AKHA backs Enobong Uwah

BY OSONDU AHIRIKA

On November 25,  2015,  the  Honourable  Com missioner for Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal, Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Prince Enobong Uwah, led his Permanent Secretary, Dr Mrs Valerie Obot and Staff of the ministry to host August Visitors. 

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Lands and Housing arrived the hitherto abandoned complex of the defunct 10th Anniversary Hotel for an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing massive renovation going on at the site, carried out by russian construction giant TUNALUM NIG.LTD 

It was a formidable team. Led by the Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ini State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, other members of the committee in tow, include, the member representing  Mbo State Constituency, ,Hon. Samuel Ufuo, his Uruan counterpart, Hon. Aniekan Bassey, member representing Uyo, Uyo, Hon Monday Eyo, the representative for Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Rt.Hon. Uduak Odudoh and other key officers of the committee including Mr Mbosowo Asuquo, Press Secretary to the Speaker, AKHA.

Before conducting the House Committee on a facility tour of the giant edifice, Commissioner Uwah stated that,  his Ministry has been re-engineered for quick performance to meet up with the ideal of prompt and quality housing delivery.

The Commissioner observed that, with the progress of work recorded so far, completion is most likely to beat the deadline given to the Ministry by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Commissioner Uwah revealed that, Governor Udom Emmanuel, gave a four month time frame  to the Ministry to convert  the over 15 years uncompleted hotel building to an office complex to accommodate at least 3 major ministries and 4 agencies/ departments of Government. Uwah said, with what has been accomplished just within two months, the work at almost 75% completion, is left at the level of fixtures. 

The mini high rise building, reconstructed to accommodate the ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Works and others according to the Commissioner has 400 office spaces, three major conference halls, over 30 conveniences, a studio, safety clinic, a V.I.P canteen and staff canteen.

To prevent the work suffering setbacks as a result of the effects of the present economic realities, Commissioner Uwah said the reconstruction work is executed through direct labour, with sound financial engineering to enable government to prudently manage her resources and see to the completion of the work within, and hopefully before stipulated timeframe.

Affirming the professional  strength of the states’ Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal to supervise and ensure quality and prompt delivery, the Commissioner said the Ministry is enriched with professionals who can be entrusted with any magnitude of Housing project. 

Prince Uwah revealed that, with the quality of architects, surveyors, engineers, town planners and other professional staff that enrich his Ministry, they have begun to open up to private developers for commercial
Consultancy and engagement on whatever structure or building there is to construct. Prince Uwah said, this was a new policy direction, so that, the Ministry can generate revenue to Government coffers.  

Prince Uwah also thanked Governor Emmanuel, for the project which he said, being well thought out, has offered meaningful employment to hundreds of people, and will ultimately save Government considerable funds, used to pay for rented apartments housing some government ministries and agencies.
Speaking on the purpose for the visit, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ekpenyong, said in furtherance of their constitutionally prescribed oversight function over the Executive,  the committee came to see for themselves, the level of progress in the ongoing renovation of the project. 

Hon. Ekpenyong  expressed satisfaction given the level of work so far done, maintaining that, the quality speaks for itself.  He assured the Ministry staff and management of the Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Uko led State Legislatures’ support for the  completion of the project. The Committee Chairman, while commending Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for his vision in ordering the rehabilitation of the 10th Anniversary Hotel building and converting it to a Secretariat,  onbehalf of the House Committee, lauded Prince Enobong Uwah for repositioning the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal in so short a time. He noted that, Prince Uwah hasa replicated excellence in performance as he did in his previous post, being, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources in the immediate past administration. Hon. Ekpenyong disclosed that, the Akwa Ibom House of Asasembly is proud of Prince Uwah and expressed confidence in his ability to do more in the service of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom state.

That eulogy was not just for the fun of it or mere flattery. It was not a mere co-incidence that, later, that very day,

Commissioner Uwah bagged an Award for Excellent Public Service from E4 PLUS, a specialized media organization in the state during their maiden Dinner/Award Night held at the Uyo Local Government Council Hall. This came as a second, having earlier bagged an Award for Excellent Performance as erstwhile Commissioner for Environment from The Radar Newspaper during the Annual Lecture/Award ceremony for 2015 held in August. That(Radar Award) was significant, for he was no longer in the Environment Ministry, but had ended his service there. 

Howbeit, the Publisher of The Radar Newspaper, Otuekong Franklyn Isong explained that, Prince Uwah deserved the Award given his lasting legacies such as the Green Brigade and how he revolutionized waste management and environmental safety during his stint in charge.

Down memory lane, it could be recalled, Prince Uwah was magnanimously re-appointed Commissioner and sworn in by Governor Emmanuel on July 7, 2015. On July 8, he resumed joining the Ministry staff in a solemn Assembly.
His first official act was to kneel and pray, committing his tenure to the Almighty for grace, wisdom and direction. He pledged to redirect the ministry, reinforce her relevance to the sustainable development agenda of Governor Emmanuel and reposition her as one of the reference points in terms of efficiency in this dispensation. That task, is on course.

In a record 78 days, the Ministry under his astute management was rejigged to deliver a brand new Gynecology block, in honour of famous missionary, Dr Ann Ward and rehabilitation of two administrative blocks, as well as the fence of the St Luke’s Hospital Anua.

The project was timeously inaugurated by Governor emmanuel as part of his 100 Days in office activities.

Today, the magnificence and lost glory o St Luke’s Hospital is restored. All thanks to Governor Emmanuel and his Commissioner, Uwah, who mobilized the Ministry for prompt delivery.

The current conversion of the 10th Anniversary Hotel project commenced on September 26, 2015 with a four month timeline to conclude work. But as it stands, Prince Uwah and his wards look set to beat that deadline with some weeks to spare. 

In his usual all action, no-holds-barred style, Uwah opens work on site and closes there late in the night every day. He has relocated his office and staff to the site for all hands on the deck delivery. This is motivational and innovative leadership in practice. He has inspired his staff to dakkada indeed, in keeping with the new philosophy and spirit of the times to arise and shine.

As I wind this piece up, permit a rewind to the House Committee visit. Giving a vote of thanks, the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Information, Rt.Hon.Barr. Ime Okon, thanked the commissioner for the level of work done and also commended the governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel for taking a bold step in making sure that a place which was turned to hideout for miscreants is rebranded for viable use.

The Ibiono Ibom born lawmaker also assured the commissioner of the support of the Assembly in case of any challenge. He said, they were collectively satisfied with what is happening in the Ministry adding that, such progress report with enthuse the State House of Assembly and will receive their nod. Prince Uwah has proven again, that service is about commitment, selflessness, absolute loyalty, sacrifice, integrity and leadership by example. Here is a man, interpreting accurately, the vision of his boos, His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for Akwa Ibom State in the Housing and urban renewal sector.