Governor Umo of Akwa Ibom State appeals to President Tinubu for intervention on the ITU-Calabar Road to reduce the suffering of the people making use of the road.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Eno Umo, held a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. During the meeting, Governor Umo made an appeal for urgent intervention on the deplorable state of the ITU-Calabar road to alleviate the suffering of road users.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Umo expressed his purpose for visiting the nation’s capital, which was to extend congratulations to President Tinubu on his inauguration. He also assured the president of the state’s unwavering support and loyalty to the federal government.
He also said that he made some demands from the president, including his assistance in ensuring that the Ibom deep seaport project is realized.
Asked whether the Itu-Calabar road that is in a deplorable state was discussed at the meeting, he said, “Of course, as we talked about the road you have just mentioned, the Calabar-Itu road. We will need the President to help us intervene and let’s get that done.
“We talked about our Ibom deep seaport, we will need the president to also intervene, and let’s get the seaport. I also mentioned to him the export license, the free zone for our airport, so that with the maintenance, repairs, and overhauling facilities there, we will be able to bring in spare parts to service the airplanes.
“These are strategic partnerships that we want with the federal government. So, I talked about it and he has promised to look into it, and I believe him.”
Further asked if the state is making plans to provide palliative for the people of the state to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal, Governor Umo said, “
Yesterday (Wednesday), my deputy governor distributed some palliatives to all the local governments. And as I go back, I’m scheduled to have a meeting with all the petroleum marketers in Akwa Ibom.
“So we’re looking at those ways, whatever we need to do, and the President has directed that state governors, of course, should work on palliatives for the citizenry. We will do just that. There are a number of things, and as we get into early next week, if you focus on Akwa Ibom, you will see various things we are going to put in place to support our people and shield them from the effects of the subsidy removal.”
On the reason for his visit, he said, “We came to visit the President, to congratulate him on the election and his swearing-in, and to pledge our support, our commitment, and our loyalty to the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Politics is over, and governance has started. So Akwa Ibom is an integral part of Nigeria, and we have to work with the federal government to ensure that Akwa Ibomites will see the benefits of democracy, and we cannot do that if we work standing apart.
“And so we came to visit the president, like I said, to congratulate him and pledge our support to work with him and our commitment as a state so that Akwa Ibomites will derive the full benefit of democracy.
“There are lots of things we expect from the federal government, and it’s only with that cooperation that we can work together and achieve the common good. Whatever I know I can do, to bring the dividends of democracy to my people, I will do it.”