In the spirit of giving succor to the less privileged during the Yuletide, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on Thursday gave automatic employment to Mr. Monday Udoh Idem, a physically challenged member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The governor, who made the announcement during his visit to the PDP secretariat along Edet Akpan Avenue in Uyo, the state capital, said he was rewarding Idem for his support and loyalty to his government and the party in spite of his situation.

According to the Emmanuel, “Whether you have qualifications or not, when the offices resume next week, come to the Government House and collect you employment letter. Loyalty must be rewarded; that you left your house to come here to receive me even with crutches, I have to reward you.”

Emmanuel, who further acknowledged the support given him by PDP in the state within the last seven months in office, said he was holding the divine mandate given him by the people as a sacred trust on behalf of the people and he would continue to work for the benefit of the entire state.

He said his administration has consolidated on the gains of made by the immediate past administration and has within these few months in office attracted investors across the globe.

The governor maintained that Akwa Ibom people are a great people and would never allow their commonwealth to be stolen by people who do not wish the state well and whose real intention is to return the people to the days of servitude which they had left behind.

He wondered why the opposition party would contemplate dislodging a party whose government is not only performing but in firm control of the state.

To alleviate the suffering of other party faithful at the grassroots, Emmanuel announced the release of Inter-ministerial Direct Labour contracts to the people and assured the youths of a prime place in his administration.

He said the divine mandate given him by the people remains sacrosanct and cannot be deterred by any contrary verdict as he is poised to make Akwa Ibom State a destination for all through industrialisation.

•Photo shows Governor Emmanuel. if"'>In a related development, many residents have lamented that the current situation has never been witnessed before in the metropolis. "We have to trek a distance that is not treatable; a long kilometres because the transport fare has been increased to almost double price. This is just crazy", said a resident.

They alleged that the authorities concerned were not doing enough to frankly explain and address the situation.

However, many Nigerians have urged the government for quick intervention and resolution of whatever was the problem.

They are lamenting that the scarcity would worsen the frivolities and fun of the yuletide season as people who plan to move around might be disappointed by the increase in the transport fare.

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