Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has been applauded for partnering the World Bank on community-driven development projects in the state.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan, made the commendation during an official visit by the World Bank team to inspect and inaugurate the health centre project at Ikot Akpa Edung, Ibesikpo Asutan local government area of the state.

Nkan, who described the event as epoch-making, said the mini hospital, the first in the area, would go a long way to ameliorate the health challenges hitherto faced by people in the community.

The Commissioner, an indigene of the area , expressed the appreciation of the people to the World Bank, adding that the large turnout of indigenes at the event was a manifestation of the joy and gratitude the people have for the  organization.

He attributed this development to the people-oriented leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel which he said has attracted intervention projects from the World Bank, and called for continuous support for the administration beyond 2019.

The Commissioner, who described Akwa Ibom State as an investment hub of Nigeria, enjoined the World Bank team to take advantage of this window to invest more in the state.

The Chairman, Transition Committee of Ibesikpo Asutan, Barr. Ukana Udofia, while commending the World Bank for the gesture, assured of judicious use of the health facility.

Also speaking, the President of Ikot Akpa Edung Development Association, Dr Sebastian Ibanga who also lauded the World Bank assisted project, noted the negative effect of poor health care facility in the area.

He particularly mentioned cases where pregnant women had lost their lives in the process of child bearing due to patronage of local and untrained midwives, adding that with the health centre, there would be low mortality rate in the community, and prayed for extension of the magnanimity to other neighboring communities in the area.