Akpabio is not Passionate About the
Plight of Oro People – Robinson Uwak
You Are inciting Ethnic Strife – Aniekan Umanah
Orman Esin to Uwak – Your Media War will
lead us to nowhere
Hon.
Robinson Uwak’s Facebook Post
During
my last telephone conversation with our Governor Chief Dr. Godwill Obot Akpabio
CON on Monday, which lasted for about an hour, I mentioned to him that I have
taken steps to solve some of the infrastructure problems facing Oro when he
complained about the state's dwindling allocation (which I doubt) as his excuse
for not tackling certain infrastructural decay within my constituency
particularly the Oron road which is completely an eyesore. I went further to
reveal to him that I had caused the
National Assembly to appropriate through NDDC the sum of N2.6B for the
dualization of Oron road from Uya-Oron Junction to the Beach. I respectfully
called on our governor to support my effort by exploring his relationship with
the Federal Government especially the NDDC to fast track the award of the
contract for this project to a reputable construction company. His Excellency's
response to me was quite evasive and I quote him thus "hmmmmmm... you know
these NDDC people they might not want to do it". This sort of evasive
response from our Governor further goes to buttress the fact that he is not
passionate about the plight of the Oro people. The struggle continues.
 |
| Hon. Robinson Edet Uwak Member House of Reps Oron Federal Constituency, Nigeria |
Apartheid In Akwa Ibom State - Robinson Uwak
Democracy we had hoped will bring good governance all the way. For the people of Oron ethnic nationality comprising of five local governments namely : Okobo,Mbo, Urue offong-Oruko, Udung-Uko, pain, anguish, gnashing of teeth, grief and tears is what democracy, as unleashed by the Chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio(CON) has brought our way. Despite the fact that these five local governments account for over 80% of the 99% revenue accruing to the state from oil revenue(The state earns only 1% revenue from other sources of revenue) the Oro people have no idea of what "uncommon Transformation " feels like or looks like. To have an idea of what "uncommon transformation " feels like you have to travel all the way to the Annang speaking part of the state where Akpabio hails from. Tired of waiting for the "uncommon transformation " to reach them well over 7years of the 8years tenure of Akpabio, the people of Oro decided to put up a documentary http://youtu.be/LZMqdjTXQvs Calling on government to come to their aid owing to gargantuan level of infrastructure decay in their community. They managed to put together the required funding to pay AIT to air the documentary only to be told that Akpabio had ordered AIT not to air the said documentary. Imagine what it feels like to be oppressed and cannot speak out. This can only be APARTHEID. Please join in giving voice to the voiceless. Please append your initial and rebroadcast to give voice to the oppressed. God bless you.
Hon Robinson Uwak
Democracy we had hoped will bring good governance all the way. For the people of Oron ethnic nationality comprising of five local governments namely : Okobo,Mbo, Urue offong-Oruko, Udung-Uko, pain, anguish, gnashing of teeth, grief and tears is what democracy, as unleashed by the Chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio(CON) has brought our way. Despite the fact that these five local governments account for over 80% of the 99% revenue accruing to the state from oil revenue(The state earns only 1% revenue from other sources of revenue) the Oro people have no idea of what "uncommon Transformation " feels like or looks like. To have an idea of what "uncommon transformation " feels like you have to travel all the way to the Annang speaking part of the state where Akpabio hails from. Tired of waiting for the "uncommon transformation " to reach them well over 7years of the 8years tenure of Akpabio, the people of Oro decided to put up a documentary http://youtu.be/LZMqdjTXQvs Calling on government to come to their aid owing to gargantuan level of infrastructure decay in their community. They managed to put together the required funding to pay AIT to air the documentary only to be told that Akpabio had ordered AIT not to air the said documentary. Imagine what it feels like to be oppressed and cannot speak out. This can only be APARTHEID. Please join in giving voice to the voiceless. Please append your initial and rebroadcast to give voice to the oppressed. God bless you.
