Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has said that he is able to change the landscape of the state through meaningful projects because he came prepared to serve and make a difference.
He said this in his address to the people of the state. “Even though the journey is still long, but in twelve months, we have shown that we came ready, with a bold and impactful governance instrument: Our Blueprint for Economic Consolidation and Expansion (aptly called, the ARISE Agenda). This agenda envisions a vibrant, inclusive, diversified and highly industrialized economy with lifelong opportunities for the improvement of social welfare conditions and broadly-shared prosperity.
“In the past one year, we have focused our attention on achieving the eight lofty goals of the Blueprint which are inextricably linked with the 17 Sustainable Goals of the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Development.
“These goals are: Poverty Reduction, Job Creation, Price Stability, Sustainable Economic Growth, Improved Standard of Living, Environmental Sustainability, Highly Educated, healthy and skilled populace, Safety and Security. To achieve these lofty goals, we have intentionally deployed multi-sector strategies and actions that prioritize Agricultural Development, Tourism Development, Environmental Management, Women and Youth Empowerment, Infrastructural Maintenance, Security, and other social advancements.”
He said he has, in the last one year, fulfilled some of the promises he made to the people. “While celebrating our past leaders, and the inspirational leadership they had brought to bear, especially in the area of hard infrastructure I had stated that it was now time to focus on soft infrastructure especially in the rural areas. These were my exact words “ To those who may be struggling to put food on the table; to those who may have given up hope because of your current circumstance, hear me and hear me very well; I will be your champion”.
“Today, one year after, and in line with the Arise Agenda’s emphasis on Rural Development we have deployed a host of social safety net initiatives or kitchen table issues that affect families- especially the poor and the most vulnerable groups in line with the poverty reduction goal of our blueprint.
“As we celebrate this great day, I make bold to say that our policy in this aspect has touched lives and helped bring governance closer to the people and in the process connect the dots of growth and development between the urban and rural communities.
“In the last one year, we have constructed access roads in the rural communities some of which until now were cut off completely from their contiguous communities. We have organized free medical outreaches that took care of the healthcare needs of thousands of people,
“We have embarked on the construction of modern two-bedroom houses under our Arise Compassionate Homes scheme for the poorest and the neediest, thirty-six of which have now been completed, and the first was handed over last week in Ibiono Ibom to the beneficiary, we hope to construct 400 units before the end of our First Term in Office.”
He said he has also kept his promise not to play politics like core politicians, given that he was a pastor. “In my inaugural speech, I stated that as a Pastor, I will work to lower the temperature of partisan politics, and reconcile our people to see politics not as blood sport or a zero-sum game but a noble game of ideas and service.
“So far, everything we have done, has been to work together with our compatriots across party lines. Even though I was elected on the platform of the PDP, but I am a Governor for all Akwaibomites and that has been the way I have run this administration so far.
“We are one people, united by our shared aspirations and hopes. Political parties are vehicles to win political offices, after which governance sets in. As I have always said, no single party or individual has the monopoly of wisdom, knowledge and power. We must work together across party lines and when the time for politics comes we play the game without bitterness.
“I call on our leaders not to inflame the passion of our people to score fleeting political points. We should handle and manage our political differences without heating up the system. Even though we are bipartisan in our approach, no one should test our resolve in maintaining peace and order for which I placed my hands on the Bible and swore to protect.”
He gave an insight into what the people should expect in the coming months. Hear him: “In our Second Year in office, we plan by the Grace of the Almighty God and the support of all people both at home and the diaspora to increase the tempo of governance in the coming years, will be focusing on implementing projects in line with the five pillars of the ARISE agenda.
“In Agriculture, we will complete the Ibom Model Farm and Resort, in partnership with the Songhai Farms of Porto Novo, we will significantly increase food production and price stability of our staple foods among others. We plan to link up existing infrastructure to a full value chain and consolidate on existing policies and programmes.
“Rural Development will continue to be well funded. I have approved the next 31 projects in continuation of the one Local Government one project initiative to commence immediately. The next set of LGA/Ward projects will be executed and completed; as well as the next set of ARISE compassionate homes.
“We will continue to construct more strategic rural roads to give access to agricultural produce. Improve the living conditions of our people via the provision of potable water, reconstruction of primary and secondary schools, and primary healthcare centers.”
