Chidi Tony/ A leading Aspirant for 2023 governorship in Akwa ibom state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Effiong Dickson Bob’s plan to embark on massive farm settlements across the senatorial districts of the state have attracted accolades and encomiums from youths across the state.
The Senator who represented Uyo Senatorial District in the National Assembly between2003-2011 had in a recent interview unveiled his heart desire to see the return of massive farm settlements as practiced in the former Eastern region to Akwa ibom state to boost food sufficiency and massive employment for the youths.
He had in the interview also lauded the impressive strides recorded by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s government in agriculture and industrialization promising to build on the gains recorded in these sectors.
He also promises to improve and sustain the legacies of Governor Emmanuel if elected as the Governor of the state in 2023.
In his words, “We will bring more industries while large scale farms will be established. We will use massive farms across the state to employ many people. People are running away from farming but we will make farming attractive. There used to be farm settlement in the old Eastern region, with schools’ houses, hospitals and market for the staff of the farms. We will have farms with facilities for farmers to relax concentrate and farm without the urge to come and stay in the city. We will create farm settlement in which people will still go to work like the ministry and live very well and train their children.
The farming estate will also have hospital and every facility to make farmers and other citizens place high premium on farming, what I am saying is realizable not fallacy”.
However, many youths in the state have reacted to the robust agricultural plan of Senator Bob for the state describing it as lofty and realistic citing his track records in various offices earlier occupied.
Mr Ndifreke Ekpo a recent graduate of chemistry university of Uyo said the introduction of farm settlement in the mould of senator Effiong Bob’s vision will take thousands of youths off the labour market. When he was the Chancellor and chairman of the governing council of University of Benin, lots of Akwa ibom people got gainful employments and as a Senator for eight years, several Akwa Ibomites in the various federal parastatals and various armed forces got there through his benevolence.
Micheal Asuquo an entrepreneur who said he was a beneficiary of senator Bob’s benevolence, said he is a man of few words who speaks with conviction.” His words are his bond, if he said so, consider it done”. He intoned.
Mrs Mary Okon a politician and business woman told our reporter that senator Effiong Bob’s determination to gun for the governorship in 2023 is a good omen for the state stressing that he has untainted history of integrity and hospitality in public service. He is not under any probe for embezzlement nor any scandal trailing him all through his political career. He is a father and his maturity in handling issues is second to none. I believe he will deliver.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of “Youths Arise for Credible Leadership” Comrade Frank Eneh Etim said the search for the next governor of Akwa ibom state has come to a conclusive end with the coming of Senator Effiong Bob.
According to him, Senator Bob is the most experienced politician among all the Aspirants, “he is humane, bold, courageous and a result-oriented Administrator”.
He further highlighted that Senator
Bob is a contended man who is not coming for self-aggrandizement but one whose heart filled with human kindness will be continue to give succor to the less privileged.
“His era will bring a new dawn for Akwa ibom state “he averred.
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