Hon Robinson Uwak
The Executive chairman of Oron Local Government, Mr. Orman Esin
has condemned in strong terms the recent newspapers publication and social
media attack by the member representing Oron Federal constituency in the
Federal House of Representatives, Mr Robinson Uwak against the person and the
office of Executive Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
In a release signed by Hon. Esin a copy of which was made
available to our correspondent, Hon. Esin said whatever may have been his
grievances against the Executive governor, Hon. Uwak has myriad of approaches
through which he could access the governor to iron out issues.
According to Hon. Orman Esin going by our traditions and customs,
if for any reason a son has an issue with his father, it behooves on him by
virtue of his placement as a son to apply decorum and humble approach in the
presentation of matters.
Commenting on Hon.Robinson Uwak’s allegation that His Excellency
caused to be stopped the airing of his documentary billed to be broadcast on
the AIT, Hon. Esin described such as unwarranted.
Making reference to Chief Godswill Akpabio’s transformation agenda
in the state, the Oron Local Government Chairman stressed that indeed the last
seven years has been a rewarding one not only for the people of Oron Local
Government and by extension Oro nation but also for the whole state.
Hon. Esin who rhetorically asked “before the emergence of the
present administration how was Akwa Ibom?” said although no single
administration can successfully provide all the dividend of democracy to the
people, yet within the limited resources accruable to the state His Excellency
has tried his best to develop the state to the admiration of all.
The Oron Council Chairman advised Hon. Robinson Uwak to
discontinue his media war against His Excellency the Governor but should rather
galvanize the needed support from the people of his constituency by virtue of
his vantage position as a member of the Federal House of Representatives to
ensure that the present administration under His Excellency, Chief Godswill
Akpabio succeeds to the end.
Hon. Esin added that rather than helping us as a people the
continues media attack by Hon. Robinson Uwak against the number one citizen of
the state may create a gap between the people of Oro and the Government, a
development which will lead us to nowhere.
He called on all Akwa Ibomites within and the Diaspora to continue
supporting the Governor in his strides to ensuring that Akwa Ibom reaps full
dividends of democracy.
Equally, the Oron
Council boss appealed to the stakeholders and well meaning sons and daughters
of Oro nation to wade into the matter.
Robinson
Uwak's Vain-Glorious Conspiracy
By Aniekan Umanah
By Aniekan Umanah
I have followed with deep sense of nostalgia, the rather
unfortunate attempt by my brother, Hon. Robinson Uwak, in recent times, to
disparage and malign his Governor and benefactor, His Excellency, Chief Dr.
Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.
Lucky Dube, peace on his ashes, once sang the lines, "leaders start a war anytime they want. Some for their rights, some for fun, some for their own glory." Those words reverberate in my mind when I consider the recent vainglorious war of calumny visited on our pragmatic leader and boss, Governor Akpabio, by Hon. Robinson Uwak. It so oft pricks me to recall the remarkable lines of William Shakespeare, laced with all the foreboding of classic irony, "EVEN THOU BRUTUS," in the playscript, Julius Caesar.
Now, Hon. Uwak is not just anybody. He is a leader in his own right. Uwak represents Oron, which is one out of the ten Federal Constituencies of Akwa Ibom State in the National Assembly. In what many pundits have described as a desperate attempt to secure a second term ticket, Uwak resorted to using his Facebook wall to rain invectives on Governor Akpabio.
When my attention was initially drawn to his facile comments, I expressed doubts that a man of honourable esteem, like Robinson Uwak, will stoop so low. My doubt was dispelled when I actually confirmed the rants on his Facebook wall. In my rumination, I wondered what is honourable about a son who plays to strip his father before a partisan crowd. I pondered on how Uwak wants to earn political goodwill by insulting the office and person of his governor.
That my brother Uwak threw caution to the wind to denigrate and make public ridicule of the respect accorded him by Governor Godswill Akpabio, shows the height of disregard and contempt he holds against the State Governor who had, through a telephone conversation, invited him to discuss his grievances.
