Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has lauded Udom Emmanuel, his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, for paying attention to the development of rural communities, amid provision of quality access roads.
Bala said this during the inauguration of the 17.95 Km Anua-Mbak-Ishiet road and 1.65Km outfall drainage in Uyo and Uruan local government areas of the state.
“I can see that the people of this community are positively touched by your midas touch because you have delivered what they have been craving for so many years,” he said.
He said that with the hallmark of excellence that Governor Udom Emmanuel has used his experience and pedigree to bring to bear in governance through inventions and innovations particularly in urban renewal and rural development and that what he is leaving behind for the state is more than just a footprint.
“With your age, pedigree and experience, and what you have testified with these projects, rural communities are being transformed to centre of excellence, you have written your name in gold,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Emmanuel affirmed that his focus on rural communities was to fulfill his promises and in appreciation of the massive support of rural dwellers towards the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
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“These days I have been talking to my colleagues to join me for commissioning of projects in the rural areas because these are the people that voted for us. These are the people that make PDP thick by showing faith in the party.
“We might not be able to go into the houses of people one after the other but if we do a life touching project like the Anua-Mbak-Ishiet road that traverses two local government areas, we know we are touching lives of the rural dwellers”, he stated.
He assured on the completion of the second phase of the road to provide smooth access to the Uruan paramount ruler’s palace. This, he promised to make funds available before exiting office to avoid leaving a burden on the incoming administration.
On his part, Umo Eno, governor-elect, commended Governor Emmanuel for the impact of the development projects and acknowledged the economic viability of Anua-Mbak-Ishiet road, describing it as the commercial route of the state.
He pledged to further the on the benefits of the projects by providing embankments at the river shore, a jetty, cold rooms and fish processing facilities to enhance the seafood business of the Etoi, Ishiet, Mbak and Anua people.
Reviewing the project, Eno Ibanga, Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, said the 17.95km Anua-Mbak-Ishiet road has 13.1km alignment, which is 10.3m wide with side drainage.
He explained that specifications of the road met the standards of road construction anywhere in the country as it has150mm laterite sub-base, 150mm crush stone base and 50mm asphalt wearing course.
He added that phase I of the project links several communities to ring Road III and it has opened up the area for commercial activities, especially transportation of sea foods to the urban areas and outside the state.
Goodwill messages were received from the paramount rulers, local government chairmen and state lawmakers of the two benefiting local government areas, who commended the governor for retelling their story with the construction of the road.
The inauguration of the road project was part of the activities that will culminate in the exit of the present administration on May 29, 2023.
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