The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has called on the federal government to extend the rail line and road construction projects to the state to facilitate shipment of goods from the seaport to the hinterland and other parts of the country.
Governor Emmanuel made the call during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service held at Ibom Hall Ground to rededicate the state to God for the year, 2018.
He said that Akwa Ibom, which is one of the major revenue earners to the federal government had been relegated to the background in terms of concrete development.
He explained that the state did not have good inter-city roads, petroleum depots and other amenities to show for its contributions to the revenue profile of the country.
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He regretted that federal roads leading to the state had become dead traps thereby exposing commuters to untold hardship.
Some of the roads, he said, included Aba-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway and Calabar-Itu Highway.
The governor urged that the railway project to be funded with loan that the federal government had secured from China should be extended to the state.
This he argued, was necessary, because the federal government would, afterall, use resources from the state to pay back the loan.
Assuring of more developments, the governor said that he would consolidate on the development matrix of his administration to add value to the lives of the people.
He said by May this year, a second major electricity sub- station would be built in the state to boost electricity supply.
He assured of more job opportunities for the youth, stating that in September 2018 the Flour Mill would be ready for production and that bakers in the state would use Akwa Ibom Flour for their production.
Governor Emmanuel who expressed appreciation to God for the peace, stability and progress experienced in the state predicted that the state shall witness a quantum leap in infrastructure and all-round development in Year 2018.
While calling for concerted efforts from all and sundry for the development of the state, he pleaded with mischief makers to allow the government sustain the spark of development it has initiated.
He paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the state who deemed it necessary to name the state after God.
He said the solemn assembly was convened to afford the people the opportunity to renew their faith in God and use the occasion to thank God for sustaining the state and its people throughout the concluding year.
At the service, Reverend Uma Ukpai of Uma Ukpai Evangelical Mission preached on the theme “I will help thee” and predicted that the state would lead other states in every facets of life.
He spoke on the need for the people to engage in persistent prayers for God’s purposes to be accomplished in the state, maintaining that prayer is the key to surmounting life’s upheavals.
The solemn assembly which featured praises, prayers and thanksgiving was attended by Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo; Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren; Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Senators and Federal House of Representatives members; senior citizens, religious leaders and people of the state in general.
