Our reporters
Akwa Ibom, an oil-rich Nigerian state, is seen as a cesspool by some administrations to undertake surrogate projects that guzzle public funds running into billions for their private use, Straightnews has gathered.
From 1999 till date, some administrations have ‘dumped’ the state patrimony in an endless pit on the excuse that they are embarking on people-oriented projects, which underway are left to rot away or money frittered away.
So far, some projects, directly or indirectly, executed or about to be executed, are abandoned, thus diverting the public funds to leaking pockets of cronies at the dire expense of a larger majority.
Here is the roll call of a few projects that some administrations have turned to cash cow.
MRO, the money guzzler
Initially, the introduction of a US-based Dyncorp Company as the main contractor together with other subsidiaries to build Akwa Ibom airport was a good idea, but it turned to a big financial sham.
The company apart from ‘swallowing’ more than N30 billion later ‘disappeared’ into thin air without scratching the earth. No successive administration has ever summoned up courage to beam binoculars on the ‘fly away’ company, Straightnews gathered from government circle.
The inclusion of Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facility in the airport, which is usually used as decoy to boost the state revenue, appears as a conduit to putting the state funds on a kiln to dry.
Enter another administration from 2007 to 2015. From the grapevine, the administration spent about N10 billion to build the ‘abandoned’ airport, thus landing an inaugural flight.
Though basic infrastructures were erected at the airport site housed by Okopedi in Okobo and Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, the administration could not complete the MRO hangar before it finally bowed out.
Despite the billions pumped in and assurances given, the sub-project could not be completed. It was bequeathed to another that cunningly adopted ‘‘Surpassing Superlative Performance’’ as its mantra to delude many.
Enter another administration from 2015 to 2023. The administration spent and spent and spent with ‘No money’ as signature tune. From Surpassing Superlative performance to Completion Agenda, the administration struggled and the project that might have consumed more than N10 billion lingered.
In the 2019, the governor torch lighted the budget thus, ‘‘To pursue increased foreign exchange revenue from airplane maintenance and other aviation services by completing the Cargo and MRO facility of Ibom International Airport.’’
And on May 23, 2023, the governor invited the former Senate President Bukola Saraki who inaugurated the MRO facility and a new international smart terminal Building at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
At the end of the day, Saraki left and the project started gnawing at the faces of Akwa Ibom people that it was not totally completed.
Enter a new administration in the state on May 29, 2023. Perhaps, oblivious of the inauguration of the project, the administration made a pledge to continue with the project until it is completed.
Hear Governor Eno’s assurance on November 10, 2023: ‘‘The multi-billion naira Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility at the Ibom Airport in Akwa Ibom State will be ready very soon.’’
Eno also gave an indication that the smart terminal building at the airport, though it was given “a soft opening of the facility upon completion of the major construction works,” it has become “expedient for the two arms of government to have a firsthand assessment to ascertain the finishing touches requirements to allow its full activation.”
Speaking during the recent inspection of the projects in Uyo, the governor noted that though the “MRO has been on course since 2002,” he reaffirmed the resolve of his administration to ensure that it begins operation in full capacity to give the state the full gain it was intended.
“We knew there are some projects that we must fine-tune for Akwa Ibom people to derive the full benefits. It’s a relay race. People run and give you the baton to run the finishing line.
“I am believing and hoping that our team here will be the one to get to the finishing line and be part of the history that has already been made,” he stated.
Ibom Air carrier
The Ibom Air that launched its maiden flight on June 7, 2019 was born with suspicion and bred with translucence. Allegations of no budgetary provisions for the take-off of the airline were rife. Yet, the superintending governor claimed that the state government owned the carrier.
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Emmanuel led a delegation from Ibom Air to the Dubai Air show where he met and reached a firm agreement with Airbus for the procurement of 10 new A220-300 series airplanes.
He remarked “Earlier in the year, we gathered to welcome the first Airbus into our fleet. And I must say that we are proud to be the first airline to order the all-new Airbus A220 in Nigeria. The A220 will allow us to increase the number of passengers into Akwa Ibom, thus bringing more first-time visitors and business travellers to the state.
“These efforts reflect our commitment to enabling local commerce and industry, in line with the state’s economic growth strategy. With this latest acquisition, Ibom Air is better positioned to contribute to driving long term economic growth for Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
However, the 2023 Akwa Ibom All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Akan Udofia disputed and he and the state government were locked in controversy over the Ibom Air ownership.
Udofia in a viral video claimed that “I brought Air Traffic Control to this state. It is public notice to every one of you. The idea of Ibom Air was from me.”
But, Akwa Ibom government swiftly dispelled the statement that Udofia has no stake in the Ibom Airline.
Reacting for government, Uko Essien Udom, the Akwa Ibom Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice on November 12, 2022 noted ‘‘It is necessary to notify the general public and Akwa Ibom state citizens in particular that Mr Akan Udofia has no proprietary interest whatsoever in any of the aircrafts in the fleet of Ibom Air. All the aircrafts in the fleet were acquired directly by the airline.
