Aniefiok Christopher
Moribund Ibom Science Park and Ibaka Deep Seaport would top the revival agenda of Michael Bush, if elected as Akwa Ibom Governor during the 2027 general election.
Already, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has ruled out investing in Ibom Science Park initiated by ex-Governor Victor Attah years ago, but indicated intention to establish Youth Development Centres in the 31 local government areas of the state.
Again, the name change of Ibaka Deep Seaport to Ibom Deep Seaport by the state government has generated furore among some groups and individuals in the state.
Addressing World Press Conference in Uyo, Bush, who is Akwa Ibom Labour Party 2027 Governorship standard bearer, noted that these projects are well-intentioned by the initiator that the name change should not be used as an excuse to abandon on the altar of politicking.
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Rolling out his 8-point agenda, the Labour Governorship candidate explained that the acronym ‘‘A is for Advancement (In God’s Name, bring back our Science Park): We reject the suggestion that science park now belongs in our phones or youth centres. What an embarrassment! If we are serious about Akwa Ibom beyond monthly allocations from the federal government, the Science Park is the way to go. Akwa Ibom has all it needs to explode in ICT!’’
On manpower development, Bush asserted that ‘‘Ibaka Deep Seaport should be run by mainly Akwaibomights. Ibom Air should not see our people as unemployable. The way is to ensure that we do not keep shouting unemployment in the midst of so many opportunities is by trainings.”
He pledged his administration readiness to guarantee 100% implementation of local government autonomy, judicial autonomy and legislative autonomy in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, if elected.
According to him, ‘‘Local governments must become genuine centres of grassroots development rather than administrative extensions of the state government. Elected local government officials shall have the freedom and resources to discharge their constitutional responsibilities. The judiciary must be financially independent to dispense justice without interference, intimidation or political influence.’’
Commenting on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the governorship candidate vowed to grant independence to the Hallowed Chamber to perform its legislative, oversight and representative functions.
‘‘Our position is that democracy becomes meaningful only when its institutions are allowed to function independently. The assembly complex renovation which has been going on forever shall stand finished and put to use within our first 100 days. I shall never play politics with governance.’’
On full implementation of procurement laws, he assured that ‘‘Our government shall ensure the full application of public procurement laws in the award and execution of government contracts. Public contracts will no longer be treated as political rewards or instruments for enriching a select groups.
‘‘Every procurement process shall be transparent, competitive, accountable and guided by established laws. Contractors shall demonstrate capacity to execute projects before receiving government contracts and they shall never be owed unreasonably. We shall insist on value for money, quality materials, appropriate project costs and timely delivery.’’
He argued that the responsibility of governing a Grade A state like Akwa Ibom is not child’s play, calling for ‘‘Forget that pretenders to the throne always mess things up, the office of Governor is one of high honour. Governorship is not a licence for an arrogant, hater or careless talker or unrepentant oppressor to fly off the handle at every turn.’’
‘‘The Governor is the number one receptionist of the state: receiving, connecting, blessing, promoting and protecting all and sundry; big or small, educated or illiterate, rich or poor. This is the governor that Akwa Ibom needs as our state navigates into its 40th year next September 23,’’ he pointed out.
He used the occasion to announced the establishment of estate for journalists in the state to ease accommodation problem confronting most of them in the performance of their duties.
