Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has appealed to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio to use his position as the third placed Nigerian citizen towards realising the vision of establishing the deep seaport, palm oil refinery and a petroleum products depot in the state.
The governor made the plea during a courtesy visit to him by the Senate President at the state banquet organised in honour of Akpabio and other visiting senators at the Government House in Uyo.
He explained that the development of the seaport, which has the deepest and longest water stretch in Nigeria would be an economic catalyst for Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea.
Governor Eno thanked Akpabio and his colleagues for the visit, even as he applauded President Bola Tinubu and the lawmakers for “rallying around our son and making him the President of the 10th Senate,” stressing that “he is our joy, our pride and a beacon of hope for our people.”
He noted that his predecessors did a lot for the state during their times, saying all that is required now is to maintain those facilities they put in place and to add new infrastructure where necessary.
He stated that his administration will continue to partner with the Senate President, who was also a one-time governor of the state, and President Tinubu.
The governor commended Akpabio for his love and commitment to the unity of Akwa Ibom State which he noted, was enough to put the state on a high pedestal of development.
“God brought me at this time, by His Grace, to bring about the reconciliation of His people. As they say, united we stand, divided we fall. If we must get anything for our state at the federal level, and want our state to remain the envy of others, we have no alternative but to work together as a team.
“Mr. Senate President, we are privileged as a State to have you as the number three man in the nation. We urge you to help us get the Federal Government to partner with the state in the development of the Ibom Deep Sea Port Project.
“We want you to work with us to realise our Palm Oil Processing initiative by partnering to develop modern mills and refining facilities. We also need a petroleum depot in the state to reduce the suffering of our people in getting products,” Governor Eno stated.
He added that the progress of Akwa Ibom State was more important than political divisions, and called on political leader to make their contributions to the growth and progress of the state regardless of their political parties.
In his reaction, the Senate President appreciated Governor Eno for uniting the state across political divides, describing him as “a man of peace, an apostle and disciple of peace.
Senator Akpabio added that “Akwa Ibom is a very easy state to rule and govern, but also a very difficult place to unite.”
“It is a major duty bestowed on you by God to unite the whole state. Let your actions speak unity to the state. As a governor, I united the state by appointing people into key positions without considering which tribe they came from,” Akpabio recalled.
