By Inyene Pius
As a point of departure from the economic downturn caused by over-reliance on the nation's primary resource to the attainment of a viable economy, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno has stressed the need to move away from the dependency on oil and statutory allocations.
The Peoples Democratic Party's gubernatorial forerunner made this known on Tuesday during a televised interview on TVC’s Morning Breakfast Show.
Fielding responses on developmental questions, Eno observed that in order to attain a sustainable human capital development, Akwaibomites must turn to agriculture and steer the dependency wheel of socio-economic wellbeing away from crude oil.
In furtherance of his commitment towards building an economically viable Akwa Ibom, the clergyman-turned politician stated that if elected Governor in 2023, his administration will navigate the State towards commercial agriculture in order to create a food value chain for subsistent use, as well as for mass exportation.
In his words, "To move away from the dependency on oil, we sat down properly and looked at issues that we need to build on. So, we came up with the Arise Agenda which has five aspirations–Agricultural Revolution, Tourism and Environmental Management, Rural Development which is key in my heart because we really need to connect the people back to the rural areas. The rest are Infrastructural Maintenance and Advancement and Security Management."
Speaking further, Eno noted that achieving these would only come from someone who has the character, capacity, competence and compassion to carry on the work of the Governor in the State, adding that he has the pedigree, having been in the private sector where he successfully ran a business for 25 years.
"I am an entrepreneur and I know how we can make money out of this State. We must completely move away from waiting until the statutory allocation comes. We can't continue with that. We must begin to think about how to feed ourselves and then export."
"We are yet to tap from the blue economy that God has so graciously bestowed upon us in Akwa Ibom State. For the people in the riverine areas, we need to begin to see how to give them speed boats, trawlers, canning factories; fight piracy, all in a bid to ensure that we benefit from the blue economy."
"We also need to look at our primary healthcare system because if you want to tackle rural-urban migration, you must provide facilities across the 31 Local Government Areas to ensure that life is worth living in these areas. In every ward in this State, there will be cottage hospitals. We will work on local roads, markets and everything that will enable the local people to enjoy the benefits of democracy," he stated.
Describing security management as the main function of governance, Eno noted that there is need to consolidate on the peaceful administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel in order to foster economic, industrial and social advancement of Akwa Ibom State.
©️UwemedimohUmanah2022
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