Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged chairmen of the state’s 31 local government areas to strengthen collaboration with the state government to accelerate grassroots development.
Eno gave the charge at a special breakfast meeting with the council chairmen at Government House, Uyo, where he commended their development initiatives and encouraged them to sustain the momentum as they marked their second anniversary in office.
The governor expressed satisfaction with what he described as healthy competition among the councils, challenging the chairmen to intensify efforts to improve the living conditions of residents in their respective localities.
Recognising their strategic position as leaders at the grassroots, Eno urged the chairmen to live among their people, noting that closer engagement with their communities and constituents would strengthen security and stimulate local economic activities.
He highlighted his administration’s grassroots interventions to include model primary schools, healthcare centres, compassionate homes and rural roads, assuring the chairmen of his commitment to extending development across the state.
The governor also thanked them for their dedicated service and participation in the meeting, which he said provided an opportunity to learn more about their development programmes and achievements.
On the 2027 general elections, Eno urged the chairmen to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, himself and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr Uwemedimo Udo, commended the governor for his sustained support for local government administration and commitment to grassroots development.
Udo, who doubles as the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, said the meeting formed part of the chairmen’s continued engagement with the governor to advance development and present an account of their programmes during their first two years in office.
He said the state government’s support had strengthened the councils’ capacity to undertake projects across road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, sports and tourism in furtherance of the ARISE Agenda.
“We will continue to collaborate with His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to deepen and expand the frontiers of development as far as the grassroots are concerned
“I also want to assure our people that we will continue to work assiduously to improve the condition of life of our people across the different sectors and thematic areas of the ARISE Agenda.” The State Chairman assured.
On the 2027 elections, Udo reaffirmed the chairmen’s commitment to supporting Tinubu, Eno and other APC candidates.
“We are irrevocably committed to supporting His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Governor Umo Eno and all candidates of the APC,” he said.
In their speeches, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Dean of Commissioners, Mkpisong Frank Archibong; APC State Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo; and Director-General of Campaigns, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, commended the governor’s support for the councils and urged the chairmen to mobilise support for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a compendium documenting the chairmen’s activities and achievements during their first two years in office to the governor.
