Pastor Umo Eno, The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has firmly cautioned individuals who are impeding development projects through the unauthorized and hurried construction of structures in communities. The governor called upon those engaging in such acts with the hope of obtaining compensation from the government to cease their actions.
Describing the action as counterproductive to development, Governor Pastor Umo Eno advised the owners of illegal buildings to dismantle them immediately. He firmly stated that his administration would not provide compensation for hastily constructed structures.
In a statement provided to newsmen in Uyo, it was revealed that Governor Pastor Umo Eno delivered a speech on Sunday at the Apostolic Church in his hometown, Ikot Ekpene Udo. He addressed worshippers during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service held to commemorate his election victory.
His words: ‘I want to use this occasion to appeal to all those raising illegal structures by the road with the hope of getting compensation to please desist from the action. This is a very serious warning.’
‘If we come with a project to your community and you obstruct it because of compensation, we will leave and take the project to another community. I will not struggle to help the people of this community. Thank God our traditional Rulers and specifically the Village heads are here.’
‘If we come to your local Government, village or Community for development, you should receive and encourage us. We are prepared to develop the rural areas, and we are prepared to work, but let it be that when we come, we don’t meet resistance in any form. I am a peace-loving Governor.’
‘I will not have any strength to fight with the youths but that does not mean we will run whenever it is necessary to fight. I am not expected to fight and force development on you.’
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‘A Local Government or Community that gives us the enabling environment is where we will develop. It is not out of place to pay compensation for the old existing structures but for the hurriedly constructed buildings we will not pay.’
Governor Pastor Umo Eno recollected an incident during his speech, sharing how the youth had hindered him from constructing a warehouse in the community during his previous role in the state Executive Council. He urged the communities to be prepared to embrace development.
Governor Pastor Umo Eno directed the 31 Local Government Council Chairmen to allocate 100 hectares of land in their domains for development projects.
He recalled his prior request for agricultural land during his service in the Ministry of Lands & Water Resources, expressing dissatisfaction with the fact that only eleven local governments had adhered to the request.
‘I remember when I was in the Ministry of Lands & Water Resources, I asked each Local Government to give us land for Agriculture. It was only eleven (11) Local Governments that complied.’
‘Now, I am appealing again to all Local Government Chairmen, please give us land not less than one hundred (,100) hectares. Send us the land plans through the Secretary to State Government and see if we will not come there and develop it for the benefit of the people of that LG,’ the governor said.
Accompanied by his supporters at the thanksgiving service, Governor Pastor Umo Eno expressed profound gratitude to his fellow kinsmen for their massive support and votes.
He recognized their instrumental role in his victory and the success of his party. He stressed that without their backing, his aspiration to become governor would have encountered serious roadblocks.
During the Thanksgiving service, Governor Pastor Umo Eno appreciated the Apostolic Church in Ikot Ekpene Udo and made a donation to support the church’s building project.
He also provided undisclosed financial assistance to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the community, who were present at the church service.