Bassey Albert: A project manager with depth and vibrancy BY PROMISE ETIM

Sustainability and Utilization of resources is a function of effective management. For resources to be efficiently managed to yield increased productivity and continued availability, the services of Project Managers are required to ensure accountability, credibility and consistency. A project manager initiates, plans, executes, monitors, controls and gives tentative feedback to relevant stakeholders of a project. These are some of the sterling qualities of Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, the young, energetic and resourceful Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for finance. The 41 year old as a modern politician has contributed immensely to the success of the Governor Akpabio led administration.

When Governor Akpabio took over leadership of the state in 2007, fears that development may not be felt in rural areas because of continued neglect of locals were predominant together with increased dilapidation of few available social amenities in remote areas. These and many more were reasons why Governor Akpabio established the inter-ministerial direct labour coordinating committee. As commissioner for finance, Mr. Albert was asked to coordinate affairs of the committee in line with the uncommon transformation agenda of the state. 

Gov. Akpabio and the masses as major stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project were eager to witness transformation of the state from rural to urban centers for the people to witness true dividend of democracy.  Mr. BasseyAlbert’s duty as project manager was to serve as a mediator between stakeholders and end users. The challenge has been challenging and rewarding. The result of his stewardship and commitment caught my attention when the people of Akwa Ibom poured encomiums on the Chief Akpabio led administration during the recent town hall meetings and commissioning of over 5,000 projects across ten federal constituencies of the state.

As a project manager, risk bearing is one of the fundamentals of success. Mr. Bassey Albert utilized the experience he garnered over the years as top managing staff in different financial institutions to manage risks involved in execution of projects under the committee by instituting a progress based payment model for service providers. In the banking sector, the major risk involved has to do with liabilities and assets, while that of Government and administrative setting is to manage people. 

His human resource management proficiency has been linked to his focus in the banking industry for over a decade, where he managed over three hundred capacity building assets with efficient service delivery. A good project manager develops capacity to manage resources with limited or no incentives. Mr. Bassey Albert demonstrated such qualities when he managed over fifteen branches of a financial institution across the South-South Geo-Political zone of the country. 

Mr. Bassey Albert is visionary, organized, efficient, honest, reliable, possesses high communication skills. He is action oriented, vested with leadership flair, experienced and knowledgeable. These are some outstanding attributes of a good project manager. 

He demonstrated his risk management expertise when he crossed miles of water to visit a project site in a remote village in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. Before the visit of the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, the area witness mild Government presence since inception of Akwa Ibom in 1987.  Mr. Bassey Albert integrated his project management skills and negotiated for a peaceful completion of projects undertaken by the Akpabio led administration in the area.

While stakeholders were busy providing the much needed fund, Mr. Bassey Albert has directly been engaged in research and development to meet deadlines set by stakeholders. He successfully developed a model capable of answering the 4W question of When, Where, What and Who before initiating any project under the committee. These ensured no repetition of projects and adequate placement of projects where needed. 

Mr. Bassey Albert fancies a matrix organizational structure for day to day running of affairs of the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, where all functional managers are allowed to perform numerous tasks irrespective of job specifications. Members of the committee exhibit distinctive teamwork potentials to consolidate the magnanimous qualities of their leader. These has been the reason behind effective actualization of the uncommon transformation agenda of Governor Godswill Akpabio as they have recorded no abandoned project since inauguration of the committee.

A good project manager must be vast and detailed. Mr. Bassey Albert as Chairman of the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Committee has visited many areas in the state. As one with a listening ear, he relay messages from the masses to the principal on issues relating to rural development. Mr. Bassey Albert as a proficient manager with verve and vibrancy successfully identifies key areas of need of the people and make recommendations to relevant stakeholders for implementation of the people’s demand. 

For the past seven years as commissioner for finance and Chairman Akwa Ibom state /Local Government derivation committee, he has selected appropriate processes required to meet project objectives by using defined approach to meet stakeholder’s expectations and balance the competing demands of scope, time, quality, resources and risk to produce specified products, services and results. 

 Mr. Bassey Albert Commands authority, Possess quick sifting abilities, knows what to note and what to ignore, ask good questions and listen to stakeholders. He hardly sees information as a weapon or means of control, but adheres to predictable communication schedules. His self reliance and confidence showcases independent and fair consensus-building skills when conflict arises. As a source of inspiration to many, he relies on extensive informal networks inside and outside his work base structure to solve problems that arises and shows absolute commitment to work.

His contributions to the management of state resources endeared his kingsmen to honour him with the title “Enin Ibiono Ibom” in 2009. This was further consolidated with the award of Chieftaincy Title of “Obong Uforo Akwa Ibom State” by the Paramount Ruler of Etinan, His Majesty Edidem Dickson Umoette. 

The wealth of experience gathered by Mr. Bassey Albert over the years cannot be ignored at a glance. His thrust can numerically be analyzed to make predictions for the future by using available and relevant data. From a political stand point, a project manager is seen as a technocrat who helps in developing and realizing the goals of Governance. 

With the rapid transformation witnessed in the state in recent times, it is imperative to note that qualities of Mr. Bassey Albert will be very defining in the New Akwa Ibom. As a project manager vested with skills and resources, he has been tipped to be a realistic team player in the next political dispensation as a result of his undisputed loyalty to the current administration. 

For project “Akwa Ibom” to maximally attain its set goals, noble sons and daughter of the state like Mr. Bassey Albert should be encouraged to activate more effective management models for continued transformation and sustenance of our democracy. He is a delight to integrate without a differential constant.