A’Ibom commissioner predicts robust economy Udom
Isaac Job, Uyo
The Commissioner for Economic Development, Labour and Manpower Planning, Ekong Sampson, has said that the re-election of Governor Udom Emmanuel has set the stage for four years of effective implementation of the 2019 budget in the state.
Sampson said the 2019 budget which was christened: “Budget of industrialization for poverty alleviation” would set Akwa Ibom on a pedestal as the leading economy in Nigeria.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information and Strategy live radio programme tagged: “Update Akwa Ibom” Sampson disclosed that in addition to the completion agenda of Gov. Udom’s second term,
which would feature total commitment to the 8-point agenda of industrialization, aviation development, rural and riverine areas development, agriculture, human capacity development, security, infrastructure and small and medium scale enterprise, including commitment to peace, as a critical element for development.
“Gov. Udom is a perspective thinker, who sees beyond the moment, finds time to connect with the creator and resonates well in Akwa Ibom disposition. The re-election of the governor was very important to allow him return to fully implement the expansive roadmap he has for the state,” he stated.
He said the election underscores the significant intersection between politics and economy as well as that between peace and development.
Sampson warned that the mistake of ignoring significant economic factors while putting so much emphasis on politics, coupled with over-dependency on oil for a long time brought Nigeria’s economy to its knees.
He emphasized that politics without a strong economy puts pressure on democracy, adding that with Gov. Udom, Akwa Ibom has looked beyond oil and is making investment for the future.
He suggested that Nigeria should look up to Akwa Ibom state as a model for diversification of the economy.
The commissioner declared that in spite of threats and intimidations, Akwa Ibom people have found in Governor Udom a great apostle of the Akwa Ibom story, who has earned for state the respect of Nigerians and is passionate about making Akwa Ibom state rank as one of the very best in the country.
He appreciated the people of Akwa Ibom state for keeping faith with democracy and with the PDP in all elections and particularly, commended the people of Mkpat Enin for turning out in good number to support the candidates of their favourite party, in spite of the bomb-explosion at the INEC premises in the area and other threats he described as expression of raw greed for power by callous politicians.
