Why I did not collect bailout fund- Gov. Udom Emmanuel
By Governor Udom Emmanuel has given reasons Akwa Ibom State did not collect the bailout from the Federal Government, saying he wanted to safeguard the future of the people, especially the youths.
He has also challenged any pensioner in the state who is qualified for pension and who has not been paid to come forward with proof.
Speaking while kick-starting the inauguration of roads in Uyo, the state capital as part of activities marking his third year anniversary, Emmanuel said his administration would continue to deliver on his promises despite the challenges.
He said he would continue to plan and implement strategies aimed at building a strong economy for the state, hence his reason for the industrialisation drive.
“We have a blueprint for the development of the state and aggregating efforts towards that and so we should have no excuse not to deliver even in the midst of challenges and constraints. We should be able to do the much we can do,” he said.
Emmanuel said that the state is blessed with natural resources, adding that it would amount to injustice for the people if the resources were not developed.
He said that in addition to other industrial efforts , efforts were being made to process and package food related products with some of the products to serve as sources of material for further production by manufacturing firms that would still spring up in the state.
According to him, arrangements have been concluded for the building of a modern cocoa plant that would compete with others in the international market adding that his emphasis on coconut production and processing is the plant has over 300 uses
With direct and indirect employment opportunities resulting from the multiple chains of activities in the coconut business he assured that over 160,000 employment opportunities would be created for indigenes and residents.
Emmanuel maintained that his focus on internal and rural roads was to address the socio economic challenges of the people at the grassroots.
“I want people at the grassroots to also feel the impact of my administration and though these roads are short, their summation will make much impact in the lives of the people.
In his remarks, Ephraim Inyang, commissioner for works, commended the governor for the numerous road projects being executed in the state, explaining that all the roads constructed have standard drainage system to ensure that flood water would be properly drained without delay.
He also lauded the contractors for completing the job on schedule, pointing out that the access roads would go a long way in opening up the rural communities in the state.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
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