Like the proverbial man who tries to hide his face behind his thumb, Uwak believes, erroneously, that by casting slur on Governor Akpabio's unrivalled performance, his below par performance in the National Assembly will be canceled out.
Uwak, attempting to incite ethnic strife and exploit fault lines, alleged that Governor Akpabio hates Oro nation and has marginalized them in all ramifications with total neglect. He goes ahead to put down the pragmatic peoples' Governor, calling him "the Uncommon Transformer of Annang Land and parts of Uyo".
I had a good laugh when his hirelings, in cue like a choreographed ensemble, went wild with media blitz to hail Uwak as an Oron patriot and defender. I laughed uncontrollably because most of them are not from Oro nation. The few who are, no doubt, are those who subscribe to Uwak's crumbling private interest cloaked as good for the Oro peoples and their politics. I will explain.
Let me begin by stating that no leader in the world can ever complete or do everything in such a manner that there is nothing left to be done. That is why we all know that Government is a continuum. Chief Akpabio, by himself, does acknowledge this fact. Often times, he alludes to the truth that if Jesus Christ had finished everything there was to be done pertaining to the faith, pastors and other clergymen the world over would be useless in the present and future ages. Fact is that they are here with us because the harvest is plenty but the reapers are few.
Uwak has taken his grandstanding to another conceited and deceptive level. In order to prove his allegation against H. E. Governor Godswill Akpabio, he purportedly commissioned a documentary written and produced to spotlight only the downsides of Oro geophysical realities. While nobody denies that there are a few downsides, the problems and challenges that Governor Akpabio met on ground were enormous, are almost impossible to conceive because of sheer enormity. The incontrovertible fact remains that he has performed excellently for the entire state, and in particular moved the Oro nation forward. It is worrisome that Uwak conveniently ignored the goodies Governor Akpabio has delivered to Oro nation, but gloats in fault finding. This smacks of cheap politicking.
Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio, I must confess, deserves the appreciation and praise of every Oro man and, indeed, of the good people of Akwa Ibom. So much more, we should thank God Almighty; He granted us the blessing of such a leader who has earned world acclaim for his seven-star performance. When he came on board on May 29, 2007, his speech - A HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF ALL COMPONENTS OF THE STATE inspired hope and set the spirit and vision of his administration. Intent on developing all parts of the state and making government to work, Governor Akpabio adopted proper models for multi-sector development. By these arrangements and models, all the major sub-urban centres in the former divisions would be re-developed as the melting points of their catchment areas. Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan, Eket, Abak, Ikot Abasi and Oron became focal points.
Roads construction, which have taken a major leap in the Akpabio administration, were well spread. In that deliberate plan: Eket has 49 urban roads; Oron had 34; Ikot Abasi had 18; Abak had 19; and Etinan with a stretch of 18.6 kilometres of road constructed.
