Federal Government Pledges To Turn MRO Facilities At Akwa Ibom International Airport Into National Hanger
27 Oct 2012: Aniekan Umanah
The Federal Government has pledged its readiness to collaborate with Akwa Ibom State Government in turning Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities of Akwa Ibom International Airport into a National Hanger.
Shortly after the inauguration an ultra-modern Governor’s Office and ground-breaking ceremony of International Stadium Complex Uyo, President Goodluck Jonathan made the pledge Saturday during an official reception held in his honour at Government House Banquet Hall. He remarked that "The Federal Government has decided to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State Government towards turning Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities of Akwa Ibom International Airport into a National Hanger, which would be of national importance”.
President Jonathan reasoned that having a national hanger was of national interest to the country, saying "We would continue to partner with the state, and other states, to bring in more development to the country. The Governor has done well”.
The President congratulated Governor Akpabio for the speedy transformation of the state, particularly for the commissioning of the new Governor’s Office and for the ground- breaking ceremony of the International Stadium. He noted that by embarking on the projects, Governor Akpabio has demonstrated what could be achieved by a good leader.
President Jonathan also recalled that recently he was in the state for the inauguration of the e-library and commissioning of the dualised Aka-Nung Udoe Road, among others. According to him, these feat bear an eloquent testimony about the Akpabio administration's policy to modernize the state and contribute to the democratic era. The President also noted the clear indication that democracy has taken strong roots in the state, applauding the present administration for its tremendous performance in the area of infrastructure building and development.
The President said that he was initially reluctant to partner the State Government in the construction of federal roads in the state, but decided to change his mind due to the economic importance of the roads, and coupled with the fact that Governor Akpabio is capable of completing the job on schedule. For these reasons, the Federal Government has given necessary approvals to the state government for the construction of federal roads in the state.
Governor Godswill Akpabio said the new Governor’s Office was conceived and built to meet the with demands of an ever-changing world, which is not only to be ICT compliant but to have other contemporary facilities needed for e-governance.
Governor Akpabio commended the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Obong Umana O. Umana, for cooperating with Julius Berger Group to complete the project ten months earlier than scheduled.
Governor Akpabio hopes that the same diligence, corporation and speed will apply toward constructing the Akwa Ibom State Stadium, which foundation stone was laid today. He also noted that the stadium, on completion, would boast of a 30,000 seater stadium with a banquet hall, proximate conveniences for spectators, restaurants on each floor, among others.