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Duke tackles presidency over fuel importation
TOM MOSES, Calabar
GOVERNOR
Donald Duke of Cross River State has lashed out at the presidency for not
addressing the problem of the country’s refineries but rather relying on the
alleged exploitative importation of fuel.
Duke, who bared his mind during this
month’s media parley held at the Governor’s Office, Calabar, decried the
attendant embarrassing hike in prices of petroleum products and labour unrests.
He advised the presidency to do something
to urgently activate the country’s refineries.
"As long as we import fuel as a nation, we
will be subjected to fluctuations in the prices of petroleum products.
"However, I think the president is only
trying to react to the realities of the time as it concerns the prices of oil in
the world market to increase prices of petroleum products. But I will not
absolve the presidency of the blame because four years are enough time for
something to be done about our refineries," he stated.
According to Governor Duke, the solution
to the incessant hike in pump prices of petroleum products and the perennial
shortage of the products in the country was for the federal government to
refurbish the nation’s refineries.
He stated that his happiest moments are
encapsulated in accomplishments and fulfilling the desires of people hence, his
relentless efforts to transform the state.
The governor cited instances where the
hopes of the Ukelle people of Yala local government and Etung local government
areas, respectively were restored by his administration.
The Ukelle people are said to have been
isolated from other communities in the state and beyond, because the bridge
which linked them to Benue State, was blown off during the civil war just as the
54 - kilometre road to the next local government area, Ogoja, had since become a
cul de sac because of erosion menace and long years of neglect by
successive governments.
But the Duke’s administration has gone to
construct a bridge for the Ukelle people as well as provide road and
electricity, he said.
For Etung local government area, he added,
had never had a vehicle tourching its soil because of its difficult terrain
until this year when the governor awarded contract for the construction of a
road and four bridges to connect the people with the outside world and also
provide them electricity.
My happiest moments are those times when you go to places,
you find out that you have done something positive to develop the people.
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