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All Is Well In Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District
Aniekeme Finbarr
One of the striking and ken speckle features of the Udom Emmanuel led administration in Akwa Ibom State is the uncanny disposition to even distribution of projects in the state. Every senatorial district, federal constituency, local government, ward and family has a testimony or two to attest to in this era of superior performance. Since 2015, life-touching projects in the state have been clearly and equitably prioritized irrespective of geographical slants, ethnic zones or tribal algebra.
Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District like her two other sister districts have richly benefitted from the midas touch of the economic csar at the helm of affairs in the state. Navigating through a turbulent national economic climate and depressing economic recession with tangible results is indeed no mean feat, even for the most intelligent leader. There have indeed been eye-catching fruits of good governance for the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
In infrastructure, Governor Emmanuel has impacted very positively in the geopolitical axis. The 6.41km Nto Edino Ekwereazu road with two 45 metres span bridges had since been commissioned. The project had looked like an impossibility given its swampy terrain and impenetrable topography. Today, indigenous contractor, Seyang Limited, led by son of the soil Engr Samuel Inyang has made the success story, a matter of history. The 4.6km College of Arts and Science road, Nung Ukim in Ikono LGA has also been completed. Handled by Hensek Integrated Services, the road is tastily finished with side and outfall drains.
That’s not all, work has advanced greatly on the 14.1km Odoro Ikpe-Ikpe Ikot Nkon-Obotme-Arochukwu road with 110km bridge in Ini LGA. The project is executed through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA) and indeed Peculiar Concerns limited is doing a great job. Work is also ongoing on the 23.25km Ikot Ekaide-Ikot Okoro-Ikot Ibritam road in Oruk Anam LGA under APFA plus the 18.95km Ikot Ibritam-Ekeffe-Ikot Akpan Afaha road with a bridge also in Oruk Anam and Ukanafun LGAs. To consolidate road infrastructure in the axis, Governor Udom Emmanuel is also constructing the Abak-Nsekhe-Ikot AkpaNkuk-Ikot Etim-Ikot Ikara(Phase 3, Section A), ie Ikot Ikara to Ikot Ibritam.
5.1 km length of internal roads are wearing a new look at the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa, handled by JP Sigma, not forgetting the 4.95km Ibesit Okpokoro/Ikot Ibritam roads. Governor Udom Emmanuel is currently dualizing 25 kilometres of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road handled by Julius Berger. After several months of contending with court cases and issues arising from payment of compensation, the project is alive and advancing in speed. The total length of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road is 50kms and crosses Uyo, Itu, Ibiono, Ikono, Essien Udim, and Ikot Ekpene LGAs.
To ensure the economic viability of the district, Governor Udom Emmanuel is committing billions of naira into the 14th storey Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, located in the raffia city of Ikot Ekpene. The facility, which has a total of 146 guest rooms, banquet halls, meeting rooms, spa, indoor and outdoor restaurants, swimming pool, tennis courts, club lounges, roof terraces, fitness centres,etc will strenghten the hospitality sector in Akwa Ibom State.
On May 23,2017, Model Girls Secondary School, Ikot Ekan, Abak was added to the number of schools in Akwa Ibom State. His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel commissioned the school, and gave assurance that, the school will commence admissions for full academic operations with boarding facilities. The school had since commenced in September 2017. Governor Emmanuel’s burning passion for education and bequeathing quality learning in the sector, inspired him to pick up the school, which was hitherto overtaken by weeds and reptiles to complete, after the natives of Ikot Ekang, drew government’s attention to the project. Currently, the school has administrative blocks, first class boarding facilities, including 240 beds, a dining hall with 400 chairs and ten class rooms.
Government’s intervention in the education sector has also extended to the tertiary institutions. At the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa campus of the University, six major projects have been commissioned by the governor. They include a digital language library, a commercial farm palm oil mill, a commercial farm feeds mill, vegetable screen house, ultra-modern Mass Communication studios and a standard performance arts theatre.
