United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington has congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel on his election for a second term, describing it as an indication that he has met the expectations of his people.
Ambassador Symington stated this during a courtesy call on Governor Udom Emmanuel at the State executive council chambers, Uyo.
He acknowledged the contributions of Governor Emmanuel as evident in the achievements recorded in the through new improved healthcare delivery system, agriculture, industrialization and educational development.
Mr Symington applauded Governor Emmanuel for the high premium placed on healthcare delivery system and his efforts at transforming the secondary Health centers to meet international standards.
He said the visit which is his last as the Ambassador to Nigeria was to intimate the government and people of the state of the United States contributions to stem the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to provide necessary assistance to those who are infected through the provision of drugs, equipment and personnel to help humanity.
“All the amenities, the good roads, the new industries and the schools I have seen, will not be appreciated if the people are not healthy to make use of them.”
He sued for collaboration to stem the tide of the H.I.V/AIDS and other infectious diseases, pledging his government’s readiness to partner the state in Education, Healthcare, Agriculture and Commerce.
Governor Emmanuel expressed his administration’s readiness to partner the United States of America in healthcare and other developments efforts aimed at making life meaningful to humanity.
He said that his administration has invested so much to transform the Healthcare delivery system in the state, adding that no purpose driven government can talk about human capital development without a functional health care system.
Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the US and its development agencies for their vision to partner the state in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, promising to ensure that the state, and neigbouring communities who interface with the state in commercial activities, actively participate in the drive.
“As a border state in the coastal region, there is an influx of people from other states and countries to transact in various opportunities, like fishing and other ventures, so we will partner with the US Government to meet this target you have set.
The State Chief Executive harped on accountability, accuracy and transparency in the records and expenditure of funds allotted for the programme, promising to set an effective machinery to ensure a success of the programme.
Governor Emmanuel urged USAID to collaborate with health personnel in the state and expressed the hope that with the health care facilities on ground, Akwa Ibom best suits the pilot scheme and thanked the United States for the choice of the state for the programme.
Governor Emmanuel expressed dismay at the report that over 30 million dollars had been expended in the fight against the HIV/AIDS programme by recently without any verifiable records, nor input from the relevant agencies in the state.
“I would like to be shown the hospital where such facilities where donated, or the equipment that where procured, because no one has shown me any such intervention”, Mr Emmanuel added.
