ARISE Agenda: Eno says A’bom open to productive partnership

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, has reiterated the state government’s readiness to embrace partnerships that will enable it to fully actualise his administration’s ARISE Agenda.

Eno said this in Uyo on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the French Embassy led by Mr. Florent Mangin, the Head, Regional Economic Department for Nigeria and Ghana.

The governor said the ARISE Agenda was an acronym for Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance, Security Management and Educational Advancement.

He said that the agenda which had 17 thematic areas would continue to progress at a positive developmental trajectory.

“Beyond other areas of interest, the state will appreciate partnerships in the area of agriculture especially in the rural areas.

“We will also appreciate partnership in the area of health and renewable energy,” Eno added.

Eno stated that the state was building primary healthcare centres, and that it had begun a state-wide insurance scheme to ensure a healthy population.

He said that the state government had established the Ibom Model Farm, which was done in partnership with Songhai Farms, Port Novo.

“We also intend to have some farm settlements around the state, we shall appreciate partners for the actualisation of this dream,” he said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mangin, said that the visit was on the invitation of Ibom Air, and was aimed to explore ways of working together.

He said that his country was equally interested in other areas of partnership and funding to strengthen her relationship with Nigeria and Akwa Ibom in particular.