“Capacity Comes Before Empowerment, Patronage” – Gov Eno Counsels A’Ibom Youths
... Expresses Satisfaction With Pace Of Work At Arise Senior Citizens Centre
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed satisfaction at the pace of project execution at the ARISE Elderly Citizens Centre even as he has charged youths to bear their dexterity in project execution to attract government patronage.
The Governor bared his mind while fielding questions from Government House correspondents during a brief stopover at the Centre located in Itak, Ikono Local Government Area.
Impressed by the quality and progress of work at the Centre, he commended the Contractor, U&K Limited, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ukeme Peters, and the Project Delivery Advisor, Dr. Itawan James for the dexterity brought to bear in the execution of the project.
“This is my idea of young persons working hard to show their capacity to deliver. I keep challenging our young people that, if you show capacity, we will empower you.
“You must rise to the occasion. Capacity should come before empowerment; empowerment does not come before capacity.”
On the Centre, the Governor said it “is one of the facilities that we want to have here along the Medical Corridor situated between the Four Points by Sheraton and the State Specialist Hospital. And, the people involved have so far delivered to my satisfaction.”
Pastor Eno acknowledged that he does not doubt that the contractor will meet the delivery deadline.
Related: A’ Ibom Senior Citizens Share In Renewed Hope Elderly Support Scheme
“You can see the quality of work, and I’m impressed. I want to thank the Delivery Advisor and the contractor for a job well done so far. They are diligent, committed, and have shown excellence in their work here.”
In her remarks, the Project Delivery Advisor, Dr. James, appreciated the Governor for allowing her and her team to bring the vision to reality, taste and satisfaction.
Dr. James disclosed that the project will be delivered to run its programmes and activities by September this year, adding that the necessary legal frameworks that would facilitate the take off of the centre are happening behind the scenes and expressed optimism that the centre will be operational within the time frame envisaged.
“I want to thank the Governor for this project and for making it come to pass. We are going to complete it before September and we will have it running.
“All the things that need to be done, like the logistics, policies and legal frameworks, are happening behind the scenes. We will have these frameworks in place by the time this centre is commissioned to operate this facility.”
Recall that Dr. James had, during the foundation laying ceremony by the Governor in January this year, stated that the facility was not just a structure but an architectural masterpiece with befitting medical, recreational and other facilities that will not only delight the senior citizens but enable them to age gracefully.
The Governor also took a detour to inspect the progress of work at Ewet Luxury Estate, at Ewet Offot Uyo, where he walked around the facility and made valuable inputs on the project’s execution.
