ACA SECRETARY SCORES UDOM HIGH ON BOARD APPOINTMENTS Hails appointees

The Eket Chapter Secretary of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance, ACA Chief Usoro Usoro has scored Governor Udom Emmanuel high on his recent constitution of Boards and commissions. He described the caliber of men and women in the parastatals and commissions as people of high intellect and integrity. Usoro stated this in a chat with newsmen in Eket recently. 

He said, Gov Emmanuel has shown by his recent appointments in boards that he is a listening and considerate leader. He has also shown that he recognizes and rewards genuine contributions and hard work. This is commendable as it will spur more people to do more to support this administration. It will also give confidence to the citizenry that the government is not only working but listening. Moreover, it will take the heat off the governor as people will now know who to contact for what and where to go to get attention for certain immediate concerns. 

I am particularly pleased with the appointment of Bishop Andrew Uwanta, Elder Sunny Akpadiaha, Hon Imoh Udobia and Mrs. Mandu Abia. The afore- mentioned as well as others played key roles in mobilizing and sensitizing people towards the eventual success of PDP at the last polls. While Akpadiaha is a walking encyclopedia in civil service administration, his appointment is even more merited because of his involvement and contribution to the success of PDP/Udom campaign in Eket and Akwa Ibom in general. He is a round peg in a round hole. I believe this credible appointment will help revitalize and reposition Akwa Ibom civil service for the betterment of the state. 

Similarly, Uwanta's well-known marshalling of ACA, one of the mobilization groups that aided the succsess, also deserved a commensurate reward. He and other very unassuming actors like Udobia,  etc were great mobilizers. Their recognition and appointments serve to give hope to others who exhibiting continuous conviction, commitment and support for this government. Going through the list, it is clear that at least 80% of the appointees merited the gesture because of their individual or group commitments and involvement in the process that enthroned the Emmanuel administration.

It could be recalled that recently, Usoro Usoro had poured encomiums on the Governor over his handling of the affairs of the state. He spoke on the economy and said, Akwa Ibom is greatful to Udom for prudent manager of resources. In his words, “It is true that the economy is bad and the country is working a tight rope. It is a global thing. So, if the governor says there is no money, he is not lying.  No government will deliberately set out to fail, not with his enviable pedigree as a foremost financial expert. 

Still, those who think the administration of Udom is not working must be living outside the shores of this planet. You need to go to other places and see things for yourself. Everything, even Britain has been affected by the economic downturn. What matters, however, is how well a leader manages the meagre resources at his disposal. That is why I thank Gov Udom Emmanuel who was made for a time like this. He is a round peg in a round hole. We wouldn’t have had any better manager of state funds at this time than we now have in Emmanuel.

Let me tell you something, the governor ought to be commended for his proactive approach to economic management of state resources. A man who thinks out of the box, who plans even with the meagre funds he gets must be a prudent manager. And it is not surprising because his experience in financial crises management was one of the things that recommended him for the job as governor. The government has done well and deserves our commendation”.

Speaking further, Usoro who served former Governor Akpabio as the CPS stated that, Udom has sustained the free and compulsory Education policy of the last administration, he is still working all projects that former Governor Godswill Akpabio embarked upon, he is still in the business of empowering people and turning boys into men. He has sustained the peaceful atmosphere Akwa Ibom State is known for. He is presently through many organs of Government creating employment for the people of the state. The list is endless. Roads are being constructed and opened up into the villages.

I am particularly pleased with the proposed projects the Governor is considering for Akwa Ibom People, Electricity meter Production Company as well as refinery meant for Eket Federal Constituency. Those are very significant because it is expected that the University will provide targeted skilled manpower for the strategic utility companies.

You see, having worked with another performer, I mean former Gov Akpabio, I believe Gov Emmanuel must have imbibed the techniques of even resources allocation. He also seems to have learnt the need to impact on his immediate constituency that produced the governor, while also striking a balance in trying to satisfy other segments of the state. 

Today, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District is a model because Senator Akpabio showed the way in effective and impactful governance to his core constituency. Yes, he also ensured that other areas were not neglected. When Obong Attah was in power, Uyo Senatorial District came top in his agenda. So, though Gov Emmanuel is spreading attention to other areas of the state, it is not out of place for him to develop his core senatorial district more.