God sent Prophet Samuel to go to the House of Jesse, God said I have found for my people a king in the House of Jesse. When Samuel got there, he thought it will be the first son which was zoning, Samuel thought it will be the second son and that was zoning and that applied to the third, while the Bible did not tell us what David’s position was, Samuel only asked if there was any one remaining and was told there was one in the bush taking care of the sheep and David became a king not by zoning, but by Divine prophecy.

    Let me give you another instance. Solomon, who took over from David, did not become a king because of zoning; he was the tenth child of David who was born by a controversial woman. So, God can make something out of nothing. He said, that I choose to bless whom I choose to bless and I choose to hate whom I choose to hate. Esau did nothing wrong, but God said Esau I hate and Jacob I love. So, between Esau and Jacob is the play out of a programme that is Divinely orchestrated by God. I see my aspiration to become the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as the will of God. You may begin to wonder how I will do it, but I tell you I will do it through the support of the people of Akwa Ibom State and God in Heaven. Like I tell people, our Governor is a human being and he has the right to support whosoever pleases him. Don’t forget that Biblical Saul wanted his first son, Jonathan, to take over from Him, which was his right. But, God said it must be David. So, the governor has the right to support who he chooses to support and the governor has demonstrated this right through the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) that he is supporting his SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of the state. But, the people of the state are supporting my aspiration to lead them as governor through the instrumentality of Akwa Obong Abasi 2015. I leave my fate in the hands of the Akwa Ibom people come May 29, 2015.

    Why were you dropped from the State Executive Council by  Governor Akpabio?

    My removal or sack from office is as a result of my interest in becoming the Governor of Akwa Ibom State based on the popular demand of the people of the state. I saw my sack as a step forward to pursue higher goals in life. That was why when the governor gave me my sack letter, he wished me well in my future endeavours.

    I am happy because my modest contributions to the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio are well noted. But since I left government over four months ago, I have been waxing stronger by the day.

    As an aspirant, what is your pedigree? 

    I graduated from the University of Uyo with a very good Second Class Upper Division; I narrowly missed First Class and I have worked in the bank for about 11 years. I left the bank as a vice president in 2007 to serve the people of Akwa Ibom State as the Commissioner for Finance. I have an MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I have had 18 years cognate experience. My service to the state as commissioner for finance for seven years without any blemish and with accolades, especially from my Governor that I am one of his best commissioners, makes me feel satisfied.

    But, what is more interesting is that Governor Akpabio served Obong Victor Attah as a commissioner for seven years and I also served him for seven years as a commissioner. Governor Akpabio once said that the only person in his cabinet that acts like him, dress like him, talks like him and gives like him is his former commissioner of finance (myself). I believe those are words of a king and it has its own powers.

    So, having served for seven years with my own contributions towards uncommon transformations, I am in a vintage position to understand the dynamics and workings of the government. I am in the position to understand what happened in the last seven years in all facets of the state economy. I was also in the position to understand the vision for the greater Akwa Ibom State. So, I think that I am best positioned to take over from Akpabio by the special grace of God. Akpabio, who also served Attah, took over from him, notwithstanding the fact that Attah had his own candidate. So, I have the vision, charisma, exposure and experience to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State and in all of these I still believe that God has the final say in the affairs of men.

    If you fail to get the ticket, would you accept to become the deputy governor or the SSG?

    For me, I don’t think there is a better aspirant that will defeat me at the primaries. I am very confident and I am contesting the office of the governor and nothing else. You must have heard that I am very stubborn; that I was offered ministerial and senatorial positions and I refused, and that I was asked to become the next SSG, but I also  refused. I asked my people what they want me to become and they said the Governor. So, I know that power belongs to the people and I am happy that I enjoy the collective acceptance of the people of Akwa Ibom State. The choice of who becomes governor lies with people who should be allowed to do so through their mandate.

