Gov. Godswill Akpabio
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has identified the provision of basic infrastructure as a major driver to national development as shown from the infrastructural revolution of the state.
Akpabio spoke on Monday when the Commandant designate, National Defence College, Abuja and Director, Academic Research/Analytical Support, Rear Admiral Ndidi Patrick Agholor and 28 participants of team 8 of course 22 on Geo-strategic study of Akwa Ibom State, paid him a courtesy visit at Governor's Office, Uyo.
He noted: "I am happy to report to you that you have come to the right state where we believe that indeed infrastructure can drive national development."
Akpabio added, "Akwa Ibom State believes that infrastructure can drive national development emerging from the infrastructural revolution of the state. It is believed that so much money goes to the Niger Delta without any development being on ground. But I tell you that our state has succeeded today because the money is seen on ground through infrastructure. And we have maintained our budget of 80 per cent for capital projects and 20 per cent for recurrent expenditure.
"We were committed to bringing development to the state. That was why we put in high quality in service delivery through infrastructure such as Akwa Ibom International Airport, where we made history for the people. We also built high quality of roads with bridges, among others because we are building sustainable development for our people.
"We also develop our state through human capacity development by declaring free and compulsory education up to secondary school level to ensure mental re-orientation and also free medical care for children and pregnant women," he said.
