Governor Udom Emmanuel has advised boundary communities between Akwa Ibom and Cross River State not to allow their differences degenerate to loss of lives during conflicts.
The Governor charged the people to rather use whatever God had deposited in their communities for the benefit of their people.
The counsel was given by Governor Emmanuel on Thursday shortly after a breakfast meeting with the joint leadership of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River States Houses Of Assembly at Government House, Uyo.
He reminded the perpetrators of incessant communal clashes about the folly of their actions, maintaining that "even before we were born, the resources in that water were all there, they have not finished and they will never finish".
The Governor encouraged the two Houses of Assembly to help take on the matter and educate their constituents on the futility of communal clashes, admitting that governors also have roles to play in that direction.
On the economy, Governor Emmanuel said " We must come to that point that we look at full economic integration of the region so that we can actually start doing certain things for ourselves, we can't wait any longer".
He stated that even Governors of the region have taken the challenge upon themselves following the diminishing federal presence in the region and charged the two States Houses of Assembly to think along that line.
According to the Governor, "If you check, when last did we have the full reinforcement of the transmission lines here so that when we generate electricity, we can actually share? I am willing to give Cross River State a whole lot of electricity generated but I don't have a transmission line".
He applauded the two Speakers for acknowledging God in their endeavours and thanked the Almighty for elevating them and others to positions of authority in the country despite adversity.
The Governor, on behalf of the executive and the entire people congratulated the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on its silver jubilee and prayed God to bless the Legislature and the two states with silver and gold.
He likened the coming together of the two Houses of Assembly to a demonstration of brotherhood and called for a communique that will impact positively on the society at the end of the joint legislative session.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barrister Onofiok Luke said the visit was to invite the Governor to the events marking the 25th Anniversary of the legislature in the state, having been proclaimed on 20th January, 1992.
Barr Luke said they were also in the Hilltop Mansion to thank the Governor for giving unflinching support to the Assembly, adding that the opportunity was also for their Cross River State counterparts to pay homage to the State Chief Executive.
He restated the commitment of the State Assembly to legislate and work in harmony with other arms of Government in the overall interest of Akwa Ibom people.
The Speaker outlined the itinerary of the 25th Anniversary to the Governor and handed the invitation letter to him.
Also speaking, the Speaker of Cross River State House Of Assembly, Barrister John Lebo who is also The Chairman of PDP Speakers' Forum in Nigeria told the Governor about his efforts at that level with the aim of seeing the party back to power in 2019.
He said the world in the next 50 years, will continue to talk about knowledge, technology, information, communication and people and that what is required for all that to come together is convergence.
The Cross River Speaker described the legislature as the architect of democracy, being the only institution with the capacity to deliver on that kind of convergence, and stressed that legislators are the ones with the responsibility to formulate agenda for the future.
Barr Lebo also had these kind words for the Governor, "Your Excellency, first let me appreciate you for being a role model and mentor for children of God who have found themselves in power. I talk to my father in the Lord, Pastor Paul Enenche regularly and he speaks very well about you and the programmes that you do".
He said legislators from Cross River who are kiths and kins of Akwa Ibom people, were in the state to cement that historical ties and promised to work together for the benefit of the people, adding that similar invitation will be extended to Akwa Ibom law makers soon.
Ndifreke P. Akpan
AKSG House Press
0 comments:
Contact Us @ info@akwaibomnews.com.ng