    And I pray that God will give us the governor who will show love to the people of the state. In 2007 notwithstanding that the former governor supported his son in-law to become the governor, the people preferred Godswill Akpabio.

    Some people are saying that you are backing  former Secretary to Government Umana Umana for the governorship?

    I have received several text messages on that matter and I believe that there is no ambition that is bigger than the collective interest of the people. Umana and I are brothers. But, we see ourselves contesting same position in government. My presence at Umana’s birthday was a pointer to the fact that, no matter the political arena you found yourselves, you must always be your brother’s keeper. Everybody can contest the governorship, but we will have only one governor.

    I will work with Umana Okon Umana so that Uyo Senatorial District can produce the governor. At that point I was referring to the interest of Uyo Senatorial District. Now, if you have it within Uyo Senatorial District and you have Umana and myself, the question will be who is the best? The answer is that late Obong Akpan Isemin, First Civilian Governor of the state is from Etinan Federal Constituency like Umana, former military governor Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga is also from Etinan Federal Constituency like Umana while Uyo federal constituency produced Obong Victor Attah, so which federal constituency is remaining to produce a governor, it is my Itu/Ibiono federal constituency in fairness and equity.

     

  • ‘Akwa Ibom PDP ‘ll not compromise zoning’

    ‘Akwa Ibom PDP ‘ll not compromise zoning’

    In this interview, Aniete Ukpe, the Chief Press Secretary/Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Akpabio speaks on the governor’s controversial pensions law and senatorial ambition. The actions of the governor. He spoke to SEUN AKIOYE on the Pension issue and much more.

    Governor Akpabio has amended  the Akwa Ibom Pensions Law. Why did he bow to public pressure?

    Actually, this was a 16-year old law, which was just amended by the House after due deliberation of an executive bill. The state government noticed a lacuna in the open-ended provision for the medical treatment of former governor and deputy governor and their spouses. It therefore, sought to put a ceiling to it to safeguard against it against abuse and protect public funds.

    In clear terms, the amendment was right and was made with all good and patriotic intentions. Sadly though, in Akwa Ibom State, politicians try to reap selfish political capital out of everything. Where the law simply put a ceiling on how much, in terms of health insurance, former governors and deputy governors and their spouses who were sick (note who were sick) were entitled to annually, the politicians mischievously cast it as if it were a yearly pay out to former governors and deputy governors. This was preposterous falsehood!

    On  why Governor Akpabio decided to have the law amended, you should remember that he ended his speech to the press by referencing Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s quotation that “history will vindicate the just.” History will definitely vindicate him. Take this for an example; the legendary scientist, Galileo Galilei was the first man to propose that the earth moves around the sun and not the sun moving around the earth. That did not sit well with the religious establishment led by Archbishop Asconia Piccolomini, who maintained that scripture’s position was that Joshua asked the sun to stand still and it did. Galileo argued that Joshua may not have known, but all the same God may have caused the earth to stop for Joshua to achieve his ends. He maintained that scripture was true but should not be taken literally or in the context of man’s understanding. He was put on trial (like the press put Governor Akpabio on trial), and asked to recant. He did in the interest of peace. But when he left the court, he looked up at the sky and at the ground and stamping his foot, said, “Eppur si muove!” (still this earth moves). Today history has vindicated Galileo.

    If the press had sought to be fair, it would have compared the Pensions Law in Akwa Ibom with those of other states and they would have known that Akwa Ibom has the most modest of  such law in Nigeria. I believe that history will vindicate Governor Akpabio.

    Some people have argued that the Pensions Law ran into a storm because the press was not carried along?

    Such thinking is not only patronising, it gives the impression that some sections of the press cannot analyze events on their face value. You do not need to carry the press along when you are sending your child to school. You do not have to carry the press along when you are undertaking a righteous cause of action. Remember to the pure all things are pure. This is more like noticing that your house is on fire and your try to fix it up. Only for your neighbour to block the fire truck and claim that you did not carry him along before calling the fire truck.