‘‘The idea of Ibom Air was conceived and executed by His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel who worked with aviation consultants led by Captain Mfon Udom to birth and sustain the operations of the airline to this day. The Airline is owned 100% by Akwa Ibom State.’’
To confuse the matter, on Friday, November 24, 2023 in Montreal, Canada, Mr. Emmanuel together with top management staffers of Ibom Air inspected and took delivery of the first 10 brand new Airbus A220-300 series airplanes, earlier signed during his tenure in 2021.
The Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, Benoit Schultz; Vice President, Daniel Wenninger; Head Of Airbus A220 Delivery Center, Marc Arpin and Cyrille Picard, Sales Director Middle-East and Africa made the presentation of the new Airbus aircraft.
Leading top management officers of Ibom Air were the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom and the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. George Uriesi.
Speaking at the occasion, Emmanuel said Ibom Air is the first airline to take delivery of the all-new Airbus A220 in Nigeria.
He said during his time as governor, he had envisaged Ibom Air becoming a dominant player in the aviation sector within the West African and African aviation hub, and commended Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the aviation development project of the state.
Unexpectedly, Governor Eno was neither present nor represented at the ceremony of the airline alleged to be owned by the state government.
As at the time the previous administration exited, no mention on the carrier’s ownership debacle was made. Even the handing over notes were not made public, as the new governor never went public how much the state government pumped in, never did he address its ownership abracadabra and declared profit made by the carrier, among other contending issues.
In his 2024 budget estimate presented to Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday, November 21, Eno affirmed ‘‘Ibom Air continues to growth phenomenally. We are receiving the first of the ten brand new Air buses from first week of December, we have met all obligations in this regard.’’
In fact, Ibom Air is another despicable project whose ownership is shrouded in secrecy. From birth, the governor superintending over its affairs turned the carrier to a translucent but mystery entity in terms of funding and ownership.
Hullabaloo, where are the Industries?
During his second term governorship electioneering campaign, ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio was accused of promising to establish industries in the 31 local government areas in the state. Yet, he did not fulfill the pledge, perhaps he never made any financial commitment in that regard.
No matter the accusation of not erecting any industrial stone, yet he could be blamed for clandestine release of funds, like cat’s dung in the sand, for non-existing industries.
Enter Udom Emmanuel administration aptly touted as ‘‘Mr. Industrialisation.’’ He largely mouthed and stunningly shouted from the roof top that he had ‘germinated’ industrial seed across the state. His disciples drummed the purported ‘‘achievement’’ to every nook and cranny of the town.
For example, during a state radio and television broadcast on September 23, 2022 that marked the 35th Akwa Ibom creation anniversary, he boasted of establishing 25 industries in the state. Many applauded him. On his exit, the industries seemed gone into ‘‘intensive health care unit’’ for oxygen to breathe.
On taking over the reins of government, Umo Eno was expected, as many opened their ears wide, to address some ‘‘sore points’’ in the industries to etch confidence of many as ‘a talk-and-do one.’
This was as the then Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Ita Enang had dismissed the industries saga as a ruse. He also disclaimed that the industries were owned by individuals, not the state government as reportedly portrayed. Enang directed naysayers to Corporate Affairs Commission for authentication of the claims.
Yet, Eno, then a governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, to, perhaps, curry favour declared ‘‘My administration will build an inclusive, diversified and industrialised economy, if voted in the forthcoming governorship election.
At the maiden edition of the Umo Eno Town Hall Series on January 30, 2023, he, at the special interactive session with professional bodies and interest groups in the state, held at the Ibom Icon Hotels, Uyo, said his administration would leverage on available resources in the State to building a robust economy.
Pastor Eno threw more insights into his blueprint for the State, saying that the plans would be made possible by expanding and consolidating on the achievements of past governors, who he noted have moved Akwa Ibom from a purely civil service, to an economically- viable State.
“Udom Emmanuel’s Administration has completely moved our State from a core civil service State to becoming an industrialised State. Udom’s Administration has opened the gateway of industrialization in Akwa Ibom State through land, air, and sea. And in terms of land, we can see roads and all of the constructions.
“Our theme is, ‘Connecting the Dots, Furthering Peace and Prosperity.’ We seek to consolidate on the economic gains of previous administrations. We envision to build a vibrant, inclusive, diversified economy using the abundance of our human and material resources,” he said.
Despite the questionable status of the industries, Governor Eno is hushed on the number of industries established by his predecessor. On November 21, 2023, the Governor, as a policy thrust of his administration, stated, ‘‘To widen the industrial base of the state through rapid industrialization and investment activities by providing enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. This is to enhance the availability of goods and services for domestic use as well as for export.’’
And so, some successive administrations find an easy route to continue with projects of their predecessors as a usual business to tap the state rich financial resources to the detriment of the majority.
