By INIOBONG EKPONTA, Uyo

Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has announced the acquisition of 10 additional A220-300 series aircraft, which will complement the seven passenger airbuses in its fleets.

Governor Emmanuel, who disclosed this at the weekend during the ceremonies marking the 85th birthday of the Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government Area, Obong Etim Charles Daniel Abia, in his palace in Eket, said the agreement for the delivery of the airbuses had been concluded.

The arrival of the 10 new airbuses, according to Emmanuel, would raise the number to 17, which is expected to be distributed to cover new routes across Nigeria and West Africa as Nigeria to the Gambia route had already been established.

As his tenure winds down ahead of its 2023 terminal point, the governor, who assured of his determination to leave enduring legacies of quality projects, vowed to deliver the Eket stadium project, international market project, roads, and other development programmes in the area, stressing that the peculiarities of the terrain were being taken into consideration “to ensure works done in the long-abandoned area stand the test of time”.

Within the limit of available resources, the governor scored himself high, saying his administration has performed well with the construction companies handling projects in the state, but lamented that issues of climate and weather conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other natural occurrences have combined to slow down the pace of works across the sites, assuring that the tempo would be up when the dry weather sets in.

“People have said a lot of things about developments and projects. Your Majesty, we have had major challenges in the past two years that we never envisaged in governance.

“In the whole of 2020, nobody could do much because of COVID 19, which took into 2021. And, in 2021 we were so poised for infrastructure development, but the volume of rainfall has been unprecedented,” the governor explained.

“As I’m leaving here, we’re signing fresh agreements that will give us 10 brand new A220-300 Air Buses, so that even when I leave office, it will remain as an enduring legacy,” he added.

However, he was full of praises for the monarch, who turned 85 and spoke glowingly of the endearing characteristics of the Eket patriarch, saying: “In life, I watch out for two words in any leader and any human being, character and charisma. As a Paramount ruler, that your character, to me, is that charm that inspires devotion in others, including me”.

According to the governor, such attributes have provided an effective rallying point for the people of Eket and ultimately engender the necessary cooperation and supports his administration needed to thrive. (Saturday Tribune)

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