The President of the Senate, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, explained that the regional commissions created across the country by President Bola Tinubu are aimed at the development of the regions and the empowerment of the people.
Akpabio disclosed this in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, during his constituent briefing/empowerment session, noting that the President has touched many lives through continuous constituent projects across the country.
Akpabio, however, urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu as he struggles to fix the country's economy and touch the lives of more Nigerians across the ethnic divide.
He said Nigeria was on life support before Tinubu was elected president in 2023, adding that despite the unpleasant situation, the president was determined to fix the battered economy.
“President Tinubu encountered very bad conditions on the ground; no one envied him. He said he was determined to change the situation. Encourage him to change the situation. We believe that at the end of the day, we will move the country forward. He did it before in Lagos and he will do it again in Nigeria. Just give it time; he will take us to our El Dorado.
“I want us to know that Nigeria was on life support when the people voted Tinubu to become president. One day I asked you, Mr. President, after assuming the presidency and seeing the level of economy that Emefiele left behind, are you excited? He said: Well, I am determined to change the situation,” Akpabio said.
He mentioned that Tinubu has shown a lot of love for the South East by giving them a key ministry, the Ministry of Public Works, and by signing the South East Development Commission into an Act of Parliament. He explained that all other regional development commissions would be signed within a short time.
“The President has shown love to the Southeast. He has signed the South East Development Commission into an act of parliament. Furthermore, key ministries have been assigned, not based on votes but based on need.
“The Southeast has many ecological problems; The Southeast has very bad roads, as does the South-South, and Mr. President decided to give us the Ministry of Public Works, in addition to other key ministries, including the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
“Akwa Ibom is out of petrol, from Utapete to Ibeno. Above all, the President allowed our state to produce citizen number 3: the president of the Senate. The last time we had that opportunity was in 1979. President Tinubu deserves our full support.”
While distributing items such as bags of rice, fleets of cars, generator sets, freezers, tractors, tricycle vans, tricycles and minibuses, motorcycles, sewing machines, makeup kits and cash transfers of two hundred thousand naira to 2,000 university students. , among others, Akpabio said the gesture was supported by the president to thank the people for their votes and support.
The Senate President commended Governor Umo Eno for his peaceful disposition and said he would reciprocate the Governor's kind gesture during Christmas when he sent 1,000 bags of rice to the APC in the state by sending 1,500 bags of rice to the PDP. He ordered that the PDP president should immediately procure rice for its members.
“I want to thank the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno. Without peace there will be no development. The governor has decided to embrace all Akwa Ibom people, regardless of their political affiliation. Even during Christmas, the Governor sent 1,000 bags of rice to the APC in the state and that is why I request that the PDP chairman come forward and bring 1,500 bags of rice for its members.
“We are touching all local governments. They will receive Keke Napep, generator sets, freezers to store their fish and other things, and tricycles for those bringing palm products from the villages. In fashion we have sewing machines, makeup kits, etc. For the beneficiaries, use your items well,” he said.