…Lauds CLO On 2nd Democracy Day Commemorative Lecture
By Uduak Akai
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has reaffirmed its continuous commitment to the provision of basic infrastructure and human capital development till the end of his administration.
Governor Emmanuel gave the assurance during the 2nd Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Commemorative Lecture to mark the 2022 Democracy Day, with the theme, The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Deepening Democracy in Akwa Ibom State, held at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo.
Gov Emmanuel said that his government would not deter in the provision of more meaningful infrastructure to the people,despite paucity of funds occasioned by global economic downturn.
The governor, represented by the commissioner for works and fire service, Professor Eno Ibanga, maintained that although the cost of construction materials is steadily going higher by the day, his administration would not back-down on the completion of existing projects and the provision of new ones to better the lives of citizens.
He announced that during the last State Executive Council meeting, he has given approval for new roads construction in Urue Offong/Oruko and Ini Local Government Areas, award of a N200,000 per session scholarship scheme for 500 indigent students of the state extraction in public tertiary institutions as well as increased subvention to the state-owned university, AKSU.
The state chief executive officer who stressed that his focus is on service delivery since democracy is about the people, said his government is sensitive and responsive to the yearnings of the people.
“Governance is about the people, this government is quite sensitive to the yearnings of the people, we are quite responsive. Whatever this government is doing, it is for the good of the people. Let’s continue to work together,” he noted.
While asserting that Akwa Ibom is one of the states where democracy is being practiced to the fullest, the governor emphasized that his administration has done much in the areas of good roads network, healthcare delivery services, agricultural renaissance and educational development among other sectors.
He commended the Akwa Ibom State branch of the Civil Liberty Organization (CLO) for carrying out independent verification and assessment of projects embarked upon by his administration, pledging continuous accountability to the people by ensuring that budgets for projects in all sectors are prudently utilized.
He applauded the organization’s role as the watchdog of the government and society, saying his administration is open to constructive criticism.
His words, “We appreciate what CLO is doing because we welcome feedback from the people. We are talking about democratic tenets, it is the CLO that will hold people to be accountable to their offices.
“Any responsive government should think about the people and you hold us responsible and accountable. When we talk of budget tracking, we are open to criticism”.
Earlier in his address, the chairman of the CLO, Akwa Ibom State branch, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, said his organization is a non-partisan, pro- democracy and an internationally recognized human rights group, whose tenets are to fight for the human rights of Nigerian citizens and hold public service holders accountable to the people.
The CLO chairman said, the theme of this year’s lecture is apt, as the country is gearing towards general elections in 2023.
He commended the state governor and his team for the provision of laudable and people-oriented projects, calling on citizens to own the projects in their communities by safeguarding them against vandalization.
The CLO also rates the performance of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration high in projects delivery, sustenance of peace, security of lives and property of the people of Akwa Ibom.
Those who graced the occasion include: Mr Usenobong Akpabio, the chief medical director, St. Athanasius Hospital, Uyo; Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong and Prof. Joe Ushie of the University of Uyo, among others.
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