As Akwa Ibom marks 35 years of statehood, a socio-political group, Citizens United (CU), has eulogized former governors of the state, particularly the immediate past Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for the developmental strides recorded.
The group, in a goodwill message made available to Pacesetter news, enumerated several laudable projects, policies and programmes undertaken by the Akpabio’s administration which have tremendously improved the standard of living of the people in the state.
It listed some of the uncommon transformations of Akpabio’s era, which include, “Free and Compulsory Education; Free Medical/Health Care to Children and the Elderly; Building of an International Airport; New Deputy Governor’s Lodge, New Governor’s Office, Brand New Banquet Hall, Payment of 13th Month Salary to civil servants fittingly dubbed AkpabioMber; Building of Four Flyovers; Provision of Civil Service Buses which are still conveying civil servants from their respective LGAs to Uyo today; Building of the 21st Century Anniversary Hospital in Uyo; Building of new Ikot Ekpene Correctional Facility etc.
Citizens United also mentioned as Akpabio’s achievements, the “Building of Five Cottage Hospitals in Akwa Ibom State; Building of new Police Secondary School and Mobile Police Base; Attracting a Federal Polytechnic to Akwa Ibom State (Federal Polytechnic- Ukana); initiated the construction of 1000 Units Housing Estate per senatorial District at Urua, Eket and Ikot Ekpene, amongst other Housing Projects.Cinema studios and ongoing 15 floor Hilton Hotel Uyo etc. Built a Dual Campus State University and Graduated the First Set of Students in 2015, with His Highness, Najib Hussaini Adamu the Emir of Kazaure, (1998- to date, Jigawa), as first Chancellor before exiting office.
It concluded by urging citizens of the state to unite in a strong, indivisible bond of brotherhood so as to further move the state to enviable heights in social, political, economic and cultural developments.
