Patrick Ekpo, Uyo
Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Umo Eno has given full backing to Uyo Capital City Development Authority to demolish all illegal structures obstructing natural waterways.
The Governor gave the directives while addressing a cross section of government officials and other leaders during the June edition of government house monthly prayer service held on Saturday at the Latter House Chapel, Government House Uyo.
Governor Eno noted that Akwa Ibom has been listed as one of the flood prone states in this year’s predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, hence the need for proactive measures to avert any flooding disaster.
He said “We have been warned by NIMET, so, rather than allow few buildings to cause flooding that could submerge an entire community or area, government will not hesitate to pull down structures built illegally on water ways.
“I therefore directed the leadership of UCCDA to proceed with the demolition of such buildings in the state capital to avoid any flooding incident in the state”.
Speaking on the one project per local government initiative, Governor Eno appealed to stakeholders to show leadership and be more interested in development plans in their various areas as the initiative enters the second phase across the thirty-one Local Government Areas.
Governor Eno noted that while his government is committed to doing more in the state, stakeholders must be more involved, especially in ensuring that the projects are executed for the overall interest of the people.
Beyond infrastructure development, governor Eno said the idea behind the One-Project-Per-Local Government initiative was to create jobs and empower the youth, expressing the believe that the few youth saddled with the contracts should do well to engage other youths in the course of executing the project and thereby expand the scope of youth development and empowerment.
He maintained that while government has given free hand to the benefiting areas to choose projects and locations, the stakeholders should equally ensure unity of purpose, collaboration, and spread across different wards and units.
Commenting on the theme of the prayer service, “From Glory To Glory” drawn from 2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18, Governor Umo Eno agreed that despite the enormous challenges, more work still needed to be done if the state must move to another level of glory after the first anniversary celebrations.
On Fathers’ Day celebration coming up tomorrow, the world over, Governor Eno went ahead to celebrate fathers for providing leadership, first in the families, and by extension providing stability in the larger society, and prayed for more grace upon the fathers in carrying out their unique roles.
The service had the Chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church, Reverend Ekpedeme Efanga deliver a sermon on the theme “From Glory To Glory” as intercessory prayers were also offered for peace, unity and prosperity in the state.
