By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Governor Umo Eno has given full backing to Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), to demolish all illegal structures obstructing natural waterways in Akwa Ibom.
Eno made this known while addressing a cross section of government officials and other leaders during the June edition of government house monthly prayer service held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House Uyo.
The Governor noted that Akwa Ibom has been listed as one of the flood prone states in this year’s predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET hence the need for proactive measures to avert any flooding disaster.
It would be recalled that NiMET had listed 148 LGAs in 31 states, including Akwa Ibom to be at risk of severe flooding from April to November 2024.
He emphasized that rather than allow few buildings to cause flooding that could submerge an entire community or area, government would not hesitate to pull down structures built illegally on water ways.
The Governor therefore directed the leadership of UCCDA to proceed with the demolition of such buildings in the state capital to avoid any flooding incident in the state.
Speaking on the one project per local government initiative, the Governor appealed to stakeholders to show leadership and be more interested in development plans in their various areas as the initiative enters the second phase across the thirty-one Local Government Areas.
He noted that while his government is committed to doing more in the state, stakeholders must be more involved, especially in ensuring that the projects are executed for the overall interest of the people.
Beyond infrastructure development, he said the idea behind the One-Project-Per-Local Government initiative was to create jobs and empower the youth, expressing the believe that the few youth saddled with the contracts should do well to engage other youths in the course of executing the project and thereby expand the scope of youth development and empowerment.
He maintained that while government has given free hand to the benefiting areas to choose projects and locations, the stakeholders should equally ensure unity of purpose, collaboration, and spread across different wards and units.
Commenting on the theme of the prayer service, “From Glory To Glory”, the Governor agreed that despite the enormous challenges, more work still needed to be done if the state must move to another level of glory after the first anniversary celebrations.
