October 05, (THEWILL) – Senate President Ahmed Lawan has called for all hands to be on deck, irrespective of political persuasion or religious affinity to surmount the security and other challenges facing Nigeria.
Senator Ahmed Lawan made the call on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene, while commissioning the 25km dualized Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road in Akwa Ibom state.
The road, which links Akwa Ibom state with Abia state, was initiated by the immediate past administration and inherited by the present administration at 20 percent completion stage.
“Let me take this opportunity to say that in Nigeria, we are going through some challenges. The purchase is any leadership at any level is to provide good leadership in dealing with challenges.
“The kind of challenges we face in this country today are the kinds the require all hands to be on deck. We need not only the Federal Government in dealing with security challenges. We need the Sub National, the state and even the local government.
“When we hold our hands together, we can sumaunt any challenge in this country. What is required of us is honestly and sincerity of purpose in our relationship. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are; we have to be as Nigerians as our citizens. That is the only way we can provide decent leadership to our people.”
Speaking shortly before the commissioning, Lawan pledged to partner the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure a refund of the amount expended by the state government on the construction of the road.
He also promised to ensure that the road which leads to Ana in Abia State is constructed beyond Ikot Ekpene to where it is supposed to be.
“The president, Muhammadu Buhari believes in infrastructure development and he has put in so much funds on the area, especially roads. I want to assure you that you have a worthy partner in the Federal Government.”
He commended the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his unwavering belief in the unity, peace, development and progress of Nigeria, and for remaining patriotic and a model in his approach to governance.
Responding to Governor Udom Emmanuel’s request for extension of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road to Aba in Abia State, the Senate President promised to investigate why the project was abandoned and to partner the state in advocating for such extension.
“We know that the road to Ana was awarded, we will find out what happened with the contractor and why he abandoned the road project that was awarded to him,” Lawan assured.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel believes in justice, unity peace progress development. you are right in all the actions you take. when this road was left at 20per cent completion, you took it over, that explains how much you love your people. you are pan Nigeria, reasonable and purposeful.
“You have been very progressive. you are showing us how to develop our country. Though a federal road, you decided to complete it for your people. You have demonstrated to Nigerians that business of development must be on all tiers of government. What the Federal government needs is partnership, cooperation and development together.
“You more than deserve a refund. I will join you in talking to the Minister of Works and Housing to facilitate a refund. Let me use this opportunity to encourage other state Governors to imitate Akwa Ibom. Let me also commend other states who have done the same. I will join the advocacy for extension of this road to Aba.
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