Yesterday, I dedicated my 1800
hour to His Excellency the governor of Akwa Ibom State as he indulged us with
his 6 months report and here is a rundown of what he shared in case you missed
the session :
His Excellency began by thanking
the good people of Akwa Ibom State for the trust bestowed on him to serve as
Governor of the state stating that he is humbled by the task at hand but mindful
of the sacrifices borne by the founding fathers of the great State. As a
realistic leader he made good to remind the people of the ongoing litigation on
the eligibility of his election but assured the people that it was a Pharaoh
they will not see again while he also confirmed that the litigation was a
challenge and not a clog on the wheels of performance drawing allusions from
the biblical account of how the House of
David grew stronger, while the House of Saul grew weaker after God ordained
David King over Israel even with Saul rising against him.
To this end he affirmed that light
will always win; in which case, Divine Mandate will always triumph and Akwa
Ibom people will always win at the chagrin of those who collaborate with
outsiders to covet the state’s resources. In his words “Akwa Ibomites know
which side their bread is buttered. We are not afraid of any re-run, because
our people are solidly behind us.”
His Excellency
also revealed that no iota of grudge is brewed against those challenging his
mandate in court stating that it is within their rights to do so. “As a matter
of fact…” the governor explained, “…we are both chasing dreams. The difference
is that they are chasing their own selfish dreams; while we are chasing the
dreams of Akwa Ibom people and our posterity. When the judicial process is over
and our victory again, re-affirmed, we expect our brothers and sisters to bury
the hatchet and come and join us to build a greater Akwa Ibom State. We must
know that we do not have to see eye to eye in order to walk hand in hand. We
are brothers and blood should be thicker than politics. Relationships built
over decades should not be sacrificed over the fleeting impulse of partisan
politics. Political foes of yesterday may become political allies tomorrow”
Having exulted
the people in few words on the political tempo in the state the Dakkada General
abandoned politics for welfare of the State by first charging the youths to
unite and rise to the faith of greatness. “Think of Ufot Ekong! He solved a
30-year old mathematics puzzle and wrote his name in Fame. The same DNA, which
Ufot has, is in you. We are a brilliant people, and I am proud of each and
every one of us. We only need the opportunity to unleash our great potentials.
I promise you this is what I have come to offer. What Ufot has done, you can
do. Rise to the faith of greatness. ‘Dakkada’.” His excellency charged. This
incidentally drafted his attention albeit briefly to the sad commentary on Akwa
Ibom State politics where people who were a part of the preceding
administration for seven of its eight years would now turn around and demonize
the administration claiming that the administration was wasteful,
irresponsible, corrupt etc. To him it does sound like one cutting his nose in
order to spite his face; meaning, it is practically impossible to absolve these
elements of hypocrisy without convicting them of self-indictment. It is like
trying to always fool the whole of the good and wise people of Akwa Ibom State
all at once! “When they lie to you, ask them the source of their wealth, and
what investment they made to become wealthy and super-rich.” He advised.
Nevertheless,
the Governor in stating the performance of his administration thus far
explained that industrialization is a process and not an event - that while his
administration is committed to industrialization and infrastructural
development sparing no effort to ensure the effective and lawful execution of
this drive he is also solicitously expecting that the people of Akwa Ibom State
rise up (Dakkada) and support the administration.
Now, regarding
the achievements so far he stated that there has been several ground breakings
for new industries and resuscitation of ailing and moribund ones ranging from LED
factory to automobile, and fertilizer plant to Peacock Paints that has come
alive again and others.
He mentioned
how he was touched by a letter signed by Chief Effiong Edak Ekong - the Chairman
of Okobo Electricity Maintenance Committee, thanking him for “restoring power
supply in Okobo after many years of blackout, which had caused socio-economic
hardship and under-development.” This was just an example of the intervention
that has brought regular electricity to many Local Government Areas in the
state.
His
Excellency went ahead to state that his administration is providing clean water
in their efforts to stem the spread of water borne diseases. On health, he
cited St Luke’s Hospital, Anua, and Ibom Specialist Hospital as examples of the
revamping going on in the health sector.