Schools in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district are part of the 1401 public primary, secondary and technical schools and four tertiary institutions in the state receiving great attention. In addition to setting up ICT laboratories in some of the public and private schools in the state, Governor Emmanuel has not wavered in funding the free and compulsory education programme, which gives every child of school age resident in Akwa Ibom, regardless of state of origin, access to qualitative education from primary to senior secondary school level.
Final year secondary school students in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District are not constrained by lack of money as the government undertakes payment of WASSCE fees for all students in public secondary schools. This also includes payment of NABTEB fees for all students running into hundreds of millions of Naira.
Healthcare delivery in the North West zone of the state is smooth. The General Hospital in Ikono today wears a new look as Governor Udom Emmanuel continues to revolutionize primary and secondary health care facilities in the state.
Agriculture in the zone is receiving a firm attention with increased investment in the cultivation of cocoa and the rice fields in Ini LGA. Farmers in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial zone would not count fertilizer as one of their problems from May this year, as the State’s automated fertilizer blending plant will come on stream. The fertilizer plant is sited in Abak Local Government Area after a formidable team of extension workers was formed to get feedback on challenges and needs of farmers through their various zones and cells.
Power in Akwa Ibom State has tremendously improved with the increased generation of power by Ibom Power Company and the building of injector sub-stations across the state. Ikot Ekpene Senatorial zone will also get theirs as construction and installation is ongoing to boost agriculture and small scale industries.
Through the pet project of Her Excellency, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, lives are being touched, innumerable to count. One unique example is that of Mr Uwem Nnah of Ikot Udoe in Ikot Ekpene LGA, a widower with five children. Nnah’s story is heart rending as he was subjected to all forms of abuse and dejections coupled with the harsh economic climate. Today, he is a proud owner of a well-furnished two bedroom bungalow. Mrs Glory Obot of Obot Akara, Mrs Inemesit Emmanuel Charles of Oruk Anam and several others have been blessed with new and well-furnished homes. This does not exclude free medical outreach in the three senatorial districts of the state, interest free loans, business support grants to market men and women, empowering the girl child for self-reliance and change
Space would not allow to enumerate what Governor Udom Emmanuel and wife are doing for the women, the homeless, weak and vulnerable. But, it is trite that the state government runs eight homes with over 700 children in its care.
Even in politics, Governor Udom Emmanuel has found in sons and daughters of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district the capacity and trust to work with in the journey to growth and development. This is in line with his political inclusion agenda and a means to reach out to the citizens, empower and touch lives. Notably are the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, MFR, Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren, Barr Uwemedimo Nwoko, Attorney-General/Commissioner Ministry of Justice, Professor Victor Inoka , Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Prof Nse Udo Essien on. Commissioner, Ministry of Science & Technology, Dr Glory Emmanuel Edet, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mr Monday Ebong Uko, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Youths & Sports, Mr Ibanga Akpabio, Ministry of Labour, Productivity and Manpower Planning, Mrs Ekemini David Umoh, Special Adviser, Bureau of Rural Development & Cooperative. There are several others on different boards and commissions, agencies, technical committees, departments and units, all serving as aides and interpreting the superior performance agenda. For his special love for the people of the zone, he stood with the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem and ensured that he got elected at the just concluded National Convention of the party.
There are obviously expectations but the passion on the part of leadership is right. Governor Udom Emmanuel has displayed sufficient honesty and commitment to deliver good governance, even in the face of dwindling resources and increasing demands. Like the songwriter, the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have declared faith in the capacity and savvy of Mr Udom Emmanuel, their son and in-law to get the job done and move the zone further. They have said it is well. Once the passion is Right, nothing is impossible!
Finbarr is S.A on media to Governor Udom Emmanuel
This article which is unedited does not reflect or represent the view or stand of StraightNews.
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Re: All is well in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District
By Anietie Ekong
Reading through the article by Aniekeme Finbarr, a Personal Assistant on Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, one is left wondering whether he means well for the Governor or is an agent provocateur on a mission to destroy the good relationship presently existing between the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Looking at it on its face value and for whatever it is worth what Mr Finbarr sought to do is to reply Senator Akpabio that contrary to what the Senator had said, indeed the concerns by the elders, youths, women, leadership and the entire people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District is misplaced. It’s like telling Senator Akpabio, “shut up sir.”
According to media report, Senator Akpabio is quoted to have said “2018 is less than one year to election, all is not well, don’t allow anybody to deceive you that all is well.” By countering with this infamous write up that all is well, Mr Finbarr is directly responding to Senator Akpabio. Tellingly, one government sponsored blog puts it succinctly ” Udom’s aide replies Akpabio: All is well in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.”
Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District is one constituency that has stood by the Governor through thick and thin. This is not just because the zone is being led by Senator Akpabio who against all odds supported Mr Emmanuel and stood by him to be his successor. Ever since then Senator Akpabio and indeed the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have stood by and supported the Governor. Even political analyst believe that Ikot Ekpene is one zone that the Governor is almost guaranteed a block vote. Through the youths and elders the zone have pledged to support the Governor in his second term bid.
Coming at a time that there has been some form of rapprochement among the elders and the areas of concern being addressed, Mr Finbarr’s article is at best provocative and indeed a serious threat to the peace building effort. If unchecked, it has the potential of further alienating the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District from the administration of Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Some form of excitement comes with writing an article for public consumption especially writing on issues of public interest. But it is the taming of such exuberance especially when one is a spokesperson of the government that defines maturity. By stoking the fire and outrightly insulting Senator Akpabio, the Personal Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Aniekeme Finbarr exhibited none of such.
One of the issues of concern was the seeming abandonment of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene. On January 13, 2017, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties Mr Akan Okon along with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mrs Valerie Obot had led journalists on a two hours eight minutes (according to media reports) tour of the fully furnished hotel complex. The Commissioner threw the doors of the hotel open for every doubting Thomas to see that what needed to be done was dotting of the i’s and crossing of the t’s for the hotel to be functional and indeed promised that by year end the hotel will be operational. At a meeting with Senator Akpabio with youths of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District on new year day the youths expressed concern that the hotel was still not functional as promised by the government, a concern the Senator accepted to address with the Governor. This is what Mr Finbarr is asking Senator Akpabio to shut up. Mr Finbarr may do well to post pictures on the state of the roads in the Senatorial District which he listed as being under construction, a concern the people told Senator Akpabio that nothing much seems to be happening in the zone, a vote basket of the Governor.
In another meeting the elders of the Senatorial District had with their leader they equally expressed concerns that the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene road was yet to receive the attention of the state government. It is a known fact that his predecessor, Obong Victor Attah never supported Chief Akpabio to succeed him. But the ways of God are not the ways of man. As God would have it, Chief Akpabio succeeded Obong Attah. Remarkably, one of the most beautiful roads (dualized and complete with the most modern street lights) ever done in Akwa Ibom State by the Akpabio administration leads to Obong Attah’s house. Even if Senator Akpabio did not support Mr Emmanuel the uncompleted section of the Ikot Ekpene road is in Akwa Ibom State and the people demanded to know from Senator Akpabio when the road would receive the attention of the state government just like other roads in the state. And I think the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District stakeholders who met with Governor Emmanuel on January 4, 2018 were quite satisfied with his explanations and efforts. But not so with an overzealous media aide who wants to stoke fire against his boss by insulting the leader of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and inciting the people against the Governor.
Many other issues were raised and the Governor promised to address them. This is as it should be. Senator Akpabio has said several times that his people will support Mr. Udom Emmanuel not only to succeed but in his bid for a second term. He has championed several motions at different fora to adopt the Governor for a second term even as recent as the meeting with the youths of the Senatorial District on new year day.
Writing a highly inflammatory article by a media aide to the Governor to spite and diminish the Senate Minority Leader is most unfortunate and most unhelpful even to the government that he defends.
Mr Ekong is the Special Assistant on Media to the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Akpabio.
This rejoinder which is unedited does not reflect or represent the view or stand of StraightNews.
