The attainment of 36 years of statehood, in the face of competing interests by some powerful forces, is no mean feat. Age could be a figure, but the gradual realisation of the number to statehood remains an arduous task.
From a conceptual traditional society, Akwa Ibom State, especially Uyo, the state capital, is evolving into a metropolitan status. Like a fulcrum, the cosmopolitan status is hibernating the ruralness of local government areas through concerted and egalitarian efforts in aggregating the dreams of our forebears and galvanizing them into a single purpose of development through the oneness of hearts.
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The hitherto belief that the state creation would affect the homogenous and filial relationship of the people with common ancestry coupled with the archaic reasoning that the state would be economically unviable, has been invalidated by her corporate existence of 36 people-oriented years.
From various administrations to date, the compass is directed at meaningful and holistic development of the state. Of course, this is within the ambit of yearnings and aspirations of the people, both big and small, poor and rich.
The time to roll out the drums had long past. The time for praising is long gone; it is time for all to return to a stable and to re-engineer a new process of ensuring top-to-bottom approach by trickling down development to the villages to reducing the perennial rural-urban drift, as well as the hydra-headed security crises caused by unemployment.
The ‘ARISE Agenda’ blueprint enunciated by the present administration is a good one, but an effective implementation remains the crux of the matter. It seems a calculated paradox of failure that after 36 years the state is still crawling and groping on how to develop Uyo, the State capital without concomitant efforts to change the face of the rural areas.
It will be absurd for the State government to sing the 1987 swansong of infrastructural development when it should go digital in human development.
It is worth noting that any adult like our State that still stays at the drawing board, plans to fail in old age. Let Akwa Ibom at 36 get Google compass to facilitate development from Uyo to the hinterland, and to harness our abundant human and natural resources rather than humming an old engine of a decrepit vehicle.
Better options for palliatives for Akwa Ibom people
Since the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, many Nigerians, indeed Akwa Ibom people, have been confronted with economic hardships occasioned by high transport fares, high cost of rents, school fees in both government and private schools, and other sundry charges in virtually all goods and services.
Though Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Bassey Eno, had despatched 40 bags of rice to each of more than 2,2 72 villages in the state, hunger and diseases continue to persist due to high cost of living.
We commend the Governor for augmenting the Federal Government donation of trucks of rice with the promise of N5 billion cash, which the Governor stated he had got only N2 billion, which he augmented with additional N1billion, to cushion the harsh impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the population.
Despite the gestures, it appears the efforts are like little drops of water in an ocean. Yes, it is true that the bags of rice and money are meant for the poor among the poorest. What are the criteria in determining the poorest in a society where the middle class has vanished?
In a purely consumption economy like ours, who is financially stable to thump his chest of affording a comfortable living? In a largely civil service State like Akwa Ibom, most people are consumed by poverty and lack of any kind. Dearth of social amenities remains an albatross to many- the rich and the poor.
As it is, it is advisable for the government to be proactive in marshalling out and implementing programmes that will positively affect the lives of many since everybody buys from the same market and still faces similar economic difficulties.
In this case, let the state government make public primary and secondary schools more qualitative and functional to enable many parents to send their children and wards to them. We heartily welcome the thoughts of Governor Eno to provide free exercise books, shoes and clothes for pupils to motivate them and to reduce out-of-school menace.
Similarly, government should introduce scholarships for brilliant students of Akwa Ibom origin from first degree to Ph.D, give bursary award to all Akwa Ibom children in tertiary institutions. Sponsor more to ivy schools in the world to read professional and technical courses in their PH.Ds to be able to address manpower needs in some key sectors.
There is need to give grants to small-scale businesses, guard against exorbitant but estimated electricity tariffs, give revenue/tax holiday for businessmen and petty traders, pay unemployment and single parents’ benefits, subsidise bus/health services for pensioners and the elderly, give free medical care to the pregnant, pay living wage and allowances to civil servants, subsidise bus/health insurance policy to the civil servants.
Overall, the government must ensure protection of life and property of its citizens by ensuring guaranteed security.
By so doing, the state will return to the pathway of a small paradise to many especially the residents, visitors and tourists alike.
