Extreme poverty has many causes - adverse geography, poor and corrupt governance, conflicts and its aftermath, the lack of basic infrastructure and human capital, public administration, devastation by diseases and environmental degradation and limited natural resources. These causes have received global attention and prescription as in the MDGs, the seven point agenda, vision 2020-20 of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the pragmatic goals set by the Akpabio led administration in Akwa Ibom State to reduce poverty by 2015.
Uruan Local Government Area like many LGAs in Nigeria is caught up in the web of this devastaion gripe of poverty. As i aspire to take over the leadership of Uruan LGA in 2011, I am challenged to effect the changes recommended at the New York Summit and align it with the developmental aspirations of the people of Uruan. The Millenium Development Goals of the United Nations has set forth an 8 point agenda which are equally captured in the seven point agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria - whose priority policies are hinged on the following:
- Sustainable growth in the Real Sector of the Economy
- Physical Infrastructure: Power, Energy and Transportation
- Agriculture
- Human Capital Development
- Security, Law and Order
- Combating Corruption and
- Niger Delta Development
To achieve the goals set in the MDGs, the seven point agenda, vision 2020-20 of the Federal Government and that of the Akwa Ibom State in line with the aspirations of the people of uruan, I shall adopt the underlisted values and strategies in piloting the ship of governance:
- Peace and security
- Development and poverty eradication
- Protecting our common environment
- Human rights, democracy and good government
- Protecting the vulnerable
- Meet the special needs if the people of Uruan
- Strengthening our relationship with the other LGAs, the State and indeed Nigeria.
It could not be over emphasized at this point that to achieve the above set goals will require the cooperation of the people of Uruan both young and old, men and women at home at home and in diaspora. I therefore wish to extend an invitation to all and sundry to join me in the building of a new and virile Uruan.
