ECOWAS Scores A'Ibom Govt High On Infrastructural Development

--- reiterate commitment to partner with Nigerian government in initiating life touching and developmental projects






The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has commended the Akwa Ibom state government in the rapid infrastructural development that has taken place within a short period of time.

The Nigerian Ambassador to ECOWAS, HE, Musa Nuhu stated this during the opening ceremony of a two day event, tagged, "A National Consultation Workshop on the Ecowas post-2020 Vision" which is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning in collaboration with ECOWAS Commission, on September 28th, 2020 in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state.

Mr. Musa while giving his keynote address maintained that the rate to which Akwa Ibom state has witnessed great infrastructural development, Nigeria would have made great achievement in that sector if all governments have toed in the same direction.

"When I landed at the airport, I witnessed that the state has changed from how it was the last time I was here. I've seen majority of good roads that have been constructed, and from the airport to where I lodged, and to some places I visited, I saw good roads throughout. What this denotes is that the Akwa Ibom State government has invested hugely in infrastructure and the result is impressive. We will have the Nigeria of our dreams if all facets of government toe in this same direction."

Commending the Akwa Ibom people for their hospitality, the Ambassador stated that what he has gotten so far from the state since his arrival is an unreserved love. He said that it has gone a long way in proving that Akwa Ibom people are accommodative and their hospitality is second to none.

A keynote speaker who's also a representative from ECOWAS, Prof. Trenchad Ibia stressed the fact that the reason for the event is to review the impact at which the Commission has delivered on its core mandate, and to also find out the challenges of Nigerians as well as their expectations.
" As a body which oversees the welfare of all fifteen (15) states in the West Africa region, we've worked effortlessly to provide support to all member states and their people.

We've provided positive development in all the member states, we've played a pivotal role in the peace that has been in existence in this region overtime, and we've also enagged in training and entrepreneurial development which Nigeria has about 2500 trainees and 5400 of these entrepreneurial products.

So we're here in Nigeria to review the impacts of ECOWAS and the expectations of Nigerians. To ensure that we get the desired results, we're doing this base on zones. We are going around all the geopolitical zones of the country, so today we're in Akwa Ibom and it covers the entire south south zone."

Prof. Ibia assured that the event throughout the two days will be consultative, participatory, interactive and at the end communicated to ECOWAS as the Nigeria's decisions. He pleaded that the attendees, resource people and press men should consider the success of the programme as a collective responsibility since it has to do with the welfare of all Nigerians.

The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, HE, Mr. Moses Ekpo who represented the executive governor of the state, opined that ECOWAS had made no mistake in choosing to hold such a great event in his state. While promising ECOWAS and other representatives of their unalloyed support and cooperation towards the success of the event and to ensure that they are well taken care of, the Deputy Governor urged that they should take advantage of the infrastructural development and other achievements recorded by the Udom Emmanuel led state administration.

" the Udom Emmanuel led adminstration within this short while has changed the narratives about Akwa Ibom State.
In infrastructural development, it's on record that we've commisioned over 1700km of roads, some are under construction and many more are still counting.
Currently, we have the first state owned airline in Africa, Ibom Air and currently, it's one of the best airlines in the country. The airline which commenced operations in June last year had only two (2) aircraft, but today we have a total number of five (5) aircraft. We have our flight moving to and fro Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, Calabar, and we intend to cover other Eastern, Northern and Western States as well as African countries, but we're starting with Cameroon in the next couple of days.
Our state-of-the-art 21storey smart building whose essence is to house some multinational companies that are operational in Akwa Ibom State, has all been taken and when these companies move in, their activities will boost the economy of the state and job opportunities will be made available for our children. These are just but few of the numerous achievements of the Udom Emmanuel led adminstration."

The Deputy Governor used the opportunity to opine that the people of the south south region need ECOWAS intervention especially in areas where flooding, oil exploration and other natural disaster have become a nightmare.

While giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the organizers of the event, Mr. Felix Okonkwo who's also the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning commended the Akwa Ibom state government for giving all the necessary support to ensure the success of the event. He promised that the proceeds of the event will not only foster the growth of Nigeria, but will make Akwa Ibom a critical beneficiary of it.

The resource people from Nigerian universities, Ministries, Departments and Agencies stressed the fact that Nigeria as a country is doing very low in infrastructural, technological, utility and human development. They also maintained that the rate of inflation in the West Africa region has been high, and the level of patronage of foreign products have become a problem because it has grown beyond the rate at which local products in the region are exported.

While they commended ECOWAS on the free movement which they moved for in the region, they used the platform to call on the Commission to put in strives toward patronizing local products, and helping out in areas where infrastructure is poor.

Jah bless ma people

MY BRETHREN WILL NOT LIKE THIS NEWS

Great one..
Lalasticlala..

Arrrrrrrrrh
Good news full this state

Akwa ibom amaka
Wike come learn work abeg

Hunchogee:
Great one..
Lalasticlala..

Lalasticlala..

Bofoy4:
Arrrrrrrrrh
Good news full this state

Akwa ibom amaka
Wike come learn work abeg

Yes oo

Akwa Ibom is trying abeg,in all fronts.

PriestDaniz:
Akwa Ibom is trying abeg,in all fronts.

Yes bro

Akwa Ibom lead others follow

Nah eh! No qualms
Akwa ibom
be making Nigerians proud

FRONT PAGE

Akwa Ibom has dethrone rivers state in the south south

No be lie...