By Uwem Uko
The Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Akwa Ibom State c
Chapter, has expressed concern over what it described as post-election neglect by the state government, despite its active role in mobilising support for the emergence of Governor Umo Eno.
Speaking in Uyo, the State Chairman of NATA, Comrade Charlie Francis Eka, said the association worked tirelessly during the last governorship election, mobilising its members across the 31 local government areas of the state to support Governor Eno.
He recalled that the Governor personally visited the mechanic village during the campaign period and made commitments to support and empower the body if elected.
According to Eka, those promises are yet to be fulfilled, noting that the association has not received any form of government attention since the election.
“Other groups in the state have been remembered and empowered by the Governor, but our sector has been abandoned,” he lamented.
The NATA Chairman decried the absence of training programmes, financial support and technical empowerment for automobile technicians in the state, stressing that such interventions were part of the assurances given during the campaign.
He added that the lack of support has continued to affect the productivity and welfare of members.
Eka explained that NATA is a well-organised professional body with over 5,000 registered members operating across Akwa Ibom State, contributing significantly to the state’s economy through skills, services and job creation.
He emphasized that the association has always supported governments at all levels, regardless of political affiliations.
Despite his concerns, the NATA Chairman commended Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, describing it as impactful and beneficial to many citizens of the state.
He said the association aligns with the vision of inclusive growth and development championed by the present administration.
Comrade Eka also appealed the Governor for the relocation of the mechanic village abak road, which has been delapidated for years now to it’s permeney site.
Reaffirming the association’s loyalty, Eka stated that members of NATA are law-abiding citizens and pledged their continued support for Governor Umo Eno’s administration beyond 2027, expressing hope that the government would soon respond to their concerns and integrate the automobile technicians more fully into its development programmes.
