- A/Ibom deserve better than they are getting from Gov Emmanuel – Eker
By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
The gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress party in Akwa Ibom, Mr Nsima Ekere has said the state deserves better than what it is currently getting from the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Speaking yesterday in Uyo during a press conference on his plans for the state on assumption of office, Ekere said his desire to serve as governor has been because people of the state deserve the best in education, health, infrastructure, rural development, jobs, wealth creation, and security.
Ekere said his administration will focus on five areas: economic prosperity; infrastructure and rural development; education, health and social protection; security; governance and institutional reforms.
He stated that he would address the twin challenges of mass unemployment and poverty with massive investment, noting that according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 1.8 million out of the 3.3 million economically active population of the state is unemployed.
He mentioned that his government would train and empower the physically challenged as well as revive Akwa Palm within six months in office.
Ekere noted that he would work with governors of neighbouring states and the federal government to ensure that roads within and into the state were constructed, adding that he would resume work on the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene road, Ibom Tropicana Entertainment complex and implement the science park project.
The NDDC boss stated that he would increase support for students in tertiary institutions by raising student bursary from N5, 000 to N25, 000 per session, as well as convene a summit of stakeholders and experts to discuss the progress of the education sector.
He promised to restore financial autonomy to the local governments and adopt zero based budgeting in place of envelope style budgeting and restructure the civil service as well as review the master plan of the state in line with current realities, adding that he would convene a security council meeting on conflict in border communities.
He said he is the man to be trusted to take the state to grater heights, build bridges of hope and bring real peace and healing to conflict areas within the state.
He said his administration would be interactive and inclusive, and appealed to the people of the state to vote for him, adding that their thumb print is what
“Within the first 100-180 days in office, my administration will embark on massive public works to reflate the economy, create jobs and put money in the pocket of artisans, suppliers, and contractors.
“Flag off conditional cash transfers of N5,000 to the extreme poor, N5, 000 to orphans, N100, 000 per delivery for multiple birth mothers and N5, 000 for the physically challenged, in addition to their participation in a skill acquisition programme.
“Empowerment training and funding for transformative entrepreneurs. Roll out the Graduate Farmers Scheme and other agricultural programmes.
“Address all outstanding pensions, gratuities, local government workers’ salaries, primary school teacher’s entitlements and allowances,” He said.
