SEVEN YEARS OF UNCOMMON TRANSFORMATION DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE As Nigeria celebrates 15 years of uninterrupted democracy,on May 29, 2014 , Akwa Ibom celebrates seven years of Uncommon Transformation ,celebrating revolutionary leadership that has not only fit perfectly into the psychological reorientation of all the cleavages in the state but has articulated a golden path to the Nigerian dream. In analyzing the journey so far in a special thanksgiving service at the at Living Faith Church (also known as Winners Chapel), Ikot Ebido in Uyo, to commemorate 2014 Democracy Day and seven years of his administration. In Governor Akpabios words “After seven years of God’s grace and faithfulness to us as a state, what can we say but to say thank you Lord! That is why I called you to for this uncommon service, in an uncommon place, in the land of uncommon transformation. Seven years ago we started a journey and we said let God’s will be done. Seven years after, even the blind can fill it that God’s will is done in our dear state,It is time for us to begin to distinguish between politics and governance because they are not the same thing,” Interestingly, the most compelling reasons for revolution throughout the ages were injustice, crushing poverty, marginalisation, rampant corruption, lawlessness, joblessness, and general disaffection with the ruling elite, but today With the advent of the Akpabio led administration the people have acknowledged openly, the people oriented ,all inclusive and Transcendental governance they have experienced. As Usual we embarked on a fact finding journey to have a heart to heart talk with the people of Akwa Ibom and without fear of favour, the people expressed heartfelt joy as they have witnessed the uncommon transformation in the state . They say , In celebrating democracy day ,we are not just wallowing in murky waters of what appears like democracy that does not represent the people, a charade or sham meant only to serve gluttonous appetite against the interest of the deprived who have now gone depraved on account of hunger, academic flaccidity and moral deficit,but the true dividends of democracy which include : Free and Compulsory Education : -Akwa Ibom children of school age, now go to school free from Primary to Senior Secondary School level. The State pays a subvention of N100 per Primary school pupil and N300per Secondary School student to cater for logistics and expenses for the administration of each child. -Massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools’ blocks, provision of Science and Laboratory equipment, construction of hostels and supply of desks etc. Plus the Payment of SSCE -WAEC and NECO fees for all students in Public Secondary Schools. That also includes payment of NABTEB fees for all students in Public Technical Colleges. -Procurement and distribution of science equipment and materials to public secondary schools across the State, as well as the implementation of the 27 percent new TSS for teachers. -Payment of grant to law students, pre-medical and medical students as well as provision of Laptops to all law students in the 2008/2009 batch of the Nigeria Law School . -Provision of facilities and construction of internal roads in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University and the Polytechnic Ikot Osurua. Not forgetting the Construction of the ultra modern e-library which was conceived and executed to serve as a reference centre for researchers and set the stage for the growth of virtual education. In a bid to encouraging science studies as the pivot for technological development, government now provides free textbooks in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematic and Integrated Science (N200,000 each). Road Infrastructure: Born out of the realization that good roads network is a critical foundation for an emerging industrial economy during the seven years of the present administration, more than 350 roads covering over 1500 kilometres have been constructed. These include; federal roads and other inter and intra-city roads across the three senatorial districts of the state. Julius Berger, Setraco, Stemco, Gitto alongside Indigenous Companies were in to handle the construction of these roads, plus the installation of modern digital traffic lights in Uyo through the Uyo Urban renewal and regeneration project. dual carriageways for all roads into Uyo: Ekom Iman - Ekit Itam road , Ekom Iman - Abak road, Airport road , Abak - Ikot Ekpene road, Uyo- Ikot Ekpene - Aba road , Eket - Ibeno road , Uyo- Etinan - Eket road , Aka- NungUdoe road, etc Equally, collapsed concrete bridges at Ikot Abiaenyie , Utu Nsehe, mbiokporo 1 & 11 ( eyie asana ) , Etim Ekpo, Ete Ebi Enwang , Ukpom , suspended bridge at Abak, Enen Nsit (3) , Ikot Okoro, Ukanafun, Use Ikot Amama , Ntak Inyang etc. and the longest bridge in Nigeria the Etebi -Enwang bridge which is still under construction, In addition to more than 28 bridges constructed , Akwa Ibom state can now boast of its 1st set of flyovers (4 in nos) to ease the flow of traffic,as well as the procurement of 1 grader each for the 31 LGAs of the State to ensure periodic maintenance of rural roads. Healthcare: -Provision of free healthcare for children (five years and under), expectant mothers and the elderly. -Construction of a world class Specialist Hospital at Ekit Itam –275- bed Ibom Specialist Hospital -Donation of N50million to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and building of a pediatrics block, -Building of an oxygen plant at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, the first in the history of the State -Activation and expansion of 8 Anti-Retroviral therapy centers, 15 prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) centers and 37 HIV counseling and testing centers. All rendering free services -Procurement and commissioning of State-of-the-art ambulances -Construction of new PHCs in the three (3) Senatorial Districts of the State Procurement of utility vehicles to 159 doctors in the State government employ to facilitate their transportation -Construction of Cottage Hospitals in Essien Udim, Ibeno, Ukanafun, Eastern Obolo and Ika -High immunization coverage to eradicate polio and all other childhood killer diseases -Provision of counterpart funding for all health programmes by donor organization like UNICEF, UNFPA, Operation Roll Back Malaria