By Otobong SAMPSON
While his traducers were running round the social media space trying so hard but unsuccessfully in selling lies about the recently commissioned mega Rice Processing Mill in Ini Local Government, Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel recorded another wondrous achievement leaving his defamers trailing behind and with their tails dangling in-between their legs. It is the news that the state will be floating its airline (Ibom Air) in less than two weeks. Three new aircrafts have been purchased already by the government with more to join the fleet subsequently. If this isn’t good story, then nothing else is!
There is something unusual about the incumbent governor both as a politician and a Nigerian leader. There’s also a striking difference between him and the man he succeeded in office, Mr. Godswill Akpabio. While Emmanuel works more and talks less, his predecessor performed less as governor but rolled out so much exaggerations. Unarguably, if it were to be Akpabio’s government, publicity and hype would cost more than the total purchase sum of the three aircrafts…a grandmaster of hyperbole and amplifications. The wastages of state funds between the period 2007 to 2015 were mind boggling.
In just about four years, the Deacon has effortlessly upped the template of governance in Nigeria. Mr. Akpabio laboriously sought to make echt marks in his eight years. For instance, while the former governor revelled and caroused in bogus projects with spurious value which costs were overinflated, his successor has focused on strategic infrastructural development and sustainable economic initiatives and programmes.
The Ibom E-Library, Four Point hotel in Ikot Ekpene, Ibom Tropicana Galleria, Ibom Specialist Hospital – all, projects embarked upon by the last administration, are today shameful monuments that bear testament to Akwa Ibom’s years of wastages in abundance. The underground pipe-jacking drainage system at Itam, then over hyped, is today an embarrassing sore as its target areas are over flooded whenever it rains.
The decision of the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish a state-owned airline and further invest in the aviation industry makes huge economic sense. The aviation industry is a money spinner that still needs to be explored in Nigeria and Governor Emmanuel, distinguished in vision, has seen the prospects which is why his administration has taken the bold step.
With the expectation of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) section of the airport becoming fully operational soon, it can only mean one thing; Akwa Ibom under the Deacon has taken quantum leaps towards economic prosperity. The revenue profile of the state will be significantly boosted, more job opportunities will spring up for Akwa Ibomites.
It is important to note that the MRO which has gotten huge investment attention by the present administration was abandoned by the last administration.
In 2013, the sum of one billion naira was budgeted for purchase of aircraft for Ibom Air by the Akpabio administration. By 2014 during the annual budget defence, the Appropriation and Finance Committee of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly then headed by Barr. Onofiok Luke (now Speaker of the House) observed that evidence showed the sum had been released by the Office of the Account-General but no purchase was made. According to news reports then, the money was traced to a personal account. This position (the one billion naira budget for a state-owned aircraft) was corroborated recently, on December 19, 2018, by Barr. Bassey Etienam in reaction to a post on the Facebook page of one Essien Inyang. Etienam is a former member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and served during the time in reference. This writer served as Media and Public Affairs Assistant to Barr. Etienam between the period 2011 to 2015.
That the governor is targeting the aviation industry to shore up the revenue profile of the state shows foresight and prescience.
Africa’s MRO market is estimated at $2.4 billion. Currently, only seven MROs run in the continent: Air Algeria Technics; Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering; Ethiopian Airlines MRO; Kenyan Airways; Royal Air Maroc, Morocco, South African Airways Technical; and TunisAir Technics.
Unfortunately, this goldmine has remained untapped over the years in most parts of Africa. Nigeria is still battling to join the league of these providers and this is where Mr. Emmanuel should be commended for the sacrificial investments to get the MRO here on steam, side by side, with Ibom Air.
Airports in Africa are key for socio economic development. The aviation industry wheels global travel and advances economic links and trade. It is key in linking its society to the global economy and gives expanded opportunities for tourism. Firms are connected to larger potential sales markets and societies are opened to bigger investment opportunities.
It is with this knowledge that the governor is securing the future of Akwa Ibom with daring but brilliant investments in the aviation industry.
