The water project.
By Anietie Akpan
A rural water project initiated and executed by Mr Augustine Ekarika, Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Grassroots Mobilization, has thrilled residents of Ukana Ikot Udoekpat, Ukana West 1, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The water project was inaugurated and put to use at weekend.
The exercise, witnessed by the clan head of Ukana West, village head of Ukana Ikot Udoekpat, APC political structure in the Ukana West 1, stakeholders, women, and youths, was performed by the State Governor Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, the Governor commended Mr Ekarika for giving back to the community from his own resources.
Dr. Ndueso, who is the Dean of the College of Personal Assistants to the Governor, said the Governor is teaching them huge lessons on compassionate leadership, and is happy with the aide’s gesture.
“Since the Governor cannot go around all the villages and wards on his own, he charged us as his lieutenants to give back to our people on his behalf, and that is what Ekarika has just done.
“I am happy that the younger generation in Essien Udim are showing that they have been sufficiently mentored by the uncommon Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio,GCON, and energized by Governor Eno.”
Dr. Ndueso promised to convey the requests of the Royal fathers, on the need for electricity and roads in their communities, among others to the governor.
“This road is very critical and I just hope it was in the Needs Documents submitted by the stakeholders to the Governor.
“On the stretch of this road is the Ikot Amba-Nto Ide Bridge in Obot Akara, which the Governor completed and inaugurated several months ago.
“The projects for execution by the Governor this year, are those submitted to the Governor in the NEEDS Document of the respective local government areas during the town square tour and that is why it is called the People’s Budget.”
For the women who were requesting for capital to beef up their canopy/chairs hiring business , Dr Ndueso enjoined them to form a cooperative and register on the ARISE Portal to be eligible for Government grants and other benefits.
He said Essien Udim local government area has witnessed the highest number of Governor’s personal appointees since creation in 1988, with 30 personal aides to the Governor, a commissioner, and two special advisers to the governor.
He appealed to them to express their thanks better with votes for the Governor in 2027, and votes for the senate President and President Bola Tinubu respectively.
On his part, the president of the Assembly of Clan Heads in Akwa Ibom and the Clan Head of Ukana West, HRH Sylvanus Ekanem, extolled the Governor’s aide, Hon Ekarika for exhibiting an uncommon love for the community, noting that his sterling performance is not out of abundance but out of his compassion and love for his community.
The royal father further stated that, in his entire existence, no one at his level has done this well for the community.
On his part, the Village Head of Ukana Ikot Udoekpat, Ette Idung Aniefiok Akpan Udoekpat likened Ekarika to the parable of the sower in the Bible, saying that Ekarika has grown and produced fruits and has made the people of Ikot Udoekpat so proud.
Addressing the gathering, the donor, Hon Ekarika thanked God for his benevolence and the Governor for giving him the opportunity and pledged continued support to his people.
He urged the people of Ukana West 1 to continue to support Governor Eno, Senator Godswill Akpabio and PresidentTinubu come 2027.
Speaking at the event, the APC Ward Leader, Hon Elder Bassey Ekanem said he is astonished with the performance of Hon Ekarika noting that such has never been experience in the ward.
The Chairman of the APC in Ukana West Ward 1, Hon. Ime Unanam, described Ekarika as a worthy ambassador of the party and called on others to emulate him.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of 50 pieces of wrappers to the women, 11 mobile phones to the youth, two solar lights to the community and a Generator to power the water project.
The wrappers were presented by the APC Ward Chairman, Hon Ime Unanam, a former Chairman of the area, Hon John Ekanem who was accompanied by his wife and a brother of the donor, Mr Felix Justine Ekarika who chaired the occasion.