and HIV/AIDs World Bank Assisted Programme. Energy infrastructure : -Gas processing plants with 69km of Gas Pipeline -installation of a 132/11KV transformer as well as the construction of a 45km – 132 KV “double circuit” power evacuation line from Ikot Abasi to Eket substation. -The launch of a massive rural electrification project under the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Programme in which case the comprehensive rural electrification scheme has linked an additional 1,500 communities to the national grid through 800 electricity projects. This clearly accentuates that The present administration has achieved 85 percent electricity coverage, from the 35 percent as at 2007. - Ibom Power Plant located near the Aluminum Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, which has its own power plant that can generate 685 megawatts, Over 85% of the State has been linked to the National grid, while full electrification of Akwa Ibom State is expected before 2015. The second phase of the Ibom Power Project is planned to generate 500MW that will feed the national grid through a transmission line to Afam sub-station. Already, the state has obtained electricity generating license. Akwa Ibom International Airport: The 3.6km runway is the longest in the country and is equipped with the latest aviation technologies, by global standards, had commenced daily commercial flights to Lagos and Abuja and international flight (i.e. the airlift of Christians on pilgrimage to the holy land) operations since 2009. This World class airport is designed to provide both passenger and cargo services as it can handle wide-body Boeing 747 aircraft. The Airport is about 30 km from the city center, interestingly the newest and most modern airport in Nigeria. A Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility is being built as part of the facilities. The government is in discussions with international investors on the management of the facility. The National Hanger/ Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities are nearing completion, while Work has commenced on the building of the state-of-the-art main terminal building of the airport and another taxiway. So far the airport has become the fastest growing in the history of aviation in Nigeria. Ibom International Airport is first of its kind in West and Central Africa strategically located to serve the commercial interest of the Gulf of Guinea and big revenue earner for the state. Housing and Urban Renewal: • State-of the-art Governor’s Lodge complex completed within 16 months State- of the art deputy govenors lodge • 310 prime-unit mini estates at 10 per local government in all the local government areas mainly for local government chieftains. The project is undertaken through the State/Local Government Joint Account Committee. • First class banquet hall at the Government House • Housing over 2,000 units built in Eket, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene • Remodeling of Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Urban city The government has also constructed the first in Africa underground drainage project using the pipe- jacking technology at Itam , Uyo and Abak. Built a brand new Federal Prison and correctional centre Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre : Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre was created in the image of Sun City of South Africa and the famous Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, USA. The center, which is a modern leisure and business resort, is already creating job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths of the State. While the 6-screen Cineplex has commenced operation. Other components of the project, which sits on a landmass of 82 hectares are: • A shopping mall with 59 standard shops, and 2 Bank service corridors. • An Ultra modern convention centre with a multi-floor capacity of 5000 • A 14 storey five star hotel with 250 exquisite rooms. • A Theme Park with various dry and wet rides/attractions covering an area of 3 hectares. Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort: The Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort has over 150 rooms. It has become one of the choice conference centers in Nigeria and has the best golf course in Africa, according to the World’s leading golf magazine, Golf Weekly. In the words of Governor Godswill Akpabio I believe in continuity, when I came in I started to complete a lot of the ongoing projects that I met on ground. I completed the Le Meridien Hotel. I re-grassed and completed the golf course. I brought in international managers from London called IMG to manage the golf course. Today it is one of the best golf courses in Africa hosting international competitions. Sports Development: -Rehabilitation of the Uyo Township Stadium -Construction of a 30,000 capacity international stadium that is complete with a comprehensive sports park with up-to-date outdoor and indoor sports facilities, outdoor and indoor facilities. Communication Infrastructure: -acquisition and establishment of a hi-tech Chroma Studio capable of handling standard television production. -procurement and commissioning of a digital ultra-modern OB van for Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC and acquisition of the state- of - the -art transmitters for AKBC radio -Construction of an international press centre and procurement of a Goss Community Printing Press capable of producing 35,000 impressions per hour (IPH) for Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation (AKNC) publishers of The Pioneer Newspapers -Procurement of a twenty seven work station media centre and citizen feedback centre installed with modern electronic gadgets and internet facilities for communication and sharing of information by civil servants, journalist, students and the general public. -Donation of laptop computers for journalism practice The information machinery of the state has been given further verve with the Sponsorship of the uncommon transformation Tv series, on all national Tv networks a corporate communication aspect of the Akwa Ibom state government , with a robust and interactive state web site, akwaibomstate.gov.ng, uncommontransformation.tv, that ensures prompt and real time information delivery on policies, and programmes of the Governor Akpabio-led administration which has enabled the citizenry to key into the vision of