Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio has enjoined incoming leaders in the country to execute and complete lasting development projects that would serve as a worthy legacy for their people to remember them after leaving office.

Akpabio, who gave the advice Saturday during the inauguration of 37 life-touching projects in the state, noted that this was the surest way to alleviate poverty and enhance the well-being of the people.

At the inauguration of Dominic Utuk Avenue Dualisation (Phase 1) and the Dominic Utuk ravine Main Outfall, Flood Channel/Reclamation (Phase 1), he thanked President Jonathan for assisting in the execution of the project in which almost a section of the road was washed away by erosion.

Chief Akpabio, who stated that about 5,000 hectares of land were saved during the construction of the project, hoped that the next government would use the land for something tangible, saying that the project was an indication that his government has met the yearnings of the people and that through the project more development would come to the state.

The state Commissioner of Works, Mr. Don Etim, said the government has tackled flood menace in the area by constructing culvert across seven hectares of land and residents of the 27 streets around the area have been saved from the flood menace.

At the inauguration of the Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio Secretariat at Utu Etim Ekpo, Governor Akpabio, who commended the Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area for erecting the structure, called on incoming chairmen and councillors to continue in the maintenance of the structure, thanking the people for their prayers and support throughout his administration.

At Ukana Ikot Ideh in Essien Udim Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Works, Don Etim said though the government constructed 25 kilometres of road in the area, 22 kilometres were completed for inauguration and thanked construction giant CCECC for the speedy and quality delivery of the job.

Sir Etekamba Umoren thanked the governor for turning the hitherto rural area to an urban one, the Commissioner for Works for his assistance and Secretary to the State Government, Engr. Nkereuwem Ekanem who was then Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works for his technical expertise to the successful completion of the roads.

The governor thanked CCECC for completing the job on time, saying there was need to build good roads in the area hosting Beko Industry and the Federal Government Special Training School, among others.

Akpabio thanked the people for their support and co-operation to the company in the speedy completion of the job and lauded his Chief of Staff, Sir Etekamba Umoren, an indigene of the village for facilitating the construction of the project.

The governor had also inaugurated a modern bridge linking Ekpenyong Atai 1 and 11 in EssienUdim.

•Photo shows Akpabio cutting the tape to commission a project.