Governor Umo Eno Announces Model Healthcare Center For Urue Offing/Oruko LGA

The people of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have become beneficiaries of the Governor Umo Eno-led administration’s policy thrust, the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda. This includes the promise of establishing a Model Primary Healthcare Centre in the area.

The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, announced the news while addressing the congregation at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Eyulor Circuit Headquarters, Diocese of Oyubia, in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area where he attended a church service. 

He explained that the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda blueprint of his administration, which aims to bring development to the grassroots, seeks to improve the lives of rural dwellers with quality infrastructure. This includes providing conducive learning environments, excellent healthcare delivery systems, electricity, roads, an affordable housing scheme, among other initiatives.

Governor Eno mentioned that his administration is constructing model primary healthcare centers across the state to complement the services provided by the secondary healthcare institutions built by the immediate past administration. He explained that primary healthcare centers are indispensable, as they serve as the first point of medical attention for rural dwellers.

He mentioned that he consulted stakeholders of Urue Offong/Oruko, and together, they determined that a Primary Healthcare Center is a fundamental community need, along with access roads.

The Governor was categorical about compensation, stating that the donated land wouldn’t require compensation since the government is bringing development to the area. He also assured that a new structure would be erected within three months.

"We are really concentrating in the local areas. So we are building new primary schools and the kind of projects we are handling in schools is not "a change of  roof kind of renovation". We are trying to create models in those schools so that our kids will love to go to school."

"We are doing primary healthcare centres too so that we can link up to the secondary healthcare facilities that was done by the last administration. I believe someone is sick in this community now. The person will need the primary healthcare facility first before referral."

"I have discussed with the leaders here and I have been told that what we need right now apart from the road is the primary healthcare centre. So I would please ask that you show us the venue, either the one that  you have that is dilapidated so that we can bring it down and put a new one or you give us a new place altogether where you want it to be cited."

"If it is a new place, we won't pay compensation on the land because we are bringing development to you."

"The people of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA did it last week, and that project has started. If it is an old place, we will work with the authorities to see how we can temporarily relocate and then, in the next two or three months, establish a brand new primary healthcare center for the local government," he stated.

On the Palliatives to cushion effects of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Eno said that he is awaiting the report of the Special Committee set up by the State Government to work out modalities for the palliative distribution and informed the people that he is concerned with delivering the palliatives to the vulnerable people who have need for those items.

The State Chief Executive confirmed that the State Government has taken delivery of thirty thousand bags of rice and two billion naira, being the first tranche of the five billion naira announced by the Federal government. 

He informed the people that the palliatives would be delivered to  designated gazetted villages through their respective Local Government Areas with names of recipients, items and quantity published for transparency and accountability.

"Talking about the palliatives, one of the things we'll do is to adopt a method where this palliatives will get to the real people that need them."

"I don't want to preempt the committee's report, but what we are thinking is that we should distribute it village by village so that every village will have a share. If we don't have a better idea than that, we will adopt that so that we can send the palliatives to Local Government Areas."

"We will inform the village heads, youth leaders, and women leaders. They will then proceed to the Local Government Councils to collect their portions."

"Don't worry about being cheated. We will publish what comes to your village. The village head or whoever is coming cannot deceive you. When they go to the Local Government, they will receive what is due to them."

"We have decided to be very open about these things because for me, I see it as blood money. People are suffering, they make things available for them and you want to take it from them. The palliatives must not end in Uyo, it must not end in Local Government headquarters. It must find its way to the villages, so that the villagers can benefit no matter how small",he assured.

Continuing, the Governor mentioned that his worship in Urue Offong/Oruko was a gesture of appreciation for the support that led to his election as the state Governor during the last general elections. He specifically thanked stakeholders and the local community for being the first in the state to openly endorse his candidacy for the gubernatorial elections.

He explained that his choice to worship in churches outside Uyo, the state capital, is to connect with the people, using the Church as a point of contact. He noted his determination to positively impact the lives of individuals in each of the Local governments Areas.

He assured the completion of the Nsit Atai-Okobo road project and thanked the Church and the people of the area for welcoming him and his entourage to their community.

Preaching on the topic 'Repent and Live,' taken from Jeremiah 15:19 and Matthew 15:14, 19-20, the Bishop of the Urue Offong-Oruko Diocese of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Victor Eyo Effiom, emphasized that the love and mercy of God are never exhausted and are always available for those who repent and return to Him.

The Cleric admonished all to repent from ungodliness and follow the way of God, which, he stressed, is the way of life.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government Prince Enobong Uwah, Head of Civil Service Elder Effiong Essien , State PDP Chairman Hon Aniekan Akpan, House of Assembly Member for Urue Offong / Oruko Hon Precious Salong,  Members of the State Executive Council , Senator for Eket Senatorial District, Barr. Sampson and other members of the National Assembly, Political Stakeholders of the area including former Deputy Governor, Amb. Etim Okpoyo , among others, worshipped with the Governor.