Former President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated the 1.3-kilometre, 8-metre-deep, 2x2x0.3-metre-deep underground flood control tunnel, the reconstructed section of Atiku Abubakar Avenue with street lights and the reconstructed Afaha Ube Street, Jonathan commended Governor Umo Eno for his rare performance in less than a year in office.
The former president, who observed that the governor means well for the state, averred that Governor Eno was focused and proactive with governance in tackling issues, particularly the menace of floods, even before the Federal Government’s flood alert to states.
He reechoed the governor’s charge to the people to secure government’s facilities in their domains, stating that the three-in-one project depicted focused leadership and underscored the quality of people working with Pastor Eno.
In his remarks, Governor Umo Eno noted that before he inspected the road on that fateful Sunday, he received a picture from a concerned indigene on the flooded road, which was completely impassable.
Emphasising the need, therefore, for citizens to always draw the attention of government to issues of concern over which they think government can intervene, as running the state was a collective responsibility, Eno mentioned that “the project was a product of fate and circumstance”.
Governor Eno, who maintained that he was running an open government across party lines and also open to constructive criticism, charged Akwa Ibom people to protect government projects in their domains rather than destroy them.
He reminded citizens of the state that facilities destroyed were a collective loss, as the money spent in providing such facilities was the state’s money and belongs to everyone.
“When we fix roads, do not turn them into market places; don’t destroy projects; don’t destroy facilities. Government spent money to do them. If you see any facility destroyed, know that it is your money that is being destroyed. Own projects and keep them because we will not spend money on projects that are destroyed, but we will go on to execute others.”
Reiterating his commitment to touching the lives of the citizenry, Governor Eno assured that he will continue to ensure soft infrastructure, urging the people to take advantage of the job opportunities provided by the ongoing projects in the state.
He also appreciated the presence of Jonathan and restated his determination to maintain cordial relationships with the federal government and indigenes of the state at the federal level.
