By Darlington UDOBONG
The immediate past Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties and Aviation Development, Mr. Akan Okon, has hinged the success story of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the last four years and its subsequent victory, that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the 2019 polls, on the critical role of the media and its support.
Mr. Okon, who made this known during a Thank You Dinner for media practitioners in the state, gave account of his stewardship during his stay as a Commissioner in the Ministry of Special Duties and Aviation Development and maintained that the strides recorded by the Udom Emmanuel-led administration in the last four years has been unparalleled.
Reflecting on some of the projects under his purvey as a Commissioner including the 21-Storey Building, Four-Point by Sheraton, Lagos Governor’s Lodge, Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Air, Mr. Okon said the leadership and vision of Governor Emmanuel “made all a success story.”
On the 21-Storey Building, the immediate past Commissioner hinted that concrete work has been completed and the next level of the construction will commence.
On Four-Point by Sheraton, Mr. Okon, who also said Governor Emmanuel was very passionate about the facility, explained that its inability to be operational till date has been due to acquisition of the managing firm, Starwood Group, by the Marriott Group, and assured that the hotel would be fully operational since the administrative bottleneck has been settled.
On Ibom Air and the state of the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), he said “It is a major employer of labour in the state. The business plan for IbomAir is entirely viable, its economic value is enormous and it is the right step in the right direction. It has reduced the cost of business overhead for businessmen. In fact, it has offers a lot of opportunities for businessmen. So far we have recorded 65% work success on the MRO. The Udom Emmanuel government is putting everything in place to ensure the facility is 100% completed.”
On Ibom Deep Seaport and in the area of security, Mr. Okon said it has been a success story all the way, stressing that “The level of peace in Akwa Ibom sine Governor Udom Emmanuel came onboard has been unprecedented.”
He further appealed to the media to be continuous in their support to the Udom Emmanuel’s administration, saying “let your criticism always be constructive and developmental for the progress of Akwa Ibom State.”