    What Governor Akpabio did was a righteous act and he could not have anticipated that men who do not wish the state well would seek to destroy it for their selfish advantages using the press. Governor Akpabio is not just any governor, he is a governor, whose uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State speaks for him, and testifies to his statesmanship, candor, forthrightness, integrity and good conscience. Asking for the law to be amended has been applauded by many Nigerians and has strengthened his credentials as uncommon leader with a good heart and conscience. More so it would have been unfair and unjust for these ill-intentioned politicians to seek to define his sterling performance as a governor by referencing this law.

     Why is the governor insisting on the zoning of the governorship to  Eket Senatorial District?

    When Governor Akpabio says it is the turn of Eket Senatorial District to produce the next governor, he is speaking the minds of Akwa Ibom people. His position is based on justice, equity and fairplay. These are attributes that endear him to the people and mark him out as a statesman. He had town hall meetings in all the Federal Constituencies in the state and the people were unanimous that power should be zoned to Eket Senatorial District. Eket Senatorial dDstrict is the only district that has not produced a governor in the 26 years. In line with the principle of zoning and extant agreements, it is, therefore, fit and proper for Eket senatorial district to have a sense of belonging by producing the next governor. That has been the governor’s and Akwa Ibom people’s just position. Those who fault this are a vocal minority who are not driven by altruistic interests. Added to this is that zoning is in the PDP constitution and should be observed.

    What is your reaction to the insinuation that the  Secretary to the  Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, is his anointed governorship candidate? 

    Considering his antecedents and contributions to the banking industry, the SSG, Mr Emmanuel Udom, is eminently qualified to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. He is from Eket senatorial District. He shone like a thousand stars in the banking industry and rose to the top echelon of the industry by deploying the Akwa Ibom attributes of integrity, honesty and diligence. He is doing an excellent job as the Secretary to the State Government. He commands great respect throughout the length and breadth of the state.

    The fact remains that Governor Akpabio is imbued with a democratic spirit and would not impose someone on Akwa Ibom State that the people do not want. He is too much of a democrat.

  • Mansard opens centres

    Mansard Insurance has opened two new Welcome Centres in Enugu and Uyo in Enugu and Akwa Ibom states.

    In a statement by its General Manager, Corporate Commumications, Taiwo Adeleye, the centres would provide an opportunity for its customers to purchase its products and services in life, non-life and health insurance.

    It said customers may also receive after sales services at the centres.

    The Uyo centre opened following the opening of the Mansard Welcome Centre in Enugu by the Special Adviser to the Commissioner of Youth & Sports, Akwa Ibom State, Ese Umoh.

    The welcome Centre in Uyo is meant to serve customers and prospects.

    At the unveiling event,  the commissioner  appreciated the management of the firm for coming to Uyo,  to empower the youths and also increase the awareness and benefits of risk management in the state.

    The ceremony was followed by an awareness walk to sensitise the residents of the town on the usefulness of insurance.

  • Akwa Ibom guber aspirant calls for Akpabio’s support

    A governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Bishop Samuel Akpan, has called on Governor Godswill Akpabio to support his ambition in the general elections next year. Addressing a crowd of supporters in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday, Akpan said the governor owed him a debt, which he said he should pay back by supporting him. Akpan said he supported Akpabio’s support to become governor, adding that it was time for the governor to pay back the debt. Speaking at the occasion, which also served as the flag-off of the Cross River State chapter of the Bishop Samuel Akpan Organization, Akpan said, “I have not betrayed my friend the governor. I supported an Annang man. I have paid my dues. If I was wicked to him, let me have wickedness in return. But if I was sincere, let me get sincerity in return. This is the time to test Akpabio to show the kind of man he is. This is the time to know if he is a good man. “This is the time for truth. I will never betray him. If he supports me, it shall be well with him, but if he does not, there are many questions on his table to be answered. I enjoy a massive support of Annang people because I supported an Annang man. Others should support me as I supported them.” He said he had a mission of empowerment, economic freedom and industrialisation for the people of the state.

