SUNDAY February 23, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
… pledges to maintain record as Nigeria’s cleanest State, tourism destination
Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has said his administration is committed to ensuring that the State maintains its status as Nigeria’s cleanest state, while also sustaining the pursuit of making it the nation’s premier tourism destination.
The Governor who was monitoring the February edition of the State’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise at some locations in Uyo metropolis, expressed satisfaction with the compliance of citizens and the extent to which the exercise has yielded positive results.
Speaking at the Itam Junction flyover, he lauded the clean and hospitable
disposition of Akwa Ibom people which, according to him, has accounted for its Cleanliness Performance Index (CPI) award as Nigeria’s cleanest state for six consecutive years.
In his words, “From what we have seen so far, we want to thank Akwa Ibom people for observing the sanitation and clearing their environment. If you know anything about an Akwa Ibom person, you can tell that we are clean people. I believe we should continue to maintain that.
“Akwa Ibom has been declared the cleanest State in this nation up to six times. So we must continue to maintain that status.”
Commending the facelift given to the Itam flyover by the colourful artistic decoration, the Governor commended the Anietie Eka – led Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), and urged that the aesthetics be maintained, as it depicts Akwa Ibom’s rich cultural heritage.
“I am very proud of what I have seen here. Akwa Ibom is growing rapidly towards becoming the numero uno tourism destination of Nigeria, and I am sure by the grace of God that we would get there.
“These designs depict our culture, our people and who we are. I am only asking that we should maintain it, and not allow hoodlums to take over these places. We should not allow these things to be vandalized.
At the site of the new Mbiabong Motor Park complex, the Governor praised the Uyo Council Chairman for the initiative of creating the ultra-modern motor park to eliminate street loading at the Mbiabong Timber Market and the Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga Avenue, and for the level of work at the complex, expressing hope that transporters and commuters will ensure optimal utilization of the facility.
The Governor therefore, stressed the need for Akwa Ibom people to maintain a positive mindset to jointly pursue the dream of making the State a tourism destination of choice.
The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Prince Akpan Ikim, attested to the Governor’s determination to ensure clean and healthy environment in the State as exhibited in his move to personally monitor the exercise, adding that AKSEPWMA, with the cooperation of Akwa Ibom people, has moved from just working to win awards, to maintain the Akwa Ibom attitude of cleanliness.
The Chairman, Uyo Local Government Council, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, taking the Governor on a facility tour of the new motor park, applauded his gesture of personally participating in the sanitation exercise and in giving Uyo a befitting outlook, adding that the motor park project was a part of his Council’s determination to complement State Government’s effort in maintaining orderliness in the city.
