The challenges before Gov. Udom Emmanuel

 

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

Friday at last marked the official beginning of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration after months and weeks of preparing to take over. The Akwa Ibom International Stadium was filled up with Akwa Ibomites, visitors and fans from all walks of life who came out to identify with the new governor on his feat. Sequel to this official handing over of power, it is necessary to beam searchlights on perceived areas needing improvement even though the agenda of this consolidator has been drawn already.

So far, leadership in a democratic system of government especially, has often been a game of interest where the leader’s public and private interest is prioritized against that of others, including the predecessors. This is perhaps the reason for the old-time phrase ‘Soldier go, Soldier come’ and truly, no Soldier comes in with the intent of continuing from where his predecessor stopped. They are all out to achieve their own mandate and what they assume to be good enough for the military, themselves and never the civilians. Similarly, leaders are known to ignore or halt completely the projects of preceding governments which they consider to be unworthy of their investment, not good enough and even unachievable. This unhealthy norm is what has slowed down development in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State.

It is important for any leader to know that what is expected of them from those they govern is more of the continuity of a good government or the portrayal of a better one if the former was not good enough hence, before they begin to map out virgin strategies, they must look at the unfinished projects of the outgone government that are worth consolidating and plan towards their execution.  

From time immemorial, there have been several reforms and programmes put forward by governments to better the lot of Nigerians in all sectors of the economy. Though these moves have been in the right steps, the reforms can neither be termed successful or a failure because some of them were abandoned halfway, calling to question the real intention of the governments which introduced them. It is such uncoordinated approach to change management that has made Nigerians resistant to change and reform programmes as well. It can as well be concluded that such reform programmes were only used to siphon public funds. For instance, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) programme started by the Buhari/Idiagbon government was cancelled when Ibrahim Babangida took over as Military Head of State. His government replaced the WAI with what he called Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) as part of his social re-engineering process. This was also affected when Sanni Abacha took over. His government dropped MAMSER for National Orientation Agency (MOA). Subsequently, Obasanjo’s government carried on from where the previous had stooped and introduced the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) which was long buried even before he stepped down; the trend continued. So far, the situation has not been any different. Back home in Akwa Ibom State, the story is not entirely different as the permanent halt of the Ibom Science Park still poses a strong question on people’s minds. 

All these are matters which have kept us redundant and tired of campaign promises which many consider as empty. The issue therefore is for our new Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to re-examine the unfinished projects of the past governments which are substantial and public-oriented and strive towards actualizing them. One of such is the problem of unemployment.

Even though it has been pronounced severally that this government will be favorable to the unemployed, it is important to make a few observations. It is no news that the number of people who are qualified and willing to work but do not have such opportunity outnumbers those who are unqualified, unwilling to work but are gainfully employed. Yearly, the number of people who lack jobs increases with the number of graduates from higher institutions with some taking to self-employment and others resolving to do meager jobs. Sometimes, those who are lucky to find good jobs are not paid their brains worth and this kills the spirit of workmanship. There is no gain saying that the state and country as a whole is well vested in the hands of experienced and skilled leaders when the upcoming leaders of tomorrow who have acquired newer knowledge are not given the platform to showcase their skills which are contemporary and would be of more benefit to nation-building. What we rather have are tired brains who do not have much to offer the state not to mention their areas of jurisdiction.  This accounts for the tales of fraud and misdemeanor in those areas. 

Whereas, those who have spent years in reputable institutions, learning and studying the technicalities of their prospective careers are roaming the streets and doing meager jobs, our leaders have refused to exit the scene for the younger generation to practice their knowledge. They rather would prefer using ghost workers to swindle salaries that would have been set aside for job creation. Others falsify their age to remain in office longer than when due while some sell out vacant positions to those who can afford to pay for it in cash or kind. These are the issues which drive our graduates into illegal and demeaning acts such as prostitution, armed robbery and etc. This government should therefore critically strategize on how to correct these ills so that normalcy can be restored to the system. Our workforce should majorly comprise youths whose vigor and strength will fasten and increase the pace of economic growth, not aged old men and women who have lost the zeal for work and are ignorant of the growing trends in their areas of jurisdiction. Plans should be made to revamp the agricultural sector and other lucrative sectors of the economy for the good of Akwaibomites and employment programs as well as skill acquisition should also be organized for youths alongside capital, resources and financial aid. 

Also, insecurity has been a fellow scourge hindering the development of Akwa Ibom State. Available data on the level and dimensions of insecurity in the state reveals an increase overtime which constitutes serious threats to lives and properties; hinders business activities and discourages local and foreign investors, all which stifles and retards the states’ socio-economic development. The rising wave of insecurity especially during election and campaign periods has not abated but assumed a dangerous dimension which is threatening the corporate existence of the state as one geographical entity. It is the inability of government to provide a secure and safe environment for lives, properties and the conduct of business and economic activities that has led to resentment and disaffection among ethnic groups which has resulted in ethnic violence, communal clashes, destruction of lives and properties; disrupted businesses, economic and development activities in Akwa Ibom State. No investor, whether local or foreign will be motivated to invest in an unsafe and insecure environment and particularly, we have been badly affected severally. Social tension, dislocation and disruption of family and communal life; general atmosphere of mistrust, fear, anxiety, and frenzy; dehumanization of women, children and men; increased security spending by business organizations and the likes have been the consequences. In the light of the above, this government must be proactive in dealing with security issues and threats, through modern methods of intelligence gathering and sharing among security personnel, training, logistics, motivation and deploying advanced technologies in managing security challenges. No longer should journalists be victims of kidnap, assassination, and unlawful detention and this applies to public office holders, aspirants and truthsayers. Cases of unidentified gunmen, unknown assassins and the likes breaking into people’s privacy and carrying out their set objectives without being apprehended or hunted by security agents should be a thing of the past and not a continuing norm. 

Another issue to be dealt with is that of ethnicity which is equally torn Akwa Ibom into a battle field. The relationship between members of the three ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State is apparently characterized by suspicion, distrust, lack of cordiality and fear. This challenge is traceable to the inability of leaders to distribute state resources and power equitably. Other causes are accusation and allegation, exploitation, victimization, discrimination, marginalization, nepotism and bigotry. This unfortunately has been brought into our social activities, relationship with others and our general disposition towards them such that recruitment into some workplaces and organizations, promotion, appointment and even marriage has become a matter of where one comes from. These ethnic identities have become disintegrative and destructive social elements threatening the peace, stability and security in the State. It is believed that the already visible gap among these ‘Big Three’ will be bridged by this government.  

After 28 years of statehood, Akwa Ibom cannot proudly say it has gone beyond the rubicon. We rank low in all socio-economic indicators such as life expectancy, poverty, crime rate and still carry the tag of a developing state. We are a classic illustration of an oxymoron, a poor state in the midst of abundant human and natural resources (courtesy of our corrupt leaders’ excessive desire for our collective wealth). No state or nation can achieve socio-economic development in an environment of social and physical insecurity, tribalism and unemployment. This increasing challenge of insecurity has been linked to failure of leadership to deliver good governance and secure the welfare of persons on the principles of freedom, equality and justice.   

Since socio-economic development is the primary goal of every well-meaning government and is essentially dependent on the level of economic activities in a country, security should be a priority on this government’s agenda. In the absence of security, development of any kind cannot be sustained as it destroys economic, human and social capital. The real solution therefore lies in accelerating the pace of economic development through creating a safe economy with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure to support business and industrial growth.