Following
the Supreme Court verdict that confirmed the election of His Excellency, Mr.
Udom Emmanuel as the duly elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Commissioner
for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, in this interview,
bares his mind on the issue and other matters in the State. Excerpts:
QUESTION: Sir since the February 3,
2016 verdict of the Supreme Court that confirmed His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel
as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the political temperature in the State seem
to have changed. What exactly is the situation?
ANSWER: First I will like to say that the Almighty God did justice to Akwa Ibom
State. The people voted massively for his Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel in
the April 11th 2015 gubernatorial elections, and of course,
they expected the mandate to be confirmed. So the Supreme Court did exactly
what was expected and indeed restored the sanctity of the judiciary.
You may recall that when the Governor returned from Abuja after the
Appeal Court judgment, he told the people of Akwa Ibom State not to waiver
because he believed that the Supreme God will work through the Supreme Court to
restore justice. He had always expressed confidence in the judiciary as the
last hope for the common man. His believe in the sanctity of the law and
judiciary has been justified. Since that judgment which confirmed Governor Udom
Emmanuel, the people have been happy. So the mood here has been that of
celebration, joy and thanksgiving to the Almighty God.
I often told the press that those who had no political base nor
structure here had engaged in falsehood and propaganda, confusing those they
could outside the State. They said they will take over Akwa Ibom, and we
wondered how? What do they have to suggest they can win any election in the
State? Again, looking at the reasons the Supreme Court gave for setting aside
the judgment of the Appeal Court, it clearly explains everything even for a lay
man to understand. Let me join my voice in condemning those who are vilifying
their Lordship the Justices of the Supreme Court and the judicial institution,
including a partisan Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
So, the
temperature in the State it has been that of excitement, it has been all about
giving thanks to God. The reaction to the Supreme Court judgment was
spontaneous, the State erupted in joy across the 31local government areas. The
Governor moved around the local governments to see the people and thank them
for such show of support and appreciation. As a man who loves God and
appreciates Him, the Governor started with thanksgiving the morning after. From
then on. it has been reception, accolades, honours, moments of joy. All of
these culminated in a major thanksgiving by the Government and the good people
of the State on Wednesday February 10 at the Godswill Akpabio International
Stadium. It was a show of love and appreciation to God Almighty. You may recall
that during that State thanksgiving, the very revered Bishop David Oyedepo of
Living Faith Church, did say that "the victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel
at the Supreme Court is celebration of light over darkness." He prophesied
light and development for Akwa Ibom people. We believe and stand by that.
QUESTION:
Were there people who out of fear of the unknown, left PDP for APC in Akwa Ibom
State? If there were, what advice do you have for such people?
ANSWER: In his broadcast to the people, shortly after the Supreme Court
ruling, His Excellency the Governor said it was time for greater work for the
greatness of the State. He extended the olive branch to everyone to come join
hands towards the development of the Akwa Ibom because, the State is bigger
than anyone, political party or interest. He did that from the stand point of a
statesman and he should be applauded for that. The governor has done his part,
we however, did not see any movement of any consequence, because those people
that were mentioned were not even with us from the primaries, so their position
or movement was inconsequential
QUESTION: Governor Udom Emmanuel has
consistently said that the focus of his administration is industrialization.
But nine months down the line, many people are wondering what has happened to
the industrialization promise.
ANSWER: The industrialization process is
alive. He has performed ground breaking ceremonies, which is a starting point
in industrial process. I have often said that industrialization or developing
an industry takes a lot of time. It involves various levels of approvals,
authentication and licensing. For instance, he performed the ground
breaking ceremony for the Automobile Assembly plant from MIMSHAC Group in July
last year, today the firm is on site with container load of equipment. They had
to go through licensing and other registration processes, ditto for several
others.
The
Electric Meter Manufacturing Plant is on course and will roll out meters in
about six months. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed for the
take-off of the Coconut Plantation and Processing Refinery. Same goes for the
LED Manufacturing Plant. With tonnes of containers of appliances and
pre-fabricated steel structures on ground, a smooth process is assured. Also,
the Fertilizer Blending Group that came to Abak has started work on site.
Investors are coming from all over the world to invest in Akwa Ibom.
In
furtherance of the governor's noble agenda of developing the State into a
strong economy with abundance of business and employment opportunities in the
Gulf of Guinea, over 1000 youths have been engaged for ORACLE training and
certification, while 200 others were sent to Israel for training in
agriculture, with another 200 trained in the power sector. Gladly, the State
now has a license to produce additional 540 megawatts electricity, thus the
critical need for trained personnel to man the power sector. The Governor is
also developing the Aviation sector. Work is ongoing to complete the second
runway in record time, while efforts are also in top gear for the development
of the main terminal building and the cargo terminals. And, the newest
project is Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurial and Employment Scheme, AKEES, which will
engage and empower about 10,000 youths to work for themselves. Clearly, the
industrialisation promise of the governor is in on.
