President Obasanjo Concludes Akwa Ibom Visit On Upbeat Note

8 August 2004
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Government of Akwa Ibom State (Uyo)
press release

Uyo — President Olusegun Obasanjo concluded his three-day working visit to Akwa Ibom State in South-South Nigeria Sunday upbeat that his administrations plans for economic and social reforms were finding root in the coastal State.

At the end of a thanksgiving service to conclude the visit Sunday, the president pledged to continue his pursuit of the reforms and asked for prayers for his administration and his host, Governor Victor Attah.

Following words of assurance at a Saturday night State banquet that he didn't take past disagreements with the State over revenue sharing as a personal affront, Mr. Obasanjo thrilled the more than 2,000 specially invited guests with promises to back some of the urgent infrastructure requests that were presented to him during his visit.

He mandated the federal-controlled Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to initiate plans before the end of this month to replace the dangerously narrow Ibagwa bridge, a key traffic artery that was built before the country gained independence in 1960. The President also promised the central government's intervention into the erosion problems that have devastated some sections of the State.

Mr. Obasanjo, who is not known for dispensing voluble praises, paid tribute to Governor Attah for boosting access to medical care through the construction and equipping of health facilities and for preparing "a new generation of Albert Einsteins" by supplying science and computer laboratories to the state's secondary schools.

State officials expressed delight with the outcome of the presidential tour. "This visit has erased whatever negative impression some people may have fed the President in the past as he has himself seen the developments here for himself," said Mr. Ise Akpaso, chief press secretary to the Governor. "The fact that he wants to come back soon confirms this. The people of the State are very appreciative.. Knowing fully well that the President is a friend of the people we know that he will soon deliver on his promises."

Mr. Nduese Essien, a member of the Federal House of Representatives from Eket constituency in the State, spoke in the same vein. "This has been a very successful visit and it has restored the deep affectionate relationship between the people, government of the State and the President," he said.

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