AKWA IBOM GOVT ALLOCATES 70 PER CENT TO CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
...SPENDS N500 MILLION ON STADIUM

The State Government has explained the rationale on allocating 70 percent to Capital Expenditure and 30 percent to Recurrent Expenditure in this year’s budget.

Governor Godswill Akpabio who was answering questions from journalists from Abuja said though this was novel and painful to some people it would help to change the infrastructural development of the State.

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Governor Akpabio remarked that the government would concentrate on quality road delivery to accelerate movement of goods and persons particularly evacuation of foodstuffs from hinterland to the urban centres.

He noted that the present administration was in a hurry to develop the state and pledged that government would not borrow money to execute development projects.

According to him, about N83.6billion contract on road projects could be spaced for two years and paid to contractors from the monthly allocations accruable to the state from the federation account

Commenting on Ibom Power Plant, he said the project is on-going and would be completed as soon as some technical modalities are sorted out.

On the proposed Ibaka Seaport, the governor hinted that government had acquired land for the project and paid compensation to land owners, saying that construction work would commence as soon as some technical matters are settled by experts handling the project.

Speaking on the construction of the N6.8billion Governor’s lodge recently signed between the State Government and Julius Berger, Governor Akpabio announced that demolition of the dilapidated lodge would commence this week.

Governor Godswill announced that his administration has spent about N500million on the re-construction of Uyo Sports Stadium.

Governor Godswill said the present administration spent the money to enable Akwa United Football club to play at the stadium and to facilitate the hosting of major sports competitions.

Chief Akpabio said his government would refurbish the stadium to give it a face –lift and for some corporate bodies and individuals to patronize it.

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Commenting on Ibom Golf Resort at Nwaniba, he announced that Government has approved re-grassing of the resort for patronage by international golfers.

On educational development of Akwa Ibom, the governor described education as key to meaningful development in the society and said his administration would fight educational decay in all ramifications.

He pledged to train and re-train teachers to update their knowledge in modern teaching techniques to be able to impart same to the pupils.

Speaking on introduction of township cabs, the governor said government has taken delivery of 400 vehicles to commence Uyo Township Cab Scheme, promising to increase the fleet to 1000 later in the year.

On the security arrangements in the State, Governor Akpabio attributed the successful security operations to the handiwork of Joint Task Force known as“Operation Aduma” and the youths mostly appointed into transition committees in the local government councils.