QUESTION: An advertorial was
published, not long ago, criticizing the publicised achievements of the
Governor. Are the criticisms justified?
ANSWER: They are certainly not justified.
The publication is false and meant to put the administration in bad light. All
the projects of the government are ongoing. Government is constructing over
140kms of road. Work is ongoing on Eket-Ibeno Road, Eket-Etinan Road, Ikot Udom
Road in Ibiono and Mkpat Enin axis. Also Eket urban remodelling is on course
and so on. People must realise that no project can be started and
completed in one week. Government is carrying out the projects through a
very methodical and scientific process to ensure success. And when they are
completed, Akwa Ibom will be a better place.
QUESTION:
Some citizens were employed as teachers and others into the Civil Service.
There are rumours that since their employment over one year ago, they have not
been paid salaries. Is this true? And if true, why?
ANSWER: On the civil service employment, government found out that there was
racketeering, where some people gave out fake appointment papers to unqualified
candidates. So government had to set up a committee to verify and ensure that
only qualified persons were employed. That process is over and those genuinely
employed have undergone biometric capturing, they were pay-rolled and
they got their January salaries. You can be sure their arrears will be considered
and paid in due course. In the teaching service, a certain syndicate also
sold appointment letters to unqualified candidates, who neither had National
Certificate of Education nor degree in Education. You cannot allow people who
are not qualified to go into the classrooms as teachers. The seeming delay is
not intended to hurt anybody. Since government has started with the civil
service you can be sure that issues in the teaching service employment will
also be sorted out and salaries paid to qualified and genuine employees.
QUESTION:
we are hearing so much at this end. What is the relationship between Governor
Udom Emmanuel and his predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio?
ANSWER: His Excellency, Governor Udom
Emmanuel and his predecessor, the Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill
Akpabio have maintained a cordial relationship, thus showing a good example of
how a predecessor and a successor can relate well in the interest and for the development
of the State.
You need
to understand that in line with agenda of the sitting Governor, there is
inclusiveness in Akwa Ibom State. The Governor invites all former Governors
both military and civilian, stakeholders and elder statesmen. He consults with
them on important State matters. I want to disabuse the minds of the people
about the relationship between the Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill
Akpabio. There is stability, cooperation and unity among the leaders in the
State.
QUESTION: Nine months since taking
over the mantle of leadership. What specific achievements would you say Gov
Udom Emmanuel has recorded?
ANSWER: I have mentioned some of the
achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel in this interview. However, let me
reiterate that as a meticulous administrator, Governor Udom Emmanuel has taken
time to encapsulate his vision for the State in a five point agenda of Job
Creation; Poverty Alleviation; Wealth Creation; Economic and Political
inclusion; Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion.
To achieve
his vision, therefore, he inaugurated a Technical Committee on Foreign Direct
Investment, Technical Committee on Ibaka Deep seaport project, Technical
Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, and rehabilitated and re-commissioned
the Peacock Paint factory in Etinan.
Also, to
consolidate the infrastructural edge of the State, the administration of
Governor Udom Emmanuel has ensured the clearing of 85 hectares of land in Eket
for 100,000 barrels per day petroleum refinery, and another 15 hectares along
Eastern Obolo - Mkpat Enin axis for coconut plantation and refinery.
As I
speak, over 50 foreign investors have indicated interest in coming to setup
shops in Akwa Ibom State, while ground breaking ceremonies have been performed
for the take-off of a number of industrial concerns.
The administration carried out emergency intervention on gully erosion
at at Enen Atai along Calabar – Itu Highway and behind Independence Hall, Abak.
The special intervention at the St. Luke's Hospital Anua, in Uyo is also
deserving of mention. the governor constructed a new Gynaecology Block in
addition to rehabilitating the Children and Male Wards. He equally intervened
and salvaged the Nursing School of the hospital from a ravaging gully erosion.
QUESTION: Are there other
thoughts you will like to share with our readers?
ANSWER: I want to call on the people of Akwa Ibom to continue to support
Governor Udom Emmanuel. The State is moving on the path of development and
greatness. We thank Akwa Ibomites and other Nigerians for their support and
prayers. We should all pray more for Akwa Ibom State, President Muhammadu
Buhari and Nigeria to come out of her present economic difficulties.
