•••“This is the kind of leadership that deserves support”
Former Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government, Rt. Hon. (Obongemem) Imeh Paul Afia, has said Akwa Ibom is on the threshold of a major economic leap, citing the imminent takeoff of international flights at the Victor Attah International Airport and ongoing efforts to attract investors to the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
Afia spoke Friday at the Victor Attah International Airport while exchanging views with newsmen shortly after Governor Umo Eno returned from an official trip to the United Kingdom, where the State Chief Executive joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in engagements aimed at drawing investment interest into key projects in the state.
According to Afia, the convergence of aviation expansion and seaport development by Governor Eno signals a deliberate and well-coordinated economic strategy by the present administration.
His words: “With the airport going international soon and efforts to bring in investors for the deep seaport, Akwa Ibom is being positioned for serious economic expansion. This is the kind of leadership that deserves support."
He noted that the planned commencement of international flight operations would open up the state to global traffic, ease the movement of investors and goods, and significantly boost tourism, commerce and service industries.
Obongemem Afia added that the development would have a direct impact on the state’s Gross Domestic Product, increase internally generated revenue and stimulate job creation across multiple sectors.
“The moment you activate international routes, you change the economic equation. You attract business, you expand hospitality, you deepen trade and you create new value chains. That is what is about to happen here,” he stated.
The former Etim Ekpo council boss commended Governor Eno for what he described as a clear economic vision, stressing that the ongoing transformation of the airport into a full international hub is not just about infrastructure, but about long-term value creation.
He said the Governor’s move to complement the airport with renewed push for the Ibom Deep Seaport places Akwa Ibom in a strategic position within the Country and across the Gulf of Guinea corridor.
According to him, no state in the South South currently combines both an emerging international aviation hub and a deep seaport vision at this scale, noting that such alignment would naturally attract foreign direct investment.
Afia further observed that Governor Eno’s engagement with international partners with President Tinubu signals seriousness of purpose, adding that investors are more inclined to commit where leadership demonstrates clarity and consistency.
He urged stakeholders and residents of the state to rally support for the administration, maintaining that continuity of such policies would consolidate the gains already recorded.
The former council boss used the opportunity to commend the entire leaders of Etim Ekpo, for rallying the people in unity and strengthening grassroots mobilisation in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno.
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