*Unveils how to cushion effects of fuel subsidy removal
*Declares politics over, governance begun
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
In a resolve to collaborate on moving Nigeria effectively forward, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, says his administration will work with President Bola Tinubu to secure as many benefits as possible from the Federal Government for his people.
The DEFENDER reports that Eno, who was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the election that produced him as governor while Tinubu came to power as president featuring on ballot as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), met with the 10-day old President as at the time of visit in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
During the visit, President Tinubu displayed a deep knowledge of Akwa Ibom State and said that he was very happy to receive Governor Eno, adding that he will support the A.R..I. S.E Agenda of his administration.
The former banker, Umo Eno, in his commitment to seeing Nigeria rise to dreamed greatness at least from his own side of the Federation, is determined to jettison any suggestive spirit of unhelpful individualism that his Akwa Ibom State and Nigerian citizens from the state will benefit.
He made this commitment known while addressing journalists after he met with President Tinubu at the Villa, during which he said that he was on a mission to build political and economic bridges for the good of Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria in general.
“ I needed to come here and congratulate the President on his assumption of Office as the President and Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria,” he said.
Governor Eno said his state needed federal intervention to develop its infrastructure and that, although he is of the main opposition, he cannot afford to work at variance with the Federal Government.
“Politics is over and governance has started,” he said.
He explained that, “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.”
Eno noted that he has so many plans for his people but that there is no way he can achieve those plans by working outside of cooperation with the President.
“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.
“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,” he explained.
Some of the areas where his state required federal intervention include the Calabar-Itu road, Ibom Deep Seaport, export license, and free trade zone for Calabar airport.
He said operating its airline, Ibom Air, the state government plans to build its capacity to import spare parts and overhaul aircraft too.
“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 finished on the road.
“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 for the maintenance, repairs, and overhauling facility 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” Eno said.
The governor also discussed the distribution of palliatives to mitigate the effects of subsidy discontinuance, with plans for further initiatives to support indigenes.
“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 several 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,” he said.