On road
construction he revealed that Akwa Ibom State is now a giant work site going by
the numerous road construction projects across the state for example
·
In Uyo, the
construction of Uyo underground outfall drainage from Nsikak Eduok Avenue
through Akwa Efak to the Tropicana is at advance stage.
·
Construction
of 1.2km Underground Drainage in Uyo is also running,
·
The
dualization of Uyo-Etinan road with a flyover and water fountain at Etinan
roundabout is on,
·
The
dualization of the 23.8km Uyo-Oron road Airport road-Okpedi-Oron Road by East
West Road with 60m span bridge in Odobo are set to commence.
·
A 3.5 km
Ikot Udom road with a 15m span bridge in Ibiono Ibom local government Area is
on course and the contractors are making good progress with site clearance and
excavation works is at 75%, while pilling and construction of bridges are
ongoing.
·
Major
progress has also been made with the emergency works on roads in Oron with the
contractor set to deliver the project within the specified time frame,
·
The same can
be said of the ongoing construction of the Nto Edino-Ekwere Azu Road with 2
bridges, measuring about 45 meters in Obot Akara.
·
The
dualization of 23.4km Eket-Etinan Road with 3 bridges is on-going, while the
construction of bridges on the road have commenced in earnest.
·
Eket- Ibeno
Road dualization, spanning 19.5 km with 4 bridges is at 53% state of completion,
and the work is progressing,
·
The
construction/re-modeling of selected roads in Eket, which would include
strategic roundabouts and junctions in Eket metropolis are also on course.
·
In Mkpat
Enin Local Government Area the construction of 5km Ikot Usop – Ikot Edeghe –
Ikot Ekpuk Road with 30m Span Bridge is up and running,
·
While in Onna Local Government Area the
construction of 5km Mkpok-Okat Road is also running according to schedule.
All these to
mention a few according to our Lord of Dakkada will be completed in record
time.
But as if to
silent those who cynically challenged the report on his 100 days in office
Deacon also presented other areas of achievements like:
·
The over 50
foreign investors have indicated interest in coming to setup shops in Akwa Ibom
State;
·
The
emergency Intervention on Gully Erosion at Enen Atai along Calabar – Itu
Highway;
·
Emergency
Intervention on Gully Erosion at Independence Hall area in Abak;
·
Payment of
ten years arrears of pensions and gratuities to primary school teachers and
local government employees;
·
Resumption
of work on Ikot Ekara-Ikot Ebritam Road;
·
Electric
Meter manufacturing Plant underway in ONNA;
·
Clay
Processing Plant underway in ONNA;
·
Establishment
of Sports Academies in the 10 Federal Constituencies;
·
1000 Youths
for Oracle Certification Program;
·
Power Sector
training for youths;
·
Special
Agricultural Training for 100 youths in Israel;
·
Approval for
the training of 329 youths in photography and film production
Mr. Udom
Emmanuel noted that from the outset, his
administration inaugurated Technical
Committees to help drive the developmental efforts whom have hitherto lived up
to their billings by amongst other strides attracting high investments to the
State, helped evolve a second planting season and are developing coconut plantations that will
thereafter process coconut into over 360 uses scientifically.
And the big
one - The actual commencement the Ibom Deep Seaport, he assured, is gathering
momentum.
In rounding
off, the governor admonished the good people of the state to shun rancor,
tribal sentiments and political hostility and live in the principle of ‘dakkada’
as one people with a collective destiny of greatness building a great state for
today, tomorrow and next tomorrows
And to supervise these His
Excellency concluded thus : “Therefore, I, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, your duly elected
Governor, the keeper of the Divine Mandate, pledge and guarantee you that I
will continue to work hard to improve your living condition. So help me God.
God bless Akwa Ibom State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”
And having listened to His
‘Dakkada’ Excellency only one question comes to mind: if a total rerun is
ordered in the end and all these projects are duly completed who will the good
and wise people of Akwa Ibom State like my, humble, self vote?
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