Since Oro nation is the issue, I want my brother, Hon. Uwak to dispute the fact that all the under listed road projects are not located there. The roads include:
ORON
1) a) The Construction of Etebi Ewang Road & Bridge 23km (ONGOING)
b) Etebi Ewang Bridge - 1.2km ( The longest bridge in Akwa Ibom State )
2) ( COMPLETED) Temporary Terminal building Ibom International Airport,
( ONGOING) Permanent terminal building Ibom International Airport in Okobo, Oro Nation
3) Renovated Iquita General Hospital Oron with living quarters for doctors fully equipped & furnished with 18 suites
4) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lot 1, Civic Center Road Spur Eyotong Road
5) Court Road,; 6) Isangedighi Street,; 7) Lawrence Etim Avenue
8) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lots 2 & 4 Anwana Mba Street,
9) Mount Zion Street, 10) Mainland Lane, Effiat Street; 11) Afaha Okpo Street,
Agric Lane; 12) Lot 4; Anamfa Street, 13) Okpo Edet- Aba Road, 14) Akilu Street,
15) Convent Road, 16) Ibo Street, 17) Asanwana Street, 18) Awolowo Street
19) Etim Inyang 1; 20) Udesi Street, 21) Uyo Oron Street; 22) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lots 3; 23) Esio Okwong Udo Avenue; 24)Hon. Martin Effiong Close; 25) New Police Station Road; 26) Obisung-Nduonyi Road; 27) Eyo, Ekerendu, Elei Street; 28) Etienam Street; 29) Uda Street,
30)Construction of Oron - Airport Diversion loops 2 ( Ikot Asua - Odobo Nung Atai) road - ( 8.3 km); 31) Construction of Oron road sect II from Mbiabong RR. IIto Airport - ( 21. 3 km); 32) Akan Street
33)Construction of Oron - Airport Diversion loops 2 ( Ikot Asua - Odobo Nung Atai) road - ( 8.3 km); 34) Construction of Oron road sect II from Mbiabong RR. IIto Airport - ( 21. 3 km) and 35) Azikiwe Street.
As we speak, over 27 or 80% of those roads in Oron axis have been completed and several inaugurated. Few others had design defects and are being re-constructed. If Uwak is not aware of this, then he has spent too much time in Abuja and on Facebook, his new home.
Naturally, Uyo as the capital city hosts a more significant chunk of the key projects which I will not bother to count. Nevertheless, Oron nation is host to the Ibom International Airport with a major road bypass criss-crossing Ikot Itie Idung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area and all the way to Okobo. That road was constructed by the administration to complement the airport which opens up the state in general, and Oron Federal Constituency in particular, to unprecedented opportunities on an international scale.
Eket Senatorial District can boast of a fair share of the Governor's midas touch. The Ibom Power Plant at Ikot Abasi, which he met at 65% completion level, was completed by Governor Akpabio. Eastern Obolo, since creation of the state, had her first ever State Government project, a world class General Hospital, completed by His Excellency Governor Akpabio. It also has several inter-ministerial projects scattered across her tough terrain.
We also note that the biggest gas processing plant in this part of the world has been completed at Uquo in Esit Eket, having 59 kilometres of gas pipeline feeding Ikot Abasi. It is awaiting inauguration by Mr President. Ibeno, which is a major oil hub, also has a first ever hospital constructed by the Governor Akpabio administration. We can also cite the ongoing dualization of Eket-Ibeno road as part of the Uncommon Transformer's signature project in Eket Senatorial District. How come the Governor is said to have only impacted on Uyo and Annang land by our brother?
Should we also remind Hon. Uwak that Governor Akpabio has pursued with zeal and passion the realization of the Ibaka deep seaport at Mbo? Although in the exclusive list of the Federal Government, the Akpabio administration has not relented effort in demonstrating political will, logistic or financial support to speed up its completion. Again, this is planned to be the hub of international business in the Gulf of Guinea and is one that will benefit the people of Oro nation the most. Yet, Governor Akpabio is not an Oro man, but a patriot and statesman in his thinking and vision.
The ambitious project of embarking on the longest bridge in the state at Okontighe across River Mbo was effected by Governor Akpabio. This project, Uwak knows, has always remained in the pipeline of successive administrations for over sixty years. But, Uwak will not acknowledge the large heartedness of the governor to pull it off. Our people in Mbo and Oro nation, who will benefit from that landmark, celebrate this great achiever.
It beats my imagination that Hon. Uwak is unaware of the 483 inter-ministerial projects executed and inaugurated, with an additional 157 ongoing projects across Oro nation. These include classroom blocks, mini water schemes, electricity projects, health centres among others. Many more are currently in progress.
He may also be unaware that Iquita General Hospital was one of the secondary healthcare facilities to be completed courtesy of the Uncommon Transformer of Annang Land and Uyo. That hospital and its 18 blocks for House Officers are not in Annang land, but were constructed by the Governor Akpabio administration in Oro nation.
Can we deny that our own people also executed the Inter-Ministerial contracts and were thus empowered by the Akpabio administration? Can I add that over two billion Naira worth of projects are involved in these transactions?
If Governor Akpabio has neglected Oro nation, his political patronage ought to reflect something other than what we know. Oron nation have produced two Ministers of the Federal Republic through Governor Akpabio. Prof. Ita Okon Ewa was Honourable Minister of Science and Technology and, currently, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi is the Honourable Minister of Housing.
At every point in this administration since 2007, the five local Governments of Oro nation, in a state with 31 Council areas, fill three slots with Honourable Commissioners. The three Commissioners now in service are: Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim (Justice and Attorney General); Prof. Alice Antai (Education); and Mr Ante Oquong (Economic Development). There was also the Late Pastor Oyong Asuquo and Chief Victor Iyanam who served as Commissioners in key ministries. So, what is Akpabio's sin against the Oro nation? None whatsoever!
The Chairman of the Governing Board of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Eminue, and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, are both of Oro extraction. Even the pioneer bursar of the new Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, is not Annang but from Oro nation that has its fair share of political appointments as do other parts of the State.
Oron nation’s quest to be included and recognized as an oil producing area got its most significant endorsement from Governor Akpabio. For the first time ever, an Oro son, Etim Inyang jnr. was appointed Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Board. For the ongoing National Conference at Abuja, Her Excellency Mrs Atim Okpoyo, Chief Okon Osung - Chairman of Oro Think Tank and Dr Uyot were nominated by the governor as members of the state delegation to the confab. Should we remind Uwak that all these do not smack of neglect of a people?
Should we also inform him that the failed portions of the federal Oron/Uyo road is receiving due intervention from Governor Akpabio who deployed Nigerpet Construction Company to reclaim the area while awaiting Federal input? Has he forgotten that the Akpabio administration has acquired and paid compensation for land in order to expand the Maritime Academy, Oron that is bidding to obtain a degree awarding university status from the Federal Government? Is Oro nation left out of the Free and Compulsory Education programme up to Senior Secondary level put in place by the Akpabio administration? Uwak should please answer these questions.
My submission, therefore, is that Governor Akpabio has taken keen interest in the overall development of the State without leaving out even the remotest part. I have a deep sense of gratitude to a man who has significantly altered our perception and definition of politics, while engaging first class good governance methods.
Uwak's resort to open letters and Facebook war is not only laced with mischief, but skewed with prejudice and political treachery. Governor Akpabio has done his best within consideration of competing challenges across the state and limit of resources available to him. What is left is for all persons in Oro nation, and Akwa Ibom as a whole, to pray earnestly that God should give us a worthy successor who will continue from where Governor Akpabio's tenure ends, who will sustain his passion and drive for comprehensive development of all parts of the State and even surpass his legacies. Governor Akpabio does not deserve Uwak's vainglorious war of playing to the gallery. We are not amused, fooled or blindfolded by his antics.
Finally, let me remind my brother, Hon. Uwak, that if he believes the lie that abusing Governor Akpabio on pages of newspapers, electronic or social media platforms will guarantee him a second term ticket, which is his real target, then he has taken a walk into darkness. One does not have to destroy others in a bid to succeed.
Lucky Dube, peace on his ashes, once sang the lines, "leaders start a war anytime they want. Some for their rights, some for fun, some for their own glory." Those words reverberate in my mind when I consider the recent vainglorious war of calumny visited on our pragmatic leader and boss, Governor Akpabio, by Hon. Robinson Uwak. It so oft pricks me to recall the remarkable lines of William Shakespeare, laced with all the foreboding of classic irony, "EVEN THOU BRUTUS," in the playscript, Julius Caesar.
Now, Hon. Uwak is not just anybody. He is a leader in his own right. Uwak represents Oron, which is one out of the ten Federal Constituencies of Akwa Ibom State in the National Assembly. In what many pundits have described as a desperate attempt to secure a second term ticket, Uwak resorted to using his Facebook wall to rain invectives on Governor Akpabio.
