Okon Bassey in Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Government has directed an operational audit of the Ibom Power Plant in òrder to reposition it to yield the expected dividends for people.
The State Governor, Mr Umo Eno disclosed while speaking of his activities for the past seven months in office during broadcast to mark the new year.
Government, he said “believe strongly that with adequate power, our entrepreneurs in the state can do better and our economy will be better for it.”
To maintain the peace and safeguard the status as one of the safest states in Nigeria, he said the state government had created a full-fledged Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways manned by a retired general of the Nigerian Army.
“Two weeks ago, we successfully launched the Ibom Community Watch programme with 550 watchers commissioned for Uyo Local Government Area.
“The objective of this programme is to raise a well trained team that will protect government assets across our communities and assist in the gathering of intelligence for our security agents. “
“This initiative shall also create over five thousand jobs for our youths.
“Still on security, on December 13, 2023, I signed into Law, the Akwa Ibom Security Trust Fund Bill earlier passed by the State House of Assembly to help us mobilize funds to improve on the security architecture of our state.
“Three days ago, we launched the Akwa Ibom State Waterways Security Assets whose central mission is to secure the waterways of the State and thus help protect governments critical assets, boost the state’s comparative advantage in the blue economy, support our fishermen through the provision of enhanced security among others.
“At the event, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, was on hand to help us launch the 14 State Patrol Gunboats we had bought and donated to ensure this operation runs seamlessly.
“We also signed a contract with the Nigerian Naval Shipyard for the construction of a Passenger/Cruise ferry, with the view to turning our coastline towns into tourism hubs,” he stated.
So far, he said government had paid over N12 billion in gratuities to retired state and local government workers and leave grants in fulfillment of campaign promise to tackle the issue head-on.
“We have equally spent over N5 billionto augment the federal government’s palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and ensure that the welfare of our people is enhanced.”
“We have concluded plans to build a Centre for the Elderly Citizens in our state. This centre will house a hospital, library, supermarkets and other facilities for the use of our Elders.
“I believe that we should take care of our Elders while they still live and appreciate them for their huge contributions towards the development of our state.”
The governor thanked the legislature and the judiciary for overwhelming support in ensuring “that we work harmoniously and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”
