Okon Bassey in Uyo
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State yesterday distributed 31 brand new 2018 SUVs (Prado Jeeps) to each of the 31 Local Government Council Chairmen in the state to aid their mobility and to work harder in office.
The official presentation of the vehicles to the council bosses was performed by the State Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, on behalf of the governor.
Making the donation, the governor expressed optimism that the vehicles will support the council executives to perform effectively in their respective assignment.
Describing the vehicles as project vehicles, Emmanuel said the gesture was in recognition of the need to assist the chairmen work with ease given the efforts and commitments they are putting in to ensure that the grassroots is not left behind in the affairs of the state.
Responding, the State Chairman of ALGON, Mr. Frank Archibong, thanked the governor for the car gift, noting that the gesture bears testament to the fact that the governor loves and cares for the third tier of government.
He described the governor as a listening and performing governor, noting that under the current administration, the third tier of government has been energised.
Accordingly, Archibong tasked his colleagues to work hard to ensure that the governor wins his re-election bid and stressed that as council chairmen, they are tied to the umbilical cord of the governor’s second term bid.
“For us to continue as chairmen, it’s imperative that our governor returns to the Hilltop Mansion in 2019. We are tied to the umbilical cord of his Excellency and we must redouble our efforts in ensuring he emerges victorious come 2019 because he has done enough to merit a second term.” he said.
The governor, he maintained has performed well in the agricultural sector, economic front, among others, and has put in place infrastructure that qualifies him to be elected for second term as governor.
He reaffirmed the support of the 31 local government chairmen for Emmanuel, stating that they’ll redouble their efforts to ensure the governor wins next year’s polls.
The brief ceremony which took place in the premises of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Government House, Uyo also had in attendance council chairmen from Ikono LGA, Itoro Columba, and Prince Uko Idiong, Ukanafun, among others.