When my attention was initially drawn to his facile comments, I expressed doubts that a man of honourable esteem, like Robinson Uwak, will stoop so low. My doubt was dispelled when I actually confirmed the rants on his Facebook wall. In my rumination, I wondered what is honourable about a son who plays to strip his father before a partisan crowd. I pondered on how Uwak wants to earn political goodwill by insulting the office and person of his governor.
That my brother Uwak threw caution to the wind to denigrate and make public ridicule of the respect accorded him by Governor Godswill Akpabio, shows the height of disregard and contempt he holds against the State Governor who had, through a telephone conversation, invited him to discuss his grievances.
Like the proverbial man who tries to hide his face behind his thumb, Uwak believes, erroneously, that by casting slur on Governor Akpabio's unrivalled performance, his below par performance in the National Assembly will be canceled out.
Uwak, attempting to incite ethnic strife and exploit fault lines, alleged that Governor Akpabio hates Oro nation and has marginalized them in all ramifications with total neglect. He goes ahead to put down the pragmatic peoples' Governor, calling him "the Uncommon Transformer of Annang Land and parts of Uyo".
I had a good laugh when his hirelings, in cue like a choreographed ensemble, went wild with media blitz to hail Uwak as an Oron patriot and defender. I laughed uncontrollably because most of them are not from Oro nation. The few who are, no doubt, are those who subscribe to Uwak's crumbling private interest cloaked as good for the Oro peoples and their politics. I will explain.
Let me begin by stating that no leader in the world can ever complete or do everything in such a manner that there is nothing left to be done. That is why we all know that Government is a continuum. Chief Akpabio, by himself, does acknowledge this fact. Often times, he alludes to the truth that if Jesus Christ had finished everything there was to be done pertaining to the faith, pastors and other clergymen the world over would be useless in the present and future ages. Fact is that they are here with us because the harvest is plenty but the reapers are few.
Uwak has taken his grandstanding to another conceited and deceptive level. In order to prove his allegation against H. E. Governor Godswill Akpabio, he purportedly commissioned a documentary written and produced to spotlight only the downsides of Oro geophysical realities. While nobody denies that there are a few downsides, the problems and challenges that Governor Akpabio met on ground were enormous, are almost impossible to conceive because of sheer enormity. The incontrovertible fact remains that he has performed excellently for the entire state, and in particular moved the Oro nation forward. It is worrisome that Uwak conveniently ignored the goodies Governor Akpabio has delivered to Oro nation, but gloats in fault finding. This smacks of cheap politicking.
Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio, I must confess, deserves the appreciation and praise of every Oro man and, indeed, of the good people of Akwa Ibom. So much more, we should thank God Almighty; He granted us the blessing of such a leader who has earned world acclaim for his seven-star performance. When he came on board on May 29, 2007, his speech - A HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF ALL COMPONENTS OF THE STATE inspired hope and set the spirit and vision of his administration. Intent on developing all parts of the state and making government to work, Governor Akpabio adopted proper models for multi-sector development. By these arrangements and models, all the major sub-urban centres in the former divisions would be re-developed as the melting points of their catchment areas. Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan, Eket, Abak, Ikot Abasi and Oron became focal points.
Roads construction, which have taken a major leap in the Akpabio administration, were well spread. In that deliberate plan: Eket has 49 urban roads; Oron had 34; Ikot Abasi had 18; Abak had 19; and Etinan with a stretch of 18.6 kilometres of road constructed.
