Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to take full ownership of government projects in their communities, urging citizens to protect public infrastructure with the same vigilance as personal property.
Akpabio made the appeal during the commissioning of key constituency projects in Ika and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday.
He emphasised that safeguarding public infrastructure is essential to sustaining national development and ensuring further government intervention.
Speaking through a statement issued by his media aide, Jackson Udom, the Senate President lamented the rising cases of vandalism and neglect of government facilities, describing them as setbacks to development efforts.
He said, “My duty as your representative in the Senate is to ensure that I bring the projects you request for, in the overall interest of the people.
“You, as beneficiaries, have a responsibility to protect these projects from being vandalised or destroyed by enemies of progress.”
He stressed the need for collective responsibility, urging communities to see government projects as their own.
He said, “If you say, ‘After all, it is government property, let us vandalise it,’ are we not all the government?
“That means you are destroying your own property and discouraging further development in your community,” he warned.
The Senate President also used the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to grassroots development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted recent initiatives, including the financial empowerment of 1,000 Nigerians per ward across the country, as evidence of the administration’s pro-people policies.
“This current administration of President Bola Tinubu is one with a human face, determined to make life easier for the people, especially the common man,” Akpabio said.
Local leaders, including Mr. Chris Okorie of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), praised the projects and pledged continued support for Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and President Tinubu in future elections.
Projects inaugurated during the visit included an eight-classroom block and ICT centre at St. Augustine Secondary School, Ika; a 12-classroom block at Community Secondary School; and an ultra-modern market in Uruk-Ata 2, Etim Ekpo LGA.
The visit further reinforced the Senate President’s message of community engagement and shared responsibility in national development.
