AKPABIO OFFERS SOLUTION FOR SUCCESS OF FREE EDUCATION

The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has stated that for the free and compulsory education policy of the State Government to succeed, there must be a high level of discipline in schools.
Governor Akpabio who was speaking while commissioning 12 projects executed by the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Co-ordinating Committee in Eket Local Government, maintained that for this to happen principals and teachers need to reside in quarters within schools premises, hence, his administration’s resolve to construct/rehabilitate principals’ and staff quarters so that students and pupils could be properly monitored.
Represented by his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Paul Ekpo, the Governor commissioned projects ranging from the rehabilitated Principal’s Quarters, Nduo Eduo High School; newly constructed six Classroom Blocks, Government Primary School, Idung Iniang; Mini Water, Idung Usedem and Electrification Project at Asang Community.
Also commissioned were a Warehouse, Court Hall and Chief Magistrate Hall at Chief Magistrate Court I, Ekpene Ukpa, ten Classroom Blocks at Primary School, hospital road and Main Block at Primary Health Centre, Efoi.
Speaking further at the civic reception organized in his honour, the Governor urged school children to ensure that they study hard in order to become useful citizens, adding that emphasis will no longer be in the rehabilitation of schools but on water and electricity.
Chief Akpabio, who also took time off to pay a courtesy call on the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Edidem Timtingiko P. Enodien, said that the projects executed were aimed at transforming the lives of the people and urged them to give him their full support, adding that Eket is one of the few local government areas strategic to his administration.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Co-ordinating Committee, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the support so far given to his Committee over the years, and also thanked Eket people for being supportive of the state government while assuring them of government’s continuous determination to better the lot of the rural dwellers.
Speaking through the Co-ordinator of the Committee, Mr. Friday Udoh, the Chairman urged those communities yet to benefit to send in their request to the Committee.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Eket Local Government, Barr. Emmanuel Udoh, who expressed deep appreciation to the state government, said that besides the projects commissioned, Eket was also witnessing the on-going state-of-the-art rehabilitation work at Emmanuel General Hospital and 49 new roads, among others and that the Governor has, indeed, made Eket to retain its traditional name of being “home for the whites”.
While pledging his people’s support for the Governor beyond 2011, the Chairman, however, requested for the completion of Ikot Ukpong-Ikot Obiota road which, according to him, is a very important road as first class sands are obtained from Ikot Obiota Beach.
Earlier in his Palace, the Paramount Ruler, Edidem Timtingiko Enodien, while expressing his heart felt appreciation to the Governor, said that because of his magnanimity Akwa Ibom is one of the few States in the country where projects are being executed.
In his vote of thanks, the member representing Eket in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Jack Udonta, assured the Governor of his people’s continuous support and unalloyed loyalty even beyond 2011.
Expressing their joy and deep appreciation to the Governor, the Principal of Nduo Eduo High School, Mr. Sylvester Effiong; Headmistress, Government Primary School, Idung Iniang, Mrs. Gloria Akpanim and Mr. Uwemedimo Sunday of Idung Usedem, all pledged their continuous loyalty to the State Government.