From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A political pressure group, Akwa Ibom Professional, has hailed the Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, for judicious use of the state resources for development projects.
The group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Ufot Umoren, said Emmanuel, apart from infrastructural development, has also embarked on rural electrification amongst other projects.
It noted that contrary to claims in certain quarters that the Federal Government has paid the full arrears of 13 per cent derivation fund, owed Niger Delta states, only 15 percent of the fund has been paid.
Nevertheless, the group noted that the Akwa Ibom governor has managed all the funds that have accrued to the state prudently for the development of the state.
“Available records show the Federal Government has not paid any 23 years arrears but only ten months installments in line with the Order of Court to liquidate the arrears ‘in sixty equal monthly installments’ and disbursed to states quarterly, the first quarter being February to April 2022. What this means is that only 10 months out of the 60 monthly installments have been paid with the remaining 50 months yet to be paid” the group said.
The Akwa Professionals, while describing Emmanuel as” a silent achiever, who is at home with his people and not playing to the gallery over little achievements”, recalled that the governor was celebrated recently by the United States Consul General, Will Stevens, for financial transparency and good governance.