Akwa Ibom State Governor Tells Leaders to Deliver More Democratic Dividends

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has advised those in leadership positions to brace up and deliver democratic dividends to the people they represent.

He says politics of bitterness should be discarded as elections are over and governance has started in earnest.

The Governor made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday, in an interview after he met with President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “We came to visit with the President, to congratulate him on the election and his swearing-in and to pledge our support, our commitment and our loyalty to the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Politics is over and governance has started. So Akwa Ibom is an integral part of Nigeria and we have to work with the federal government to ensure that Akwa Ibomites will see the benefits of democracy and we cannot do that if we work standing apart.

“There are lots of things we expect from the federal government and it’s only with that cooperation that we can work together and achieve the common good, whatever I know I can do, to bring the dividends of democracy to my people, I will do it.”

Governor Eno also disclosed that his discussion with the President touched on the need to rehabilitate the Calabar-Itu road and complete work on the Ibom Deep Seaport.

“We talked about the Calabar-Itu road. We will need the President to help us intervene and let’s get that road finished. We talked about our Ibom Deep Seaport, we will need the President to also intervene and let’s get the Seaport.

“I also mentioned to him the export license, the free zone for our airport, so that the maintenance, repairs, and overhauling facility there, we will be able to bring in spare parts to service the airplanes. These are strategic partnerships that we want with the federal government. So, I talked about it and he has promised to look into it, and I believe him,” he said.

On ways of cushioning the harsh effects of the removal of subsidy on petrol, the Governor said his State is already doing something for its citizens.

He said: “Yesterday (Wednesday), my Deputy Governor distributed some palliatives to all the Local Governments. And as I go back, I’m scheduled to have a meeting with all the petroleum marketers in Akwa Ibom.

“So we’re looking at those ways whatever we need to do; and the President has directed that states Governors, of course, should work on palliatives for the citizenry.

“We will do just that there are a number of things and as we get into early next week if you focus on Akwa Ibom, you will see various things we are going to put in place to support our people and shield them from the effects of the subsidy removal.”

Dominica Nwabufo