Akwa Ibom State government has approved contract for the electrification of all the villages in Ika Local Government Area. Gov. Godswill Akpabio dropped the hint at St. Bernard’s Quasi Parish, Ikot Udom in Ika Local Government Area during the funeral service of late Ubom Dennis Udoakpan, father-in-law of the member for Abak Federal Constituency, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo last week. Chief Akpabio stated that total electrification of villages in Ika, expected to commence soon would serve as an experiment on his administration to link all villages in Akwa Ibom to the national grid.

Chief Akpabio also stated that apart from the electrification project, roads were reconstructed in memory of late Chief Udoakpan through a committee which would inspect and assess the environment. He mentioned that by next year, a proper assessment of his efforts in development would be un-veiled in a book written by him, explaining that Ika has not been forgotten since the inception of the administration.

Chief Akpabio assured that a collaboration effort would be adopted to address problems of kidnapping facing the area, appealing to antagonist groups to allow peace to reign to enhance development. The governor pointed out that not less than 162 suspected kidnappers were in the police net maintaining that efforts of perpetrators and sponsors of crime in the state either from within or outside would be in vain.

Chief Akpabio urged Ika people to emulate late Chief Udoakpan in zeal and integrity, describing the deceased as one of the greatest supporters of his administration and his exit as painful. Son-in-law of the deceased, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, thanked the governor for the condolence visit, stating that Chief Udoakpan had no dull moment from his youthful days to adulthood.

Obongemem Ekpo also stated that Chief Udoakpan lived an exemplary life and was an icon in advising those striving to attain greatness. A biography of the deceased indicated that the late Chief Udoakpan was a co-founder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ika and served as a state caucus member until his death.