Ibom Telegraph brings to you vox pop on Governor Udom Emmanuel’s two years of leadership. Excerpts:
“Physically, the syringe industry at ONNA, when completed, will create an overwhelming impact. I am sure, from what I saw and I know, by August, it will be fully operational. Government itself is on the right track in terms of choice of projects and cottage industries. They are all participatory projects through the Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) to bridge the gap between the private sector and government. For me, generally, the Governor has a good score mark.” – Sir Val Attah, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission.
“I have seen nothing that justifies that Governor Udom Emmanuel is working or has done anything, especially where I reside. The reason is that every Dick, Tom and Harry complains of not feeling his impact in terms of development. We are told Akwa Ibom State still gets the highest allocation from the Federal Government but we have gained nothing tangible from it. Personally, I have seen no gain from this government.” – Mrs. Uduak Umoh, a trader that resides in Mbiabong Etoi, Uyo.
“In simple term, the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s story is a successful story. It is a story that has earned Akwa Ibom State the respect of Nigeria. We have been blessed with a Governor who is committed to diversifying plans of the Akwa Ibom dreams. Luckily, we have a Governor who appears to have come prepared that we have to look beyond oil and to invest into the future. And how do invest into the future? You have to diversify. Even in the face of dwindling economy, Governor Udom Emmanuel has demonstrated clearly that he is a leader for this time. He has brought Akwa Ibom people together, beyond the ethnic matrix. So, on a number of flanks, you find a Governor who is committed to advancing the interest of his people, a Governor who is committed to investing in the future of his people, and a Governor who is committed to ensuring that peace prevails in the state.” – Barrister Ekong Sampson, Special Adviser, Bureau of Political, Legislative Affairs and Water Resources.
“I think the Government of the day as led by Governor Udom Emmanuel is still trying to find its footings. I see his industrialization drive, which to me, needs more homework for it to have a direction. An Economist might say, in terms of industrialization, that what we have on ground is illusionary. He needs to lay foundation; our Real sector has to be established. Let’s forget about building structures in the name of industry, there are actually some very small industries in Akwa Ibom State if energized can give our economy a lifeline.” – Hon. Ubong Ekefre, former Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Transition Committee.
“I want to say it from my heart; personally, I am so very impressed with the developmental strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel. When you look at it from the fact that the paucity of fund due to recession, the Governor still embarks of projects; building roads, building industries, attracting investment to the state, for me he has done very well.” – Pastor Ndiuwem Okuku, Director of Protocol, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA).
“MY personal assessment of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s leadership in two years is very clear that he has done well. He has been able to connect us to roads and other infrastructure in the state. We have seen positive benefits from him.” – Hon. Edima Martins, former member of Nsit Ibom Local Government Transition Committee.
“Udom Emmanuel as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, other than paying salaries is also doing some projects, at least we can witness with the Information Drive. There was a time we believed we had money, it was not done. We have also gone round to witness other projects with the state. Why am I saying this? We may be tempted to judge the Governor on salaries or on how well he is servicing the needs of politicians but for me, governance is more than that. Sometimes, we place more focus on the complaints of some Commissioners. If one Commissioner complains that Governor Udom Emmanuel is not giving him money, we tend to judge the Governor on that fact. The state is not for politicians alone. Politicians represent just a small fraction of the management scope of the state. So, based on the times and based on Governor Udom Emmanuel’s capability to manage the times, I will rate him very high. He has been able to exercise his experience in the management of the resources that have come to address some key areas. He has done very well.” – Elder Patrick Albert, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)
“I am one of the greatest beneficiaries of the Udom Emmanuel’s government in the extent that I am a DAKKADA ambassador. I have been properly cultivated and I personally want him to go for a second term in office so that I will continue to benefit.” – Micah Edem Effiong, an artisan with Mbiabong Timber Market, Uyo.
“For me, I have only one Governor which is Deacon Udom Emmanuel. I am in this boat with him and I will continue to remain in this boat with him come 2019.” – Dr Usoro Akpanusoh, member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel has performed beyond expectation. Why am I saying this? Like you also said, we are living in a challenging time and the resources available to the state are not like it used to be but he has used the little to touch every sector of the state’s economy; from the Health sector to the Transport sector, to the Education sector. Every sector of our economy has been touched.” – Mr. Akan Okon, Commissioner, Ministry of Housing and Special Duties.
“For me, Governor Udom Emmanuel is doing well. He happens to be one of those Governors that have quality. As a person, I don’t regret that I was not a Governor but I know Udom is a thinking Governor. It is not by the noise making through the media that I think he has performed; I have seen Udom as a performing Governor. One, he is trying to understand the needs of the people and addressing the needs, and the need of Akwa Ibom people today is industrialization. The need of Akwa Ibom people today is communication in terms of road network from one local government area to the other. So, Udom is reaching out to the hinterlands that have been forgotten. So, for me he is doing well in his first two years and in the next two years that he is going before his second coming, he would have perfected his philosophy of asking Akwa Ibom people to arise to their greatness. I think he is laying a very good foundation for his people and he is compatible with the resources at hand.” – Dr Chris Ekpenyong, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
To be continued…
