Joe Effiong, Uyo

Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State has praised Gov. Udom Emmanuel for overcoming “first term handicap.”

Speaking while receiving the governor on a consultation visit in his residence, Obong Attah said he was happy that the ‘handicap’ witnessed at the inception of the Udom Emmanuel administration had disappeared.

“During my time, I had a handicap and I spent my first term fighting that handicap, and it was in the last year of my second term that I could take off and fly. Thank God your handicap has disappeared,” the former governor said.

“I am very happy to hear the plans you have for the deep seaport, it is a fantastic idea.”

Attah, a champion of resource control in the country, who offered prayers of blessings on Governor Emmanuel, prayed that God should guide Akwa Ibom people to vote wisely during the elections.

“Two weeks ago, I looked at a pull-out of your plan for the deep seaport project, I saw the Port City, and the Industrial City that will go with it, and when I looked through the book that Sir Val Attah published shortly before I left office, the plan is exactly the same, the boundaries are the same.

“That is the kind of vision we had for the development of this state, and today I am very happy you are continuing in that vision. Thank God you call it Divine Mandate, I pray God will help Akwa Ibom people to be enlightened on who they should choose at the polls,” Obong Attah added.

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When told by Gov Emmanuel that two airliners in the fleet of the state airline, Ibom Air, would arrive the state on Wednesday, and Obong Attah said he was happy that his vision in the aviation sector was being sustained by the current governor and lauded the news of the imminent arrival of Ibom Air.

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Earlier, Emmanuel had announced the imminent arrival of two of the three aircrafts acquired for the state airline, Ibom Air. He said the aircrafts which will soon commence commercial activities to Lagos and Abuja, have currently landed in Lagos for necessary clearance from the nation’s air authorities.

He invited Obong Attah to the ceremony, which he said was a fulfillment of the former governor’s vision in aviation development in the state, adding that the third aircraft was expected to arrive in a few days.
He said the CRJ 900 can carry over 88 passengers and with the survey conducted will soon generate revenue for the state.

“Our plane is only six years old and comparatively is very new aircrafts. No other state government in Nigeria has ever attempted it, which is why I say that it is God’s Grace.

He listed the routes for the airline to include Uyo – Lagos, Uyo to Abuja and Lagos to Abuja.

“My administration is trying to build on the foundation you left for us, and we are trying to ensure that the vision you had for our people are realised,” the governor enthused.

The governor who highlighted other achievements by his administration averred that his government is building the economy to demystify politics and engage the youths in meaningful ventures.