Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to take ownership of government projects in their communities to ensure their sustainability and encourage further development.
Akpabio made the call on Tuesday while commissioning several community-based projects in Ika and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, according to a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Jackson Udom.
He stressed that protecting and maintaining public facilities was both a civic duty and a critical factor in sustaining government interventions. “My duty as your representative in the Senate is to ensure that I bring projects that you ask for, in the overall good of the people. You as the beneficiaries owe the government a duty to protect the facilities so that they won’t be vandalised or destroyed by enemies of progress,” he said.
The Senate President noted that communal ownership of projects would guarantee their longevity and encourage more government investment. He added that destroying public facilities under the excuse that they belong to the government only amounts to self-sabotage.
Akpabio also reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to delivering dividends of democracy, citing empowerment programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the President recently approved the financial empowerment of 1,000 Nigerians in every ward across the country to boost local economies.
Projects inaugurated during the visit included an eight-classroom block and ICT centre at St. Augustine Secondary School in Ika LGA, a 12-classroom block at Community Secondary School, and an ultra-modern market in Uruk-Ata 2, Etim Ekpo LGA.
Earlier, community leader and member of the National Communications Commission (NCC), Chris Okorie, pledged continued support for Akpabio, Governor Umo Eno, and President Tinubu, assuring them of the community’s backing in future elections.
