Opinion: Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, has achieved nothing. He should “dakkada”

by Enenim Ubon

Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, Akwa Ibom state has been among the very few states lucky enough to have governors that can be said to have performed to an above average level. From Architect(Obong) Victor Bassey Attah (1999 – 2007) to Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, these men had visible projects across the state as early as one year in office. Those who lived in Akwa-Ibom before 1999 will acknowledge the effort of Obong Attah in ensuring Uyo was upgraded to the status of a state capital.

The major problem of the Attah administration, was his inability to communicate his vision to his subordinates and ensure they all fall in-line – this was responsible for his inability to complete several landmark projects like the Ibom Science Park. Senator Akpabio, with the many issues and baggages his tenure amassed, was able to define the focus of his administration (infrastructural ‎development) within his first 100 days in office. Not only did his administration come up with the “Akwa Ibom Ado Ok” slogan, he worked towards ensuring Akwa Ibom became ‘Ok’. Was the entire Akwa Ibom ‘okay’ before he left office? No. Did he complete all his projects? No ( the most annoying being the Ibom Tropicana); but at least it was clear for all to see that he had a direction. The major problem Senator Akpabio left for Akwa-Ibomites is introducing them to someone who wasn’t really sure he was ready to roll up his sleeves and work for the Akwa Ibom people (agreed that the choices at the elections were limited, but at least at the primaries other options were available).

Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has been Governor of Akwa Ibom state for about sixteen months, his achievements in office in this period are infinitesimal. Besides bringing in his Lagos crew to shoot videos for his *’Dakkada’ pledge and endless ground breaking ceremonies, there is absolutely nothing on ground to show the Government of Akwa Ibom is ready to achieve anything by 2019. The Udom-led administration is gradually taking away the enviable place of Akwa Ibom among states which are always lucky to have ‘performing’ Governors since 1999. So embarrassing is the state of things in Akwa Ibom that one is tempted to believe the Governor has absolutely no idea of what to do.

‎One of the ‘achievements’ of the Udom administration in 100 days in office is the commissioning of the secretariat annex, that was at 90% completion level even before Obong Attah left office, a project a civil servant (with how rich many in the state have become) can conveniently complete; the story of the hatchery is better left for another day. In line with his tradition of ground breaking ceremonies, he organized a street party at Ikot-Ekan Etinan LGA telling the whole world that peacock paint has been revitalized. Over six months after, the paint has not been sighted in any market anywhere in the world. Over seven months after performing a ground breaking ceremony for Shoprite at the Tropicana, not a single block has been laid (why a government’s priority should be giving free space to a private entreprise to come to a state and put other entrepreneurs out of business, only the Government can explain). All the industries for which ground breaking ceremonies have been done by Udom, work is yet to begin. Even the erosion control site in ITU LGA has been abandoned since after the Governor’s visit. Almost a year after the Government sent youths to learn mechanized farming in Israel, nothing again has been heard of the scheme – was it a flash in the pan? Only the Governor and his numerous idle, incompetent and confused media aides can answer that.

The Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme(AKEES) has been a huge disappointment, suffice to say; it has been of no use to those we were told will be its target beneficiaries. The Udom Government claims to have trained over 300 youths in film production, it will help the credibility of the government to release the identities of those so trained. The upsurge of criminal activities in the state is appalling. Uyo has moved from a city where one could confidently walk around by 1 am, to one where people are kidnapped when they board keke, taken to unknown destinations and robbed. So bad is the situation that some victims are even taken from these hideouts to ATMs within the city to make withdrawals. In the midst of all these, whoever advised the governor to sack over 3000 teachers recruited while he was SSG under the flimsy excuse that unqualified people got the job, is his enemy; maybe the Governor and his team have never ‎of the terms verification nor revalidation.

As the Governor makes plans to reconstitute his cabinet, he should make sure he brings on board people who are ready to work and motivate him to deliver on his campaign promises. He should urge his ‘powerful’ commissioner of works (who is still working in same capacity from home) to not only flaunt his closeness to the governor by trying to intimidate other cabinet members ‎and government functionaries but also sit up and deliver the goods.

In 2019, being a ‘technocrat’ will not be enough to win an election. With what INEC under the change Government has become, it is only an individual whose work will speak for him that the Akwa Ibom people can vote for and defend their mandate. ‎Neither Lagos, Abuja nor London fronts will be enough to save anybody. With 2 years and 6 months left, it is not too late for Governor Udom Emmanuel to *dakkada and do the needful.

*dakkada means stand up


Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Enenim Ubon tweets from @EnenimUbon

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail