Gov. Eno Concludes Two-Day Intensive Projects Inspection
... Excited At Large Number Of Youths Engaged At Project Sites
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has concluded a two-day intensive projects inspection across the State, expressing delight at the large number of people, especially youths, engaged at the different project sites.
Fielding questions from Government House correspondents at the ARISE Resort, the last point of the inspection exercise, he said the on-site projects delivery meeting was motivated by a management philosophy referred to as Management By Walking Around (MBWA) and the need for an on-the-spot assessment of the projects.
“You must be able to physically see your projects or the things you are supervising. We have visited 23 project sites in two days, and we have not even reached half, but the truth is, this gives us an on-the-spot idea. The Commissioners, Contractors and every Delivery Advisor have an on-the-spot view, an assessment of the projects,” he said.
The Governor said the visit also afforded the team an opportunity to make lots of input and inject new ideas to ensure that the projects meet the desired needs of the people.
He commended Akwa Ibom youths for their active involvement at the different project sites. He called on other youths to shun every sense of entitlement and get involved for their good and that of the state at large.
“In all the sites we have visited, what interests me so much, as you saw by yourself, is the number of young people that these projects have engaged.
“Everywhere we went, we were received by crowds of young men and women working on site, be they the engineers, skilled workers or unskilled ones. There is a site where we have female civil engineers as managing directors of their respective organisations. It gives me joy that we are bringing out our youth, and I feel happy.
“We thank God, and what I can say to our young people is to leave every sense of entitlement. The government will not bring money to anybody at home. But for every young man and woman who is ready to work, Akwa Ibom State today provides that opportunity for our young people, craftsmen, skilled men and skilled women to work. All of the 23 projects we have been to, you have seen it yourselves,” he added.
While encouraging young people who are yet to take advantage of the numerous opportunities, he said, “Money moves and gets into the hands of people who think and work with their hands. I am certain that we will continue to make progress in the Arise Agenda under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope. So we must continue to work for our people.
“Look at the Okobo road; for 16 years, that project could not be completed. Five contractors have changed hands, but today, we are just two months away from full completion. What then would you say? I met a female project engineer at that site. So even our young ladies and men, we need to see and use the opportunity that God has given to us,” the governor said.
He noted that the State under his leadership will continue to serve the general interest of the people, rather than the interests of a few.
According to him, “These projects are my reward to the Akwa Ibom people. That’s what they campaign for – good governance and transparency. That’s what they campaigned for. 354,000 people voted for me to provide good leadership, which is what we are doing.
“We are providing the enabling environment; we are giving contracts for the Aviation Village, the Medical City, the Judiciary Quarters, and the Legislative and Executive Quarters. Between all of those projects, we have almost done 400 housing units. Who will construct them? Go to the Judiciary Quarters and see our young people building. So they have work to do.
“This kind of thing gives me joy, particularly for those kinds of people who want to work. So, I am happy for the two days; stressful, no doubt, but am I happy?” he said.
Some of the project sites visited included Arise Senior Citizens Centre at Ikono/Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas, CNG Bus Terminal at Odiok Itam, Itu Local Government Area, Flood Control project at Itu Local Government Area, Road Construction project at Uyo Village Road, Uyo Local Government Area, Judiciary Officers Quarters at Ring Road III, International Convention Centre and Arise Shopping City.
Also in the list were Ibom Model Farm, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Agricultural Equipment Leasing Facility at Ekpri Nsukara, Uyo, International Terminal, Airport Clinic, Aviation Village and other projects at the Victor Attah International Airport, Nsit Atai-Okobo Road, Executive/Legislative Quarters at the Dakadda Luxury Estate, Command and Control Centre, and the ARISE Resort.
