Uyo — The Nigerian Society of Engineers is to confer a special presidential merit award on the Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio in recognition of his immense commitment to Infrastructural development of the state and Nigeria in general.

The president of the society, Engr. Kashim A. Ali, who announced this yesterday at Government House, Uyo when he paid a courtesy visit on the governor said, "The award is reserved for personalities in Nigeria who through their actions, tendencies and advocacy have placed the advancement of technological and infrastructural development of our potentially developing nation in consistent perspective".

Represented by the vice president of the body, Engr. Mayen Adetiba, he observed that Chief Akpabio has clearly met these requirements, adding that the award would be presented upon his acceptance during the opening ceremony of the 42nd National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting in Owerri, Imo State.

He congratulated the governor on the award and called on him to provide land and redeem a bus earlier promised the Uyo branch of the body.

Akpabio who accepted the award described it as a birthday gift that almost coincides with his birthday on December 9, assuring to attend the ceremony and receive it by himself.

He directed the commissioner for Land and town planning to allocate land to the NSE, Uyo branch and pledged to release the bus to them.