Since Oro nation is the issue, I want my brother, Hon. Uwak to dispute the fact that all the under listed road projects are not located there. The roads include:
ORON
1) a) The Construction of Etebi Ewang Road & Bridge 23km (ONGOING)
b) Etebi Ewang Bridge - 1.2km ( The longest bridge in Akwa Ibom State )
2) ( COMPLETED) Temporary Terminal building Ibom International Airport,
( ONGOING) Permanent terminal building Ibom International Airport in Okobo, Oro Nation
3) Renovated Iquita General Hospital Oron with living quarters for doctors fully equipped & furnished with 18 suites
4) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lot 1, Civic Center Road Spur Eyotong Road
5) Court Road,; 6) Isangedighi Street,; 7) Lawrence Etim Avenue
8) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lots 2 & 4 Anwana Mba Street,
9) Mount Zion Street, 10) Mainland Lane, Effiat Street; 11) Afaha Okpo Street,
Agric Lane; 12) Lot 4; Anamfa Street, 13) Okpo Edet- Aba Road, 14) Akilu Street,
15) Convent Road, 16) Ibo Street, 17) Asanwana Street, 18) Awolowo Street
19) Etim Inyang 1; 20) Udesi Street, 21) Uyo Oron Street; 22) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lots 3; 23) Esio Okwong Udo Avenue; 24)Hon. Martin Effiong Close; 25) New Police Station Road; 26) Obisung-Nduonyi Road; 27) Eyo, Ekerendu, Elei Street; 28) Etienam Street; 29) Uda Street,
30)Construction of Oron - Airport Diversion loops 2 ( Ikot Asua - Odobo Nung Atai) road - ( 8.3 km); 31) Construction of Oron road sect II from Mbiabong RR. IIto Airport - ( 21. 3 km); 32) Akan Street
33)Construction of Oron - Airport Diversion loops 2 ( Ikot Asua - Odobo Nung Atai) road - ( 8.3 km); 34) Construction of Oron road sect II from Mbiabong RR. IIto Airport - ( 21. 3 km) and 35) Azikiwe Street.
As we speak, over 27 or 80% of those roads in Oron axis have been completed and several inaugurated. Few others had design defects and are being re-constructed. If Uwak is not aware of this, then he has spent too much time in Abuja and on Facebook, his new home.
Naturally, Uyo as the capital city hosts a more significant chunk of the key projects which I will not bother to count. Nevertheless, Oron nation is host to the Ibom International Airport with a major road bypass criss-crossing Ikot Itie Idung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area and all the way to Okobo. That road was constructed by the administration to complement the airport which opens up the state in general, and Oron Federal Constituency in particular, to unprecedented opportunities on an international scale.
Eket Senatorial District can boast of a fair share of the Governor's midas touch. The Ibom Power Plant at Ikot Abasi, which he met at 65% completion level, was completed by Governor Akpabio. Eastern Obolo, since creation of the state, had her first ever State Government project, a world class General Hospital, completed by His Excellency Governor Akpabio. It also has several inter-ministerial projects scattered across her tough terrain.
We also note that the biggest gas processing plant in this part of the world has been completed at Uquo in Esit Eket, having 59 kilometres of gas pipeline feeding Ikot Abasi. It is awaiting inauguration by Mr President. Ibeno, which is a major oil hub, also has a first ever hospital constructed by the Governor Akpabio administration. We can also cite the ongoing dualization of Eket-Ibeno road as part of the Uncommon Transformer's signature project in Eket Senatorial District. How come the Governor is said to have only impacted on Uyo and Annang land by our brother?
Should we also remind Hon. Uwak that Governor Akpabio has pursued with zeal and passion the realization of the Ibaka deep seaport at Mbo? Although in the exclusive list of the Federal Government, the Akpabio administration has not relented effort in demonstrating political will, logistic or financial support to speed up its completion. Again, this is planned to be the hub of international business in the Gulf of Guinea and is one that will benefit the people of Oro nation the most. Yet, Governor Akpabio is not an Oro man, but a patriot and statesman in his thinking and vision.
The ambitious project of embarking on the longest bridge in the state at Okontighe across River Mbo was effected by Governor Akpabio. This project, Uwak knows, has always remained in the pipeline of successive administrations for over sixty years. But, Uwak will not acknowledge the large heartedness of the governor to pull it off. Our people in Mbo and Oro nation, who will benefit from that landmark, celebrate this great achiever.
