By Aniekan UDOFIA
As the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Mr Udom Emmanuel continues to inaugurate roads project across the state as part of activities to mark the Third Anniversary of his administration, former Governor of Benue State Dr Gabriel Suswam said Mr Udom Emmanuel has done exceptionally well.
Dr Suswan stated this while he accompanied Mr Emmanuel to the inauguration of the 6.1km Network of 5 roads in Atan Offot village, the 1.292km Ntiedo Udosen Street Uyo and the 2.1km State Secretariat Annex – Believers Assembly Road.
The Former Benue State Governor who was given the honour to cut the tape said ”
I want to at this point give you a new name Your Excellency Mr Infrastructure Emmanuel Udom. Let me again appreciate the wisdom of this young man who God has sent to come and wipe away the tears of the people who before now thought they were abandoned and isolated. He has clearly shown that politicians can now make promises and fulfill them, perhaps maybe his banking background, because someone who keeps Billions of people’s money in his hands and that money is safe you can carefully put your political future in his hands. And I’m sure that you are not disappointed.You didn’t make a mistake. I’m sure when he came they said who is this man? He is not a politician , what does he know? Now you know he knows.” He commended the Governor for his commitment to public service.
Dr Suswam told the people who came out in their numbers to witness the inauguration that the only way they can compensate the the Governor for his good works is to bring him back in 2019. He went furthered to tease the people by saying ” Maybe then he will start tarring inside people’s houses too because his new name is Mr Infrastructure Emmanuel Udom, because from what I have heard and have seen he is Mr Infrastructure and let me tell you that infrastructure is a key to a society that is hoping and looking forward to development. What he is trying to do and what he is doing to you people is to bring development to your door step.” He went on to cut the tape and formally declare the road inaugurated.
The Former Benue State Governor also spoke at the inauguration of the 2.1km State Secretariat Annex- Believers Assembly Road. Dr Suswam said “one of the United Nations main developmental indices that is acceptable is infrastructure. You are trying to do what the Arabs have done to Dubai. I can’t imagine that you are turning a mere village into a highly Metropolitan City. If they don’t know it now, tomorrow the children will know. At least I have been around this country and I can say that I can’t find a State that has been so networked in terms of road infrastructure . As much as I tried during my time, I would say I didn’t measure up to what you are doing here. You’ve done a great job .” Dr Suswam scored the governor high in infrastructural development.
Dr Suswam did not hide his admiration for the Works Commissioner Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen whose Ministry supervises the work done to ensure it meets global standard. He told governor Emmanuel that “the quality of work is what will impress anybody. I think your Commissioner for Works is not shortchanging you because he is doing a good work.” For a man who has been a governor of a State, he understands better how the good intention of the Chief Executive can amount to nothing with a bad Commissioner supervising a Ministry. In this same country we have seen Ministers and Commissioners enrich themselves at the detriment of their Ministries. So when the former Benue State Governor spoke , he was speaking from a stand point of knowledge.
The commitment that the Ephraim Inyangeyen led Ministry of Works has shown is similar to that of bringing water out from the rock. Governor Udom Emmanuel in one of his remarks said he gives very tough deadlines and expects that you meet it. It is this tough deadlines that the Ministry of Works Akwa Ibom State has had to work under. Little wonder you will rarely find the Commissioner for Works Mr Inyangeyen in the office, but rather you would find him at different sites inspecting ongoing roads construction. Even the Contractors know that Ephraim Inyangeyen can show up any time so “do the job well” becomes their watchword.
Several times the Works Commissioner has order contractors to correct their works, breaking down bad jobs. Even telling them that his own knowledge of engineering is divine, so they shouldn’t worry too much why he knows all he knows about road construction. It is not surprising for the Contractors to know that with Ephraim Inyangeyen it is cost effective to do the right job than to cut corners and have Ephraim Inyangeyen ask you to redo the job and you lose what you wanted to fraudulently save.
Dr Gabriel Suswam, the former Governor of Benue State may have come to Akwa Ibom State and have gone, his words at the inauguration of the three roads project in Akwa Ibom State will echo till eternity.
