Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has cautioned the people of the state against vandalising facilities sited for public use.
The governor gave the warning on Thursday during the commissioning of a 1.3-kilometre underground concrete flood control tunnel, the reconstruction of a section of Atiku Abubakar Way with walkways, drainage, and solar street lights and the reconstruction of 1 kilometre of Afaha Ube road projects in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
He challenged the youths to own the projects by ensuring that facilities within their domain are fully protected, adding that the money used in constructing those facilities belongs to them.
According to him: “We cannot be destroying facilities that government spends so much money to fix. It is not my money; it is your money. It is our collective money. So if you see someone destroying government property, know that it is part of your money being destroyed. You can step forward and caution the person.”
Governor Eno, who described the Atiku Abubakar Road and drainage interventions as a product of faith and circumstance, remarked that the project was one of the interventions of his administration in response to the citizens’ outcry.
Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan, while commissioning the flood control project, lauded Governor Eno for his proactiveness in view of a recent flood alert by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
He urged Akwa Ibom people to be vigilant against antisocial elements and vandalisation of public infrastructure.
Presenting an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, said the project, which was awarded in August 2023, has been completed to specifications, with the guarantee of de-flooding the entire stretch of Atiku Abubakar Way and its environs as well as restoring life to the city area.