Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, wants the United States of America to restructure its approach to funding aide projects and programmes in the country.
Governor Emmanuel said this when the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, paid him a visit in Government House, Uyo, the state capital, stated that state governments should be involved in the execution of the programmes.
When the US Ambassador to Nigeria pointed out the amount her country has spent on aid programmes in the state, Governor Emmanuel expressed mixed feelings as he said the state is completely in the dark about her claims.
The Governor used the opportunity to express displeasure on a travel advisory which raised a red flag on security in the state.
Ambassador Leonard was impressed with the state and assured of judicious allocation of funds to the state for aid.
She applauded the Governor on his efforts which had reduced pandemics in the state and added that she is in the state to explore more avenues for collaboration and business opportunities.
This is her first visit to the state since her appointment on the 24th of December 2019 and she maintained that her visit has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.