ARISE Agenda: AKSG to partner UNDP

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to successfully deliver on the ARISE Agenda.

The Governor made this known while receiving a delegation from UNDP, led by Resident Representative for Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, on a courtesy visit to him at the Government House, Uyo.

He noted that the State was open and ready to partner on the different thematic areas of the ARISE Agenda ranging from Agriculture to tourism, environment, rural development, women empowerment, youth empowerment, sports, power, aviation, transportation, housing, ICT, education, healthcare and others.

The Governor said the ARISE Agenda has gained momentum with some developmental strides including the reclamation and transformation of a life-threatening gully erosion site into a resort with state – of -the – facilities, model primary health centres, model primary schools and others.

Gov Eno said the state was planning to host summits on tourism and power adding that the government under his leadership was leveraging on the new International Airport, Ibom Air, the ongoing International Convention Centre and Hotels, as well as the different tourism sites to boost tourism.

He therefore, directed his Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson, to liase with the Resident Representative to fashion out specific areas of partnership.

The Governor appreciated UNDP for the ongoing ICT hub at the University of Uyo, as well as their willingness to partner with the State government, and expressed hope that it would yield positive results in the nearest future.

In her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Ms. Attafuah said she was endeared to the State following the well-articulated development blueprint tagged “the ARISE Agenda,” adding that her visit is to explore possible areas of partnership to ensure full actualisation of the Agenda.

She said the UNDP was ready to promote the vision of the ARISE Agenda by focusing on the areas of agriculture, tourism, rural development, infrastructure development, energy, security management and economic advancement.

She described the numerous achievements of the Governor Umo Eno-led administration, especially in the areas of peace, security and quality infrastructures as a testament of pragmatic leadership and also appreciated the Governor for receiving her team with so much warmth.