By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist Community News Desk
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, assuring that no community in the state will be left behind in the distribution of government infrastructure and social services.
Governor Eno stated this yesterday at Ebe Ekpi, Esit Eket Local Government Area, during the commissioning of a Model Primary Health Centre as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom State’s 39th anniversary.
Represented at the event by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson, PhD, the Governor said the administration’s rural development initiative was driven by the desire to bridge existing infrastructural gaps and bring disadvantaged communities to the same level of development with other parts of the state.
He acknowledged the infrastructural deficits that had existed in some communities and assured the people that his administration would continue to spread development across the state.
The Governor also expressed appreciation to the people of Esit Eket for their support and partnership with his administration, noting that their continued cooperation had contributed to the peace-building efforts of his government.
He urged the people to protect government projects and public infrastructure in their communities from vandalism and theft, stressing that such facilities were provided for their benefit.
Governor Eno said the large turnout at the commissioning, coupled with the expressions of gratitude by community stakeholders, demonstrated the importance of the project to the people.
He particularly acknowledged the presence of elder statesman and former Minister, Chief Nduese Essien, among other dignitaries at the occasion.
Describing the health centre as a strategic component of the administration’s healthcare reform agenda, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, said the facility would significantly improve access to quality healthcare services in Esit Eket and surrounding communities.
According to him, the centre has been repositioned to provide various medical services and procedures aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity in the area.
John urged residents to take full advantage of the facility, stressing that access to quality healthcare remained critical to improving livelihoods and building a prosperous society.
Welcoming the Governor and other dignitaries to Esit Eket, the Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon. Uduak Ikot, said the area had benefited from various infrastructural and economic empowerment initiatives under the Eno administration.
She described the projects as evidence of the Governor’s commitment to inclusive development and expressed appreciation for the commissioning of the health centre.
The council chairman said Esit Eket had recorded landmark projects during the State’s 39th anniversary celebrations and pledged the continued support of the people to the Governor and his administration.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power, Hon. Iniobong Robson, described the health centre as an answer to the prayers of the people, recalling the decades of infrastructural neglect experienced by the area.
Robson said the facility represented more than a healthcare project, stressing that it symbolised recognition and inclusion of the people of Esit Eket in the development agenda of the state.
He assured the Governor of the people’s continued support and commitment to reciprocating the gesture.
The member representing Esit Eket State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Udobia Friday, described the commissioning as historic, saying the facility was another demonstration of Governor Eno’s determination to take development to rural communities.
He noted that the health centre would help bridge existing healthcare gaps and bring essential medical services closer to residents.
In his remarks, the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Ernest Omoti, charged health workers in the state to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Omoti said professionalism was necessary to ensure that the people derived maximum value from the Governor’s investment in the health sector.
Other stakeholders, including former member of the House of Representatives, Mkpisong Bassey Dan-Abia; former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan; and former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for prioritising the development of underserved communities.
The APC House of Representatives candidate for Eket Federal Constituency, Dr. Eunice Thomas, described the facility as a strategic intervention capable of improving the quality of life of residents.
She urged the people to make effective use of the healthcare opportunity provided by the government and called for greater support for the APC-led administration.
The event climaxed with the presentation of an appreciation memento to Governor Eno by traditional rulers in the area in recognition of what they described as his bold efforts to transform the socioeconomic and infrastructural fortunes of Esit Eket Local Government Area.
