Irish Ambassador commends Gov. Akpabio

Source: pointblanknews.com

The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Fair, has adjudged the Akwa  Ibom State government's policies on free education and road construction as impressive and spectacular.

Speaking today, being the second day of his visit to the State, Mr. Fair, who was accompanied on the visit by his Visa officer, Mr.Paul McHenry, said that having gone through parts of Uyo, the State capital, he was impressed with the e-library and other infrastructure put in place by the State government.

He said that his visit was meant to explore areas of cooperation between the State and his country, and expressed the hope that there would be areas of such partnership between experts from his country and the State.

Governor Godswill Akpabio thanked the Ambassador for visiting his State, and remarked that the visit was indicative of the Irish government's confidence in the State. He told his guests that his government was building a State that would be a destination, not only in the country, but also in the globe.

Chief Akpabio disclosed that moved by his Administration's strong desire to industrialize the State, N20bn has been earmarked in the current budget for partnership with the private sector, with special emphasis on tackling unemployment among youths in the State.

The governor pointed out that the completion of the State International airport, with its run way built to take wide-bodied aircraft, as well as the contraction of a Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facility there, were all geared towards opening the State's economy to the world.

To encourage private participation in the State's economy Gov. Akpabio said that the State government would provide marching grants to investors in the State economy, even as it has applied for an Export Processing Zone in the State to boost its economy.

The governor voiced the optimism that the Irish government and its corporate community would partner with the State government in its industrial drive, especially with particular reference to the deep sea port project just approved for the State by the Federal Government.