…says “I’m totally favoured by zoning”
By Ime Silas
In order to tackle insecurity, a front line Chairmanship hopeful in the October 2024 Local Government Election in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Bassey Udoh said he would invest more in the youths if elected as Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
Bassey, a retired Naval Officer who stated this on Thursday during a parley with select media practitioners in Uyo also noted that his plans and programmes for Nsit Ibom people were in synch with the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
The Afaha Nsit-born Chairmanship hopeful, while hinting that he had travelled far and wide, stressed that having experienced other climes abroad, he understood what were lacking in Nigerian communities. He assured that if given the opportunity, he would turn things around for Nsit Ibom people.
He said “One of the key problems I would like to address is insecurity. And I believe that insecurity thrives more in an environment where the youths are jobless. To eradicate insecurity therefore, I will invest more in the youths of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
My belief is that if the youths are engaged in productive ventures, the tendency to commit crimes would be reduced, if not totally eradicated. Therefore, I will empower the youths massively in order to get them off the streets”.
On food security, the Chairmanship aspirant said “Another important aspect I will like to work on is food security. Today, the state and the entire country are grappling with food crisis. So, if elected as Chairman, my administration will embark on massive food production. We will intentionally invest in cassava production and processing. We will invest in livestock and animal husbandry and other aspects of agriculture.
“One other area that requires urgent attention is health care delivery. Having travelled far and wide, I can say that I have tasted the two climes. That is to say, the Nigerian clime and other climes abroad. Therefore, if elected as Chairman, my administration will also focus on providing a better health care for our people.
In a nutshell, we will key into the ARISE Agenda of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno. Having studied keenly the contents of His Excellency’s ARISE Agenda, I can say that my plans and programmes are in harmony with the governor’s agenda. I will collaborate with His Excellency to bring the needed development to Nsit Ibom”.
Responding to questions from journalists on the issues of zoning and preference for women as canvassed by the governor, Bassey Udoh averred:
“I’m not against any woman contesting, provided such women are favoured by zoning. I have deep respect for the women.
On the issue of zoning, I want to say that I’m totally favoured by zoning, which is one of the criteria His Excellency emphasizes on”.
While appealing for the support of delegates of his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Bassey stressed that as an ardent party man who had contributed to political developments, he would abide by, and respect the outcome of his party’s primary.