Date Published: 04/14/10

Ibom Group Okays Akpabio for Second Term

Godswill Akpabio

A socio-political pressure group, Greater Ibom Mandate Group, GIMG, has lauded the achievements of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, saying with success recorded in infrastructure, education, health and general welfare of the ordinary people, the governor deserves a second term.

The Uyo-based group in a press statement issued at the weekend said it was moved to endorse Akpabio after an independent assessment of the key performance indicators of his government. The statement signed by the secretary of the group, Mr Essien Ufot, lauded the governor for his emphasis on education, particularly the compulsory free education scheme for every child of school age from primary to secondary school.

The group also said it was impressed by the scholarship scheme of the state government for students in the state, adding that this has helped otherwise indigent students to have access to education. “Akwa Ibom has been disadvantaged in the national scheme of things because a large proportion of the youth population some years back was denied access to good education. With what Akpabio is doing now, the state would start reaping the benefits in the coming years and subsequently bridge the literacy divide between it and the educationally advanced states of the federation.

“What Akpabio is doing now was what the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did in Western Nigeria many decades ago and today the Yoruba are the better for it. Akpabio should stay focussed especially in the face of criticisms against him from some quarters.

“We have toured the state in recent weeks and we have come to the conclusion that the Akpabio government is the best Akwa Ibom has had and we believe this is the best time to support his administration as we prepare for yet another election year. It does not make political sense to change a performing team. The Akpabio team is doing very well to better the lot of the people no matter their status and the best we can do for such team in the circumstance is to renew its mandate”, the statement said.

The project monitoring team of the group inspected several projects in the state including the dualised Ekim Itam road, Nung Udoe, Use Ikot Amama road, Nung Udoe Itak road and the completed bridge in Iyire. Also visted were the Tropicana Entertainment Centre, along Udo Udoma, Uyo, Ito road, Atan road, Market road, Chubb and Etok Akpan road, the Ikot Ekpene, Abak Highway, a federal road, constructed by the state government, as well as Afaha-obong – Etim Ekpo - Iwukem – Urua Inyang road.

The group said the strides recorded in healthcare especially the ultra-modern dialysis centre at the University of Uyo ( a federal university) which houses 17 dialysis machines would help address the increasing incidence of renal failure not only in the state but in the country in general.

“We are delighted that every aspect of life from rural electricity to education and tourism has been given adequate attention by the government. The new Ibom Airport built in record time and the exotic five-star hotel both testify to the commitment of the Akpabio government to making Akwa Ibom the ultimate tourist destination. All of this and lots more informed our decision to endorse Akpabio for a second term”, the group said.