It beats my imagination that Hon. Uwak is unaware of the 483 inter-ministerial projects executed and inaugurated, with an additional 157 ongoing projects across Oro nation. These include classroom blocks, mini water schemes, electricity projects, health centres among others. Many more are currently in progress.
He may also be unaware that Iquita General Hospital was one of the secondary healthcare facilities to be completed courtesy of the Uncommon Transformer of Annang Land and Uyo. That hospital and its 18 blocks for House Officers are not in Annang land, but were constructed by the Governor Akpabio administration in Oro nation.
Can we deny that our own people also executed the Inter-Ministerial contracts and were thus empowered by the Akpabio administration? Can I add that over two billion Naira worth of projects are involved in these transactions?
If Governor Akpabio has neglected Oro nation, his political patronage ought to reflect something other than what we know. Oron nation have produced two Ministers of the Federal Republic through Governor Akpabio. Prof. Ita Okon Ewa was Honourable Minister of Science and Technology and, currently, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi is the Honourable Minister of Housing.
At every point in this administration since 2007, the five local Governments of Oro nation, in a state with 31 Council areas, fill three slots with Honourable Commissioners. The three Commissioners now in service are: Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim (Justice and Attorney General); Prof. Alice Antai (Education); and Mr Ante Oquong (Economic Development). There was also the Late Pastor Oyong Asuquo and Chief Victor Iyanam who served as Commissioners in key ministries. So, what is Akpabio's sin against the Oro nation? None whatsoever!
The Chairman of the Governing Board of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Eminue, and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, are both of Oro extraction. Even the pioneer bursar of the new Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, is not Annang but from Oro nation that has its fair share of political appointments as do other parts of the State.
Oron nation’s quest to be included and recognized as an oil producing area got its most significant endorsement from Governor Akpabio. For the first time ever, an Oro son, Etim Inyang jnr. was appointed Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Board. For the ongoing National Conference at Abuja, Her Excellency Mrs Atim Okpoyo, Chief Okon Osung - Chairman of Oro Think Tank and Dr Uyot were nominated by the governor as members of the state delegation to the confab. Should we remind Uwak that all these do not smack of neglect of a people?
Should we also inform him that the failed portions of the federal Oron/Uyo road is receiving due intervention from Governor Akpabio who deployed Nigerpet Construction Company to reclaim the area while awaiting Federal input? Has he forgotten that the Akpabio administration has acquired and paid compensation for land in order to expand the Maritime Academy, Oron that is bidding to obtain a degree awarding university status from the Federal Government? Is Oro nation left out of the Free and Compulsory Education programme up to Senior Secondary level put in place by the Akpabio administration? Uwak should please answer these questions.
My submission, therefore, is that Governor Akpabio has taken keen interest in the overall development of the State without leaving out even the remotest part. I have a deep sense of gratitude to a man who has significantly altered our perception and definition of politics, while engaging first class good governance methods.
Uwak's resort to open letters and Facebook war is not only laced with mischief, but skewed with prejudice and political treachery. Governor Akpabio has done his best within consideration of competing challenges across the state and limit of resources available to him. What is left is for all persons in Oro nation, and Akwa Ibom as a whole, to pray earnestly that God should give us a worthy successor who will continue from where Governor Akpabio's tenure ends, who will sustain his passion and drive for comprehensive development of all parts of the State and even surpass his legacies. Governor Akpabio does not deserve Uwak's vainglorious war of playing to the gallery. We are not amused, fooled or blindfolded by his antics.
Finally, let me remind my brother, Hon. Uwak, that if he believes the lie that abusing Governor Akpabio on pages of newspapers, electronic or social media platforms will guarantee him a second term ticket, which is his real target, then he has taken a walk into darkness. One does not have to destroy others in a bid to succeed.
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