Governor Udom Emmanuel, while exchanging views with reporters on arrival at Ibom International Airport from an official engagement in Abuja, has attributed the giant strides of his administration in agricultural development and other sector of the economy to the pivotal role of the Federal Government in granting approval for the Central Bank of Nigeria to sponsor the Anchor’s Borrowers Scheme that has fast tracked the development of agriculture in all states of the Federation.
He noted that agricultural development has been the initiative of the Federal Government and explained that states key into the project to ensure wealth creation and food sufficiency, “I dont want to take credit for that, we should thank the President of the country who has given approval for the Central Bank to fund the Anchor’s Borrowers Scheme which the states have benefitted”
The Governor pointed out that the power sector is in dire need of attention and called on the Federal Government to intervene in the distribution of power to save the sector from imminent collapse. “There’s need to intervene, especially in the area of transmission. States like ours are able to generate but cannot transmit. It’s a problem”. He noted.
Governor Emmanuel said that Akwa Ibom has not received it share of 13% derivation fund for two months and has complained to the appropriate authority awaiting necessary action.
He particularly appealed to the Federal Government to reimburse the state over 140 Billion naira expended on the repairs of Federal infrastructures within the state saying if 50% of such money is paid, the state would be able to add value to it infrastructural consolidation now that the dry season has approached.
He described as successful the National Economic Council meeting as well as the meeting of the Governor’s Forum saying that far reaching decisions that would ginger the Country’s development were reached at the meeting.
On the formation of the state Executive Council, according to our reporter, Governor Emmanuel said that he would go for the best hands but remarked that such persons should be able recite the Dakkada re-orientation philosophy creed.
On ground to receive him, which was very unusual, were his deputy, Mr. Mosses Ekpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barr Onofiok Luke, Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren, Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan, and Permanent Secretaries.
A’IBOM HAS NOT RECEIVED 13% DERIVATION FUND FOR TWO MONTHS – UDOM
