August 12, (THEWILL) – A political support group under the aegis of Grassroots Mass Mobilisers (GMM) has called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to appreciate the overwhelming support of the grassroots populace during the last general elections by addressing major issues affecting their sources of livelihood.
Such issues, according to the group, include lack of access to crop seedlings, fertilizers, portable sources of water, electricity, loan facilities and grants to farmers and small/medium scale business owners, as well as adequate knowledge of modern farming methods.
The group made the call after a solidarity match in support of the Governor along Willington Bassey Way, leading to the Governor’s Lodge, for hitting the ground running and achieving so much in less than a hundred days of his administration.
Addressing the crowd of supporters at the popular Brooks Street by Willington Bassey Roundabout in Uyo, on Friday, the National President of the group, Hon. Uduak Monday Isaiah, stressed the need for periodic organisation of training for farmers in the rural areas on modern methods of farming, proper use of fertilizers, and proper supervision to help improve on their productivity.
He, however, decried the fact that there are still communities in the State without electricity and functional healthcare facilities, even as there are communities with excess power supply but underutilised because of a lack of access roads, which could make cottage industries thrive.
“As a listening Governor, who has the interest of the people at heart and is sincerely committed to delivering the dividends of democracy, especially to the people at the grassroots, you will pay attention to the challenges so far highlighted to alleviate our plights.
“The elections have since been won and lost, it is now time to settle down for governance. Just as the strength of the building depends on the foundation, the success of a government is dependent on the policies and sincere commitment of leaders to deliver on their responsibilities.
“We are here to, once again, congratulate you on your success at the poll, your remarkable start by laying a solid foundation and being accessible, compassionate and pragmatic in your approach to governance.
“It is praiseworthy that you have fulfilled your promises to traders at Akpan Andem Market by providing financial support for small business owners, construction of internal roads in the market and making Ndiya Street motorable for easy movement of goods in and out of the market.
“In line with your campaign promises, you are gradually returning power to the grassroots by giving them the opportunity to select special assistants, who would serve as liaisons in all the political wards in the State. It has never been witnessed in the history of the State.
“I want to state here, without fear of contradiction, that you have laid a solid foundation for the ARISE agenda, which is to build the Akwa Ibom of our dreams and make it a destination of choice,” he stated.
Others, who spoke at the event, praised the Governor for starting on a good note, hoping that he will sustain the tempo of performance and do more, especially for the people at the grassroots.
Hon. Loveday Uduyok, a patron of the group, stated that he decided to join in the solidarity match because the majority of people in the State did not make a mistake in supporting and electing Pastor Umo Eno as the Governor.
He, however, pledged the continued support of the GMM at all times to ensure its contributions to the success of Eno’s administration.
The supporters, numbering over 1000, carried placards of different inscriptions in praise of the Governor such as ”Umo Eno, you are not alone”, ”the grassroots are with you”, ”solidarity is not only a feeling but also a behaviour”, and “Umo Eno for all” among many others.
The event came to a crescendo when the popular Akwa Ibom artists, the Unique Brothers, took the stage to perform their lead song, ‘Amem’, which got the crowd electrified and dancing out their sorrows into the Friday Happy Hour.
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