The Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, has promised to rehabilitate victims of the violence that ravaged Ukanafun Local Government Area in the last three years when he becomes Governor on May 29, 2019.
Several lives and millions of naira worth of property have been lost in the conflict which paralyzed economic activities in the area and forced residents to flee to neighbouring Abak Local Government Area and the State Capital, Uyo.
Addressing the APC campaign rally at Ikot Akpa Nkuk, the Ukanafun Local Government Headquarters on Friday, Ekere also promised to grant proper amnesty to the repentant militants and not the fake amnesty of the present State Government.
The APC standard bearer stated that he knew what was proper amnesty, having served as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for more than two years.
He proposed a sustainable empowerment programme for the repentant militants and the larger Ukanafun youths to ensure enduring peace in the area.
As the NDDC boss, Ekere said he was able to complete emergency repairs on the failed and unmotorable sections of access road to the NDDC Health Centre at Ikot Ossiom while construction work was ongoing on the Nto Nso II – Umuebueze Road, all in Ukanafun.
He promised a complete turnaround of the infrastructure of Ukanafun, which is one of the eight local government areas designated as Special Development Areas in his manifesto, when he becomes Governor.