2023: 'Pastor Umo Eno Will Make Huge Impacts Within 100 Days In Office' - Dr. Essien
Chairman of Ibom Airport Development Company, Dr Iniobong Essien, has expressed optimism that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, will make tremendous marks in just 100 in office if he becomes governor in 2023.
Dr. Essien, a former commissioner for Science and Technology, stated this on Wednesday on Peace Voice, a Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) sponsored programme on Inspiration FM, Uyo.
While fielding questions from host of the programme, Mr. Ekomobong Peter, Dr. Essien who had also served as Commissioner in the Ministry of Environment, disclosed that already, Pastor Eno is conducting a needs assessment exercise in rural areas across the state.
"He is doing a needs assessment of quite a number of communities across the wards and local government areas of this state. As he comes onboard in May 29, he goes in straight to address these needs. In fact, within the first 100 days of his governance, you will find impactful projects, impactful activities that will make so much difference to the people in the rural area," he noted.
He said that Pastor Eno's government will be big on rural development as reflected in the governorship hopeful's blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, stressing that this measure would reduce rural urban migration drastically.
On agriculture, Dr. Essien said that Pastor Eno will not only support subsistent farming but will encourage farmers to engage in commercial activities in order to make profit as well as ensure availability of food in the state.
He said "Pastor Umo Eno will go beyond the consumption component of agriculture; he will also look at the business of agriculture. Why has agriculture failed in some of the place? It is because the basic infrastructures that are needed are not in place. For instance, those who produce cannot evacuate. Those who produce in excess do not have the right storage. These are the things that will be addressed so that we will have year-round availability of food."
While noting that Pastor Eno will bring his experience in the business world to bear in governance, the Medical Doctor stated that the party's standard bearer's plan to build a cargo terminal at the Victor Attah airport would create more jobs for teaming youths in the state.
He disclosed that 90 percent of the workers at IbomAir line were indigenes of the state, charging the people on the need to get trained in preparation for more job openings in the sector.
