…Says Ownership Of Ibom Tropicana Has Been Changed
Priscilla Christopher
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen has indicated interest in the 2023 senatorial election of his district.
He stated this during a chat with members of the Conference of Online Publishers Akwa Ibom State (COOPA), on the 3rd edition of their annual Democracy Day Social Media Convo on Thursday, May, 27, 2021.
Inyangeyen who bared his mind on democracy in the State expressed willingness to join the 2023 senatorial race if God wills.
“I am happy with the democracy we’re practicing, but I think we can do better. Democracy at anytime is better than the command system. We may not have had it all, but as we progress, we listen to our people and do the necessary adjustments. When you take decisions without consulting the people, there are bound to be mix ups”.
“If it is the will of God that I contest election in 2023, I will contest. If it is the will of God, He will put it in the minds of my people. It is God’s plans that will work in Akwa Ibom State. Men will plan, but God will overrule”, he said.
Speaking on the state of the infrastructural development in the State, the Chief of Staff noted that Governor Emmanuel was making frantic efforts at completing projects inherited and initiated by his administration.
“Everything that Governor Godswill Akpabio started, Governor Udom Emmanuel is tidying them up. He is equally laying the foundation for industrialization. Look at Tropicana, if it were another government, the project would have been abandoned. We’re engaging with private investors that would take over the hotel section and ensure it is completed and functional”, he said.
He further debunked claims of Ibom Air being owned by unnamed entities and assured that the State’s foremost Airline is owned and managed by the State Government.
“Every business that Akwa Ibom State Government has, there is a memorandum of understanding. Ibom Air is owned by Akwa Ibom State Government but government said it can’t run it under the civil service but private structure. It is one hundred percent owned by Akwa Ibom State Government… I can give you the guarantee that Government owns Ibom Air”, Inyangeyen stressed.
Shedding more light on controversies surrounding the location of Ibom Deep Seaport, Governor Emmanuel’s Chief of Staff maintained that “the Deep Seaport is coming to Akwa Ibom State”. “There is no relocation”, he insisted and warned rumour mongers to stop stoking fires of discord among members of the State.
He called on youths of the State to get themselves prepared for the many opportunities the Seaport project and others would avail them, adding that they are the reason for the execution of the projects.
“The Ibom Deep Seaport is coming to Akwa Ibom State. The people that the government is preparing the future for, must also be ready for that future. The youth must be ready for the future that is secured by the efforts of the government through their willingness and Commitment”, he charged.
The Chief of Staff however informed that the State mega entertainment and hospitality complex, Ibom Tropicana has been handed over to a private firm.
“His Excellency has just mandated the handing over of the hotel at Ibom Tropicana to a company. Government is not well positioned to manage businesses which should be managed by the private sector,” he said.
While calling on the people of Akwa Ibom to give the State Governor the needed support to last through his administration, Mr. Inyangeyen sued for trust for the State’s Chief Executive Leadership and succession plan.
“About 2023, I think the Governor should be believed and given time. The Governor has no plans to bring in a puppet. Power belongs to God. If it is God that will speak to the Governor, when the Governor brings out a candidate, trust me, people will queue behind. God can never be late; Let’s give the Governor the benefit of doubt”, he pleaded.
Meanwhile, the COOPA Democracy Day Convo continues up until June 12, 2021 and will feature series of conversations with keyplayers and policy makers in the society who will be discussing topical issues relating to democracy in Nigeria. Interested participants are to call 07087236080 for
