FORUM OF PAST CHAIRMEN OF LGAs DECLARE SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL

As part of their solidarity and support for Governor Udom Emmanuel, the Akwa Ibom State Forum of Past Chairmen of Local Government Councils has condemned in totality the actions of Hon Aniekan Akpan, the immediate past chairman of Eket Local Government Council against the exalted office of the Governor.
The body made this known on Thursday when they paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon Victor Antai in his office.
Speaking on behalf of members of the forum, Hon Godwin Ekpo, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his vision of industrialising the state and various life touching projects that he has embark upon in just six months in office as Governor.
Hon Ekpo disclosed that the forum is loyal and will do everything possible to support the Governor in his industrialisation policy “Mr. Commissioner, please when you meet the Governor, tell him that we are solidly behind him and we will continue to stand by him throughout his 8 years as Governor”.  “We want to use this medium to condemn the action of Hon Aniekan Akpan, the statement he made was not from us”.
Ekpo who use the opportunity to send a passionate plead to the Governor concerning their unpaid severance benefit after leaving office, noted that they play a vital role in making sure that PDP emerge victorious despite strong opposition from other political parties.
In his words; “Some of us where call names, blackmails and hated by our constituents for supporting PDP in the last elections, but we stood our grounds knowing that the Governor has something good for the state, but up till now we have not receive our severance benefits. We just want to remind him because we know he will pay us”.
He also solicited a slot to be given to members of the forum in the inter-ministerial direct labour projects as members of the forum are willing to contribute to the development of the state.
Also speaking the Member representing Nsit Atai in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and former chairman of Nsit Atai, Rt. Hon Mark Esset, thanked the forum for finding out time to pay a solidarity visit to the Commissioner, and urge them to believe in the ability of Governor Udom Emmanuel to transform Akwa Ibom from civil service state to an industrialise state.
He thanked the Commissioner for being the first in the history of the forum to host his former colleague and solicit for his cooperation for the forum to grow.
In his response, Hon Victor Antai who until his appointment was a 2-term chairman of Mbo Local Government Council, noted that it was their supports and cooperation that made the Governor succeed in the governorship election and promised to table their request before the Governor during the executive council meeting.
He siege the opportunity to highlight some of the achievements of the governor in just six months in office to include; reactivation of Peacock Paint in Etinan, construction of 2-runway at the Ibom International Airport that will enable cargo plane to land, award of contract for construction of roads within the state, commissioning of Shoprite at Ibom Tropicana Complex and the ongoing work at the Ibaka Deep Seaport.
He also inform them that the Governor is making everything possible to create a level playing ground for investors to come in and invest in the state and promised that the Governor will not disappoint them.
Present during the courtesy visit include past chairmen who served from 2008 – 2015, among them were; Uyo, Ibesikpo, Etim Ekpo Ikot Abasi Nsit Atai, Mbo, Okobo, Eket, Esit Eket, Uruan, Ikot Ekpene Oruk Anam among others