Alice Ekpenyong Promises Robust Cooperative, Rural Dev Bureau
The Honourable Special Adviser, Bureau of Cooperative and Rural Development, Mrs Alice Ekpenyong, has promised to work assiduously to make the Bureau a robust one.
Mrs Ekpenyong has urged management and staff of the Bureau to rededicate themselves and be more committed to their duties to ensure successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda of the Governor Umo Eno led-administration in the Bureau.
Ekpenyong, who gave the charge, Friday, February 28, while addressing Bureau’s staff at the maiden meeting with them, said work efficiency from staff members was imperative as Governor Umo Eno has special interest in the newly created Bureau and expects more from it.
According to her, rural development is a critical concept in the ARISE Agenda of the present administration, which she said has received considerable attention within the short
period of the administration as exemplified in numerous infrastructures across rural areas as well as grants and interest free loans given to farmers, traders and entrepreneurs in the state under the ongoing ARISE empowerment programme.
“We’re all working for one government which is Akwa Ibom State. I want us to do everything with a clear conscience. Everything that we are going to do from today should be to put the image of this government on a good platform. We want ideas so that we can get the needed results. Bring your ideas, I bring my own; we put it together and then the result will come.
“Akwa Ibom is a model state to many states and we want to continue to make it so. I want to admonish all of you to sit down and work. Come to work early. Do whatever you can to make the Governor proud of this Bureau. That is what I want and I want to believe that is what you want too. The Governor has a special and particular interest in this Bureau. Let’s work to stand out among all other Ministries. Let’s not disappoint the Governor,” she said.
While commending the workers for their continued support to the present administration, the Special Adviser reiterated her commitment to work in line with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Eno led-administration and sued for more cooperation from staff members to boost cooperatives and rural development in the state.
The former Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and a two-term member who represented Mbo State Constituency in the Assembly, stressed the need for mutual respect among staff members, assuring that all the complaints of the staff would be channelled to the appropriate quarters with a view of solving them.
In her remarks, the Director, Community Development, Mrs Christiana Udofia, who thanked Governor Eno for the appointment of Mrs Alice Ekpenyong as Special Adviser in the Bureau, assured the Honourable Special Adviser of their readiness to work to meet the set targets of the present administration.
Mrs Udofia stressed the need for training of staff members and community leaders for optimal work delivery.
She revealed that the major thrust of the Bureau is implementation of the state government’s rural development programmes by ensuring that rural communities are provided with social amenities and support to ‘self-help projects, among others.
The meeting which was interactive was attended by the Director, Electricals, Engr Michael Akpan, Director, Civil, Mr Jacob Emah represented by Mrs Paulina Bassey and Director, Cooperative Services, Mrs Imaobong Ibanga, represented by Mr Monday John as well as staff from the respective Directorates.
