Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has tasked Local Government Chairmen on continued collaboration with the state government, to enhance grassroots development in the, as he felicitated them on their second anniversary in office.
The Governor dropped the charge Wednesday, October 7, 2027 during a special breakfast meeting with all chairmen of Local Government Areas at Government House, Uyo.
He commended the chairmen for their development strides in their respective areas, stressing that he was impressed with the seeming healthy competition amongst the chairmen.
The Governor who acknowledged that they were the leaders at the grassroots, urged them not to rest on their oars, but double their efforts at enhancing development at the grassroots.
He urged the chairmen to live among the people in their respective communities, maintaining that doing so will enhance security, and also stimulate the local economy.
The Governor highlighted some of his development strides at the grassroots to include model primary schools, healthcare centers, compassionate homes, and rural roads, and assured them of his administration’s commitment to delivering more development across the State.
He appreciated the chairmen for their committed service to their people, and for attending the breakfast meeting which he said afforded him the opportunity to know about some of their development initiatives.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, he called on the Chairmen to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, himself and all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the State.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udo appreciated the Governor for what he described as irrevocable support for local government administration and for his commitment to the development of the grassroots.
Dr. Udo who is the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, said the visit was in furtherance of their continuous engagement with the Governor for the development of the grassroots and also to brief him on the various programmes undertaken to enhance development in their last two years in office.
He appreciated the Governor for strengthening local governments to undertake many audacious projects cutting across road infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, sports, tourism and other areas, in the advancement of the ARISE Agenda.
Speaking with Government House correspondents shortly after the meeting, the ALGON Chairman who was flanked by his deputy, Hon Aniefiok Nkom, said,
“We also came to thank the Governor for all he has done for us at the grassroots, including building lodges for Local Government Chairmen to further bring them closer to the people at the grassroots.
“So, it is a holistic and continuous engagement, and I want to assure the people of Akwa Ibom State that we will continue to collaborate with His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to deepen and expand the frontiers of development as far as the grassroots are concerned.
“I also want to assure our people that we will continue to work assiduously to improve the condition of life of our people across the different sectors and thematic areas of the ARISE Agenda,” he added.
On the 2027 elections, he said, “I want to further assure our people that we are irrevocably committed to supporting His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Governor Umo Eno and all candidates of the APC, because of the superlative performance they have brought to bear.”
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, and the DG of Campaigns, Chief Assam Assam SAN, appreciated the Governor for his support for the local government Chairmen, and for his development strides at the grassroots level.
They urged the Chairmen to mobilise their people in support of the Governor, President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and for all candidates of the Party in 2027.
Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of a compendium of their activities in the past two years in office to the Governor.