Unyime Idem calls on Federal Govt to increase budget for road development

The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rep Unyime Idem, has called on the Federal government to increase budget estimates of the Federal Ministry of Works, for the purpose of developing road infrastructure in Nigeria. Idem made the call today, January 14, 2023, during the inauguration of a 1.2km Akpan Assiek Market Road with street lightings and drainage facilities, built and donated by him to the people of Ukanafun.

Idem decried the deplorable state of roads across Nigeria stating that, “The bad state of our roads have brought untold hardship, loss of lives and properties to our people.” He appealed to the federal government to increase the 2024 budget estimates of the Works Ministry to enable it function effectively in improving road infrastructure.

“Let me use this medium to call on the Federal government to take urgent steps to address the deplorable state of roads across the country. May I urge the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to increase the 2024 budget estimates for the Federal Ministry of Works. This will enable the Ministry to provide more road infrastructure across Nigeria” Idem urged.

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Speaking on the Akpan Assiek Market Road, the Apostle of Motions noted that for more than 30 years, the road has remained impassable causing untold hardship to the people but that deliverance has finally come.

“For more than 30 years, the Akpan Assiek Market Road was impassable and deplorable. It brought untold hardship to our people, especially the rural market women and traders who come from outside Ukanafun. The hitherto bad state of the road led to accidents, loss of market wares, difficulty in transporting goods and services and hindered rural economic activities. Today, deliverance and hope have come to our people as movement is now easier in a developed Ukanafun” Idem said.

Idem thanked the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for his massive investment in road development in Ukanafun and assured him of the support of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency to his completion agenda and succession plan.

“May God bless the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for accepting the invitation to inaugurate this project. Ukanafun people are eternally grateful to you for this honour and for executing several road projects which have linked our area to the outside world. We are already in election period and our leaders are moving from one ward to the other, seeking the votes of the people. Let me assure His Excellency of the massive support of Ukanafun people to his completion agenda” Idem concluded.

Idem further thanked the people for the show of love and support accorded him. He said he has a mandate to serve the people and help push the human race forward. He assured the people of more projects when reelected for a second term and urged the people to vote en-masse for all PDP candidates. Idem whose birthday coincided with the project inauguration thanked God for his benevolence noting that he has made service to his people a way of life.

“In my life of service, my concern has been how to contribute my quota to the advancement of the human race and putting smiles on the faces of people. One principle that has kept me going is that “Only a life lived for service of others is a life well lived; and that the ultimate test of man’s conscience is his willingness to sacrifice something today for the future generation whose words of thanks will not be heard”. It is for this reason that all through my life, I have decided to make a difference in the lives of those around me. The event for which we are gathered today is milestone in the trajectory of my life’s mission” Idem concluded.

While inaugurating the project, Gov. Udom Emmanuel applauded the federal Lawmaker for setting performance standards in leadership, representation and legislative brinkmanship.

“I am impressed by what I have seen here today. Unyime Idem has done well for himself and the people. This is what I call a 14-star performance. He has set performance standards in leadership, representation and legislative brinkmanship. I trust in what he has done and what he can do. All I can say to Ukanafun people is to vote for PDP again to have a repeat of what Idem has done” Gov. Udom said.

The Governor decried the absence of federal government presence in the state. He said it is lawmakers like Idem that is helping to bring the federal government presence down to the state. The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo MFR, noted that he was not surprised at the performance of Idem.

“When Idem came to notify me of his decision to heed the call of Ukanafun people to vie for the House of Representatives seat in 2019, I told him he has made one of the greatest decisions that will bring development to the people. By what he did in the telecoms sector and what he is doing now, he has contributed immensely to the development of Annangland and Akwa Ibom State” he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Professor Eno Ibanga, described Idem as a man of the people and for the people. He said what Idem has done is the highest form of representation he has seen in the state noting that when the passion is right, you see results.

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The Chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Akpan lauded Unyime Idem for his sterling performance and for bringing development back home. He said he is not regretting being Idem’s Director General in 2019 and that a good product is not hard to sell.

On his part, the political leader of Ukanafun, Rt. Hon. Obong Eno Akpan, said he was proud of Unyime Idem for setting a standard in governance and representation. He added that Idem’s performance has given him a second term unopposed.

For Barr. Aniekan Ukpanah, “Idem is a man of excellence. He is the best in Nigeria in terms of representation. He was the best Telecoms Service Provider in Nigeria. I am not surprised at the level of development he has brought to Ukanafun”.

Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang said Idem has set a standard for aspiring politicians. He added that anytime someone comes out to contest for any office, he will ask him if he will perform like Unyime Idem. When such a person leaves office, Mkpanang said he will ask him if he performed like Unyime Idem.

Highlights of the event was the inauguration of the road project by Governor Udom Emmanuel who was represented by the Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo MFR and cutting of the birthday cake.

The event was well attended by the who is who of Ukanafun LGA and notable leaders in the state.