  • Industrialisation of Akwa Ibom my priority, says Ekere

    Industrialisation of Akwa Ibom my priority, says Ekere

    The immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, has said the massive industrialisation of the state and sustainable people’s development will be his priority if elected governor.

    Ekere spoke after consultations with some Ibibio traditional rulers and the foremost socio-cultural and ethnic nationality groups in Ibibioland and Annangland.

    At each stop, Ekere was prayed for, blessed and given the nod to vie for the governorship ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) by Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio, which comprises of nine of the 14 Paramount Rulers in Ibibioland, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio and Afe Annang.

    Ekere emphasized his human development plan through a ready-made industrialisation blueprint for the state which, according to him, was designed to build on the massive infrastructure put in place by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    His words: “Governor Akpabio, my friend and brother, has put in place world-class infrastructure. But we must, as a necessity, begin to build the people.”

    During his visit to Uyio Ikpaisiong Ibibio-in-Council in Etinan, the Uyio Ikpaisong and Paramount Ruler of Etinan Local Government Area, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, who led the prayer and blessing session,

    likened Ekere to the Biblical Moses who was ejected from Pharaoh’s palace so that God’s plan in his life could be fulfilled and lauded his industrialisation programme for the state.

    The Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, prayed for Ekere’s success to come soon and advised him to remember the Ibibio race when he becomes governor.

    Ntisong Ibibio III, Obong Essien Ekidem, who leads Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, told Ekere, during a consultation visit to the group in Uyo, that he was impressed by the former Deputy Governor’s wisdom and experience in both the private and public sectors and prayed God to bless him and open doors for him in the gubernatorial race.

    Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh and Chief Ukata Akpan, who also spoke for the group, lauded Mr.Ekere’s qualities and called for free and fair PDP primaries.

    Itai Afe Annang III, Okuku Pius Effiong Eside IV, who also received Ekere and his mammoth team of elders, youths and women in Essien Udim, said Annang people were willing to stand by him as a knowledgeable man capable of building on Governor Godswill Akpabio’s achievements and legacy.

    He praised Ekere for not disrespecting the person and office of governor despite his resignation, nearly two years ago, and reasoned that the former Deputy Governor’s exit was divine as God had a better plan for him.

  • ‘No Akwa Ibom land will be ceded to Ijaw Oil Rivers state’

    The people of Akwa Ibom State are not opposed to the creation of Oil Rivers or any other state for Ijaw people, a group, Frontline Akwa Ibom Movement, said yesterday.

    But the group said it would not allow an inch of Akwa Ibom land to be excised.

    It said it would employ every legal means to resist any attempt by any group, such as the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), to “blackmail” Akwa Ibom leaders.

    In a statement by its President, Ibanga Isine, and Secretary Anietie Akpan, the group said proponents of an Oil Rivers state did not consult the people they intend to bring into the new state, but indulged in “blackmail and endless cries of neglect”.

    It said: “We, therefore, warn the IYC and Ijaw third columnists to stop misappropriating the goodwill of the Niger Delta people towards President Goodluck Jonathan and other respected Ijaw leaders.

    “The Niger Delta is made up of homogenous people with deep cultural and ancestral ties and nobody or group should attempt to live in a false fantasy that the region belongs to them.

    “We are prepared to defend the land, resources and people of Akwa Ibom State against annexationist groups and interest, and nobody should test our will.

    “IYC should concern itself with the multi-billion Amnesty Fund it has cornered as an Ijaw patrimony and leave Akwa Ibom and its people alone. Those whose kernels were cracked for them by benevolent spirits should not forget to be humble. A word to the wise is enough.”

