Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has flagged off the building of 164 new Arise Compassionate Homes Initiative (ACHI) aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of widows and the down-trodden across the 31 local government areas of the State.
The exercise, LEADERSHIP learnt, commenced at Nsit Atai LGA of the State, with the governor reiterating that it was in line with his administration’s bottom-to-top approach to governance.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Humanitarian Affairs, Prince Nsikanabasi Umoekpo, the governor handed over the various project locations to the resource persons, giving each of them a two-month timeline to complete their projects.
Recall that during the celebration ceremony to mark his one year in office, the governor stated that his administration has built over 36 well furnished two-bedroom flats for the down-trodden, assuring that the second phase would commence soon.
“I came here earlier to scout for people who are actually in need of roof over their heads. I don’t send anyone, I go by myself to verify. Some of these people do not even have a thatched house like the family in Ikot Nya in Nsit Ibom LGA.
“We will erect this building in the next two months, it will be a two-bedroom flat, well furnished with solar electricity and solar powered borehole,” he assured.
Responding, the beneficiaries took turns to eulogise the governor for his kind gesture.
At Ikot Obon in Nsit Atai, Mrs Comfort Sunday expressed gratitude to the governor for finding her worthy to be one of the beneficiaries and prayed for God’s blessings upon Governor Eno and his administration.
Similarly, at Ikot Nya in Nsit Ibom, the family of Mr Friday Thomas could not hold back tears when the team arrived.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Thomas said he had no doubt that Governor Eno would perform amazingly well.
He recalled that he relocated from the city to meet his thatched house in shambles.
“This is my family land given to me by my father, I travelled in search of greener pastures, but returned to meet the house in this state.
“I’m happy today that Governor Eno’s success has become my success. I pray that God will bless him and give him more wisdom to lead,” he added.
The commencement of the flag-off took the project team to other places such as Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, Ukanafun, and Essien Udim LGAs.
The SSA to the Governor, Prince Umoekpo, was in company of the SSA to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso; the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Governor on Humanitarian Services, Mrs Mfon Isreal, and the project’s resource persons.
