Governor Godswill Akpabio has expressed optimism that the on-going capital projects in Akwa Ibom would create employment opportunities to enhance the living standards of the people in the state.

He was speaking yesterday in an interview with journalists after inspecting the ongoing 20th Anniversary Hospital and Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

According to him, “The quality of the projects is good and the timing is right and these projects would create employment opportunities to enhance the living and standard of the people. I believe this stadium project would be completed September of this year.”

At the inspection of the on-going 20th Anniversary Hospital, Uyo, Akpabio remarked: “This hospital is going to be a first-class specialist hospital for Nigerians that involves major surgeries that would be undertaken my medical expatriates, which would cut down capital flight of Nigerians traveling abroad for medical treatment.”

The governor said the hospital would curb medical tourism to India by Nigerians, and hoped that the hospital would be handled by medical expatriates to answer the needs of the people.

Akpabio was accompanied by some visiting Nigerian entrepreneurs during the interview session. One of them, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, Chairman of MRS Group, commended governor Akpabio for the capital projects he has executed in the state, saying: “It is one governor and the rest. The projects are beyond imagination. It gives the state a different transformational face. Let other leaders emulate the transformational qualities of governor Akpabio. I want Akwa Ibom people to cooperate with and pray for him.”

Also speaking, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, Group President of Aziekel Group, said that he is proud of the state governor, stating: “Akpabio has redefined government. This is what we hope for Nigeria. What I have seen in Akwa Ibom is marvelous. They are not political projects.”

Azibapu, therefore, called on Nigerians to visit the state to witness the transformation in the state.

On his part, Managing Director of SO&U, advertising and marketing company, Mr. Udeme Ufort, said that the projects in the state have redefined development, redefined the people and redefined confidence in Nigeria. He remarked that what is seen in the state is what is being seen in other parts of the world and stressed that the governor has given to the people of the state more than expected.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Rebdan & Associates, Abuja, Mr. Teddy Nwanne, compared the projects seen in the state to what he saw in South Africa. He stressing that the projects are verifiable and genuine, urging the next state governor to continue with the transformation strides of Governor Akpabio.

•Photo shows Governor Akpabio (second right), accompanied by Alhaji Dantata and other visiting entrepreneurs, inspecting progress of work on the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

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