Akpabio Urges Nigerians To Safeguard Government Projects In Their Communities

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerians to take responsibility for maintaining and protecting government facilities sited within their communities.

Akpabio made the appeal on Tuesday during the commissioning of projects in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, the Senate President stressed that while it is his duty as a lawmaker to attract development projects, communities must in turn protect them from vandalism and misuse.

“My duty as your representative in the Senate is to ensure I facilitate the projects you demand for the overall good of the people. As beneficiaries, you have a duty to safeguard them so they are not destroyed by enemies of progress. Communities must take ownership of these facilities—this is the only way to encourage government at all levels to do more,” Akpabio said.

Warning against a careless attitude towards public infrastructure, he added: “If you say, ‘after all, it’s government property, let us vandalize it,’ are we not all government? In reality, you are destroying your own property and, in the process, discouraging further development in your community.”

Akpabio further assured his constituents of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration to deliver tangible dividends of democracy nationwide.

“This government is people-focused and determined to ease the burdens of ordinary Nigerians. Recently, the President approved the empowerment of 1,000 citizens from every ward across the country to strengthen local economies,” he noted.

In his welcome address, community leader and NCC Board Member, Chris Okorie, pledged continued support for President Tinubu, Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.

The Senate President commissioned several projects during the visit, including an eight-classroom block and an ICT centre at St Augustine Secondary School, Ika Local Government; a 12-classroom block at Community Secondary School; and a modern market in Uruk-Ata 2, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.