Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has called on journalists in the State to project the image of the State positively in order to attract investors.
Governor Emmanuel who made the call during a media chat with journalists at the weekend as part of activities marking his two years in office, observed that destroying the State through unfair reportage will do no one any good. He added that Akwa belongs to all hence the need to report it in good light.
"We have only one State which is Akwa Ibom. "Today, you drive round and see the face of Udom. Tomorrow it may be another person, but the State remains."
The Governor also used the occasion to reel out the achievements of his administration for the past two years noting that majority of the projects either embarked upon or completed are designed to give an enabling environment for business to thrive.
He noted that his administration has provided furniture in about 300 public schools, adding that model schools will be established in each constituency of the State.
The governor however hinted that the slow pace of some projects is as a result of lean resources, but assured that his administration will do its best to ensure that life touching projects are embarked upon.
Gov. Udom observed that despite the dwindling resources in the State and country at large, he has been able to consistently pay salaries and still complete projects unlike what is obtainable in some States in the country.
Speaking further, he said that his administration is on a mission to stimulate the spirit of entrepreneurship in the people so that no youth will be seen idling away at home when there are lots to be done. "We're trying to let the people develop entrepreneurial spirit."
On the abandoned Science Park project, he explained that the idea behind the project was good but noted that the speed with which technology changes means that the project, as it was designed, can no longer meet the changing trends in ICT today. Hear him: "the Ibom Science Park was a good idea but technology grows every day.
The concept behind the Park cannot meet the ICT of today. It needs a total restructuring and reevaluation to bring it up to speed with the times."
On the issue of local government election, the governor explained that the economic situation of the country cannot support an election at present.
He stressed that preparing and executing a LG election now will further cripple the economy of the State, adding that instead of ploughing scarce resources into conducting LG election, he'll rather channel the money into more projects that'll enhance the living standards of the people.
"We're on course not applause. I cannot play to the gallery by using scarce resources to conduct local government election. I cannot borrow money from the bank to run LG election with 26 percent interest."
Governor Emmanuel noted that his administration is taking the issue of power supply seriously, stressing that the State will soon enjoy steady power supply.
"We are building power sub-station at Nwaniba Road to achieve steady power supply from our generating plant at Ikot Abasi."
The Governor also assured the people of the State that he is embarking on life touching projects that will add value to them and not elephant projects that will only draw applause with little or no value. "We're embarking on projects that will change lives and add value, not elephant projects."
Addressing the issue of the teachers' recruitment exercise, he noted that the action of the government was in good faith and aimed at ensuring that top quality teachers impart knowledge in schools and not those whom he can't allow teach his own children.
"A teacher I cannot allow to teach my children will not find their way to our public schools. I am positioning our schools to run at par or even better than those in private schools."
Governor Emmanuel advised Africa to take the issue of economy seriously failure of which he said may not bode well with the continent in the nearest future.
"In Africa, if we don't tackle the issue of economy now, in the next four to five years, I don't know what will happen."
He called on the people yo be law abiding while assuring them of his administration's commitment to rewriting the narrative of the State.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Information and strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, called on media professionals to work in concert with the State government in order to bring all round development to the State even as he identified the media as partners in progress.
He revealed that the State government has instituted an health scheme that will cater for about 250 journalists. "250 journalists in Akwa Ibom State are to benefit from the Health Insurance Scheme instituted by this government."
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