Yesterday, Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at about 4pm, while driving through Dominic Utuk Avenue (a.k.a., Brooks Street), Uyo, somewhere before EEMJM Hotel and Suites, I was stopped by my friend and brother, the chairman of Akwa Ibom State Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA), Prince Godwin Ntukude, the agency handling the road maintenance in the state.
Ntukude’s agency is handling the Resurfacing and Overlaying of 1.7 kilometers bad portion of the Dominic Utuk Avenue.
Trust my brother, Dr. Ntukude, he used the opportunity to conduct me round the road project at Dominic Utuk Avenue, explaining government’s reasons for embarking on the Resurfacing project. I was pleased, however, with government’s reasons for the project. Even though, I told Ntukude my concerns and empathy for people living in rural communities with deplorable roads. I listed such communities to include Ifa group of villages in Etoi clan of Uyo, Oron federal constituency, Ini and Ikono LGA amongst others. And I hope government will direct either Ntukude’s AKROIMA or the Ministry of Works to move into action in these rural communities.
It would be unfair on my part not to acknowledge the many efforts of the Udom Emmanuel’s administration in area of road construction. Let me also add that, my community in Mkpat Enin is a beneficiary of this gesture, and I commend the governor for it, just like I did during the Media Parley the governor held to mark his second anniversary in office at the Banquet hall in 2017.
I am impressed at the quality of work embarked upon by the AKROIMA on the Resurfacing of Dominic Utuk Avenue. I think it will stand the test of time, and avert avoidable vehicular accidents especially, at night on the street.
There is a particular bad portion between EEMJM Hotel and Suites and Akwa Ibom Water Company that was a death-trap on that road to road users. I was interested on the overlaying of that portion and what I saw, I was satisfied.
Kudos to Governor Emmanuel and his AKROIMA led by Ntukude. They are doing a good job on Dominic Utuk Avenue resurfacing and maintenance. More grease to their elbow!
During my brief stopover interaction with Godwin Ntukude and members of his agency, Ntukude seized the opportunity to market the government to me. He listed other projects and achievements of his agency under Governor Emmanuel. He solicited my support for the governor.
I am not a politician quite obvious, but a taxpayer who is only interested in the wellbeing of the society and her people. Hence I can assure my governor of always paying my taxes as at when due. And will continue to support him to deliver on his 2015 electioneering campaign promises to Akwa Ibom people.
Again, I call on all Akwa Ibomites to support Governor Emmanuel so that he can deliver on his 2015 Five Points Agenda to the people.
I have said time without number that there must always be ONE governor to occupy the Hilltop Mansion at a particular time. Mr Udom Emanuel is empowered with the certificate of occupancy of the Hilltop Mansion till 2015, so it is the responsibility of all Akwa Ibomites and those residing within the territorial boundaries of Akwa Ibom state to always pray for him, show him love, support him and encourage him to succeed on the herculean tasks before him.
• Franklyn Isong is a public affairs commentator and conscience of the society