  • Angry MOUAU students set bus ablaze over death of their colleague

    Angry MOUAU students set bus ablaze over death of their colleague

    Angry students   of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike [MOUAU] on Monday went on rampage and set ablaze an Akwa Ibom State transport commercial  vehicle that crushed to death a female student of the university.

    The first year female student was alleged to be going back to her hostel after the days’ lectures when the bus knocked her down in front of the university gate where she was standing waiting to board a cab to her place of abode.

    According to an eye witness who said that the female student was waiting for a friend of hers who had gone across the road to make some purchases when the accident occurred following the recklessness of the driver.

    It was alleged that the bus, which was  on high speed lost control and swerved towards  the  university where  it hit the  female student who was said to have died almost instantly from the impact of the vehicle on her.

    Angered by the sudden death of their colleague who killed by the careless mistake of the driver, the students on the  spur of the moment  set ablaze the vehicle even as the Driver of the bus was said to have escaped un hurt and possibly ran to the police to report the incident.

    It is a known case that the drivers of the Akwa Ibom state transport company are known for their recklessness on the road, as they have been knocking down pedestrians on the ever busy Ikot Ekpene-Umuahia road and running away.

    Some road users who commented on the unfortunate incident lamented the excessive speed and recklessness of the Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation drivers, which had led to many fatal accidents along the Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene  road.

    A student who spoke on the condition of anonymity on the accident called on the federal Ministry of Works or even the University authorities to erect speed barriers within 500 metres from the school to reduce the speed  of the reckless drivers and to avoid
    future occurrences.

    When contacted the Public Relations Officer [PRO] of the University Mrs Onyinyechi Ralph-Nwachukwu confirmed the incident to  journalists and regretted the accident that led to the death of one of theirstudents.


    Reacting to the incident, the Abia state Police Public Relations officer [PPRO] ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the story and described the accident which led to the death of the student as unfortunate.

    Ogbonna said that the police is investigating the cause of the accident while the vehicle has been removed to stop obstruction of the road and prevent another accident from happening, stressing that leaving it there could cause further accident.

  • ‘Jonathan can re-contest’

    ‘Jonathan can re-contest’

    THE PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his second term ambition in the national interest.

    They said that the state would give him a bloc vote because he has lived up to expectation in the last six years.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on their behalf in Uyo, the state capital, during the President’s visit, said the people were ready to work for his victory at the poll.

    He said: “Our dear President, let me state that you are in your home. Akwa Ibom people do not only love you as a President from the Southsouth, they also appreciate you as a brother and true Nigerian, who is committed to changing the fortunes of the nation.

    “Twice this year, Akwa Ibom people, in an uncommon resolve, unanimously passed a vote of confidence on you and your administration. In furtherance to their conviction, they urged you to step forward and contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic in 2015. That yearning is still aflame and they have kindly waited for an answer. Your Excellency, the people of Akwa Ibom people are steadfast and will go with you all the way.

    “Inspite of the challenge of insurgency facing the country, Akwa Ibom people say sail on. Sail on for evil may thrive for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Sail on, keep moving, we are with you. We shall never retreat nor surrender, for the truth is stronger than falsehood. We shall overcome because history, truth and most importantly, God Almighty, is on our side.”

    Akpabio thanked President Jonathan for justifying the confidence reposed in him by the people, stressing that he has defended democracy in the country. He said the achievements of the President are visible in the power sector, aviation, the expansion of the national infrastructure, the promotion of the local content of policy, and the restructuring of the economy

    President Jonathan thanked the people for their love and support for his administration. He commended Akpabio for his developmental strides, stressing that the projects are of high quality.

    He also commended the private sector for contributing to the development of the state, advising the governor to always create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said she was impressed by projects in the state. She said the commissioning of the Uquo Gas Plant facility at Esit-Eket and the Methanol Industry at Ibeno was historic, noting that it would boost the development of the oil and gas sector.

    The minister said the projects would create jobs for youths and supply gas to the Calabar Independent Power Plant (IPP), Cross River State.