By Chidi Okoh.
The Senate President, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio has been described as is a special, rare gift that comes to the human race once in a long stretch.
The Commissioner representing Akwa ibom state on the governing board of NigerDelta Development Commission NDDC Apostle AbasiAndikan Nkono made the remarks during exclusive interview with our Correspondent in Uyo Akwa ibom state.
According to him “I sincerely pity people who fight him because they don’t know what God has given to them. This is a man who thinks about others more than himself. For every 10 discussions I have with him, eight have to do with human empowerment and development. As Senate President, he has empowered so many people with jobs, many have received employment letters, and I mean very young people to work in juicy firms.
He further highlighted, “Akpabio has given thousands of people employment. He has given these appointments across ethnic groups too. In Akwa Ibom alone, thousands of people have collected letters of employment but many kept sealed lips. In terms of human empowerment, Senator Akpabio stands out I sincerely thank God for his life and pray for such grace too to reach out to others”.
He further emphasized that Senator Akpapio has the confidence of Mr President and has represented the President in so many events, especially the very important ones.
” At the National Assembly, he has stabilized the place and ensures that it is peaceful and rancour-free. In just one year, he has done so well.
Speaking on the criteria used by the NDDC in alloting projects in the NigerDelta region, Apostle Nkono said,
“It is mostly quota that determines what goes to states but you cannot overlook the area of interest. If you are the managing director, you will also want to attract the best to your area, just like a governor would want to to do. There is competition. Therefore, the criteria include using quota, secondly the comparative advantage of such a project which X-rays the acceptance of such projects and economic value to those concerned”.
“These are the considerations before siting projects, like the current operation Light Up The Niger Delta, which we know is appreciated by everybody. Few weeks ago, we were in Abia State, a very interior area, and the whole place is now lit up. People hardly know when it is day or night there and they run their businesses freely. In Akpasak Estate where I reside, the whole place is lit up and people discuss and move freely up to 2 a.m. and the glory goes to God and the NDDC”.
He highlighted” So many good things are coming. I will make it public once the job letters are officially released, I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but you can be rest assured that that good projects are coming.
“Higher institutions and Youth Corps members will benefit in what is coming. Also, roads and solar-powered water will come. I am the chairman of Environment Committee of the Agency and we will soon kick-start activities and you know that what is under environment is quite large, many things will take place. I am happy for the synergy between NDDC and the Akwa Ibom State government. After our inaugural meeting, we will begin to set a template for the nine states of the NDDC operations, and I will ensure that my state benefits very well. We will sit down with the state commissioner for environment to see the best way we can intervene. The state and people will be better off for the synergy and cooperation”.