the administration and participate in the art of governance. Security: The Akwa Ibom security success story is not a story that is far- fetched. The state has recorded Improved security,with the Formation of the joint security task force, codenamed Aduma; Training seminars/ workshop for security personnel; -Procurement of over 90 Hilux patrol vehicles for Aduma and the police for pre-emptive operations against violent crimes in the state; Equipping of security agencies with modern gadgets; Aggressive mobilization of traditional rulers in the security of their domains; -Provision of Armored Personnel Carriers and support to gunboats operation in the coastal areas; Logistics support to security agencies, especially the anti-kidnapping squad. -Introduction of a new security task force code-named Robot with Robot formations I, II, III; Change of nomenclature and reinvigoration of Aduma to Operation Thunder; -Formation of another security outfit – Quick Response Squad to beef security patrol in the state. Agriculture: -Training and empowerment of over 4000 youths with half a million Naira each under the integrated farmers scheme . -Training and empowerment of 4500 women with the sum of 250,000 each for commercial agriculture under the women in Agriculture project ( WAEDEP) -Distribution of 22 Tractors for farm operations -Distribution of modern fishing boats and outboard engines to fishermen -Release of funds for the payment of the State’s counterpart contributions to the National Fadama Developement Programme, all these, in a bid to re-engineer our agricultural sector and increasing our internally-generated revenue. The present administration has reformed the agricultural sector and made it atractive as a business venture. The government has put in place resources to enhance profitable farming such as fertilizers, day old chick, rabbit, agrochemicals, cassava cuttings, improved seedlings and technical /extension services to farmers through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) Ibaka Integrated Deep Seaport Initiative: The Ibaka Integrated Deep Seaport project is one mega project whose economic importance to Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and the entire Gulf of Guinea has been well acknowledged. This has informed keen interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the project, which on completion, is expected to redefine the direction of economic activities in the sub-region. To underscore the importance of the Ibaka Intergraded Deep Seaport to the economy of the region the Federal government of Nigeria not long along ago gave approval and set up a technical implementation committee to ensure the actualization of this dream project and the required licenses have been issued for its takeoff. The key components of the IIDS, are: • Petrochemical Industries (eg, fertilizer plant) • Refineries • Five Star Hotel • Dockyard and watercraft Repair Facilities • Cargo Handling and Associated activities The Ibaka Deep Sea Port is designed to be one of the components of proposed Ibom Industrial City. The Industrial City business resort is expected to house refineries, petrochemical plant, dockyard, housing estates and oil and gas support services. The Ibaka seaport has the following unique features • Has a natural draught of 11 meters • requires little dredging to accommodate large ocean going vessels • located in the oil rich region and would serve the oil companies and oil service companies located within the region • Easy access to the oil rich Gulf of Guinea • Proximity and centrality to Deep offshore operations & West African region, JDZ, Sao Tome, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Gabon, Tinapa. • Could stimulate industrial, mercantile and tourism activities • Development of infrastructure to support oil & gas exploration, shipping, industries and international trade within a free trade zone framework • The synergy so generated would be used as a vehicle for rapid development • Employment of a strategy that balances rapid industrialisation with economic growth. However , These achievements have not gone unnoticed , as this accounts for the countless awards , honours and recognition Governor Godswill Akpabio has received ,which includes: Commander Order of the Niger (CON)2011 Congressional certificate of recognition of the US congress 2011( Governor Akpabio is the 2nd black man to win this award after The Late Nelson Mandela Gold Humanitarian award the Highest National Honour of the Niger Republic, Exam Ethics Marshall 2009 ( Ghana) Honorary Doctorate from more than 15 reputable academic institutions , media professionals / bodies Doctorate in Management Science from the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna Sun NewsPaper Man of the year Daily Independent Man of the year Silverbird Television Man of the year national Daily ,man of the year Ben Tv London Governor of the year Nigeria Union of Journalists Best governor since the creation of Akwa Ibom state Africa Lifetime achievement Price It is remarkable , that the women , children and less privileged , disabled and the elderly ,have not been left out as they have been Empowered and offered social protection by promoting gender equality, child rights, and provision of free or subsidized services so they can achieve unrestrained development and benefit from equal opportunities to project a just and fair society committed to the welfare of the people. The administration has recorded an era of women in politics , Having the first female deputy governor , the Head of Civil service, Chief judge, minister, local government chairmen and vice- chairmen etc. History has it that , In seven years of Governor Akpabios administration,Nigeria’s 21st State is a major player in the political economy of the country. Thus, The vision of his administration to build a prosperous, highly educated, technology driven, ethnically harmonious, caring and pace setting State in Nigeria has become a reality,this presents a clear picture of investment opportunities and incentives as well as the enabling environment, which makes the State an investors’ haven as Akwa Ibom state is today ,is an emerging economic destination in the Gulf of Guinea. Of a truth it is important that the leaders and the led are in a symbiotic partnership, charting a path towards collective aspiration by eschewing the cankerworm of ethno-religious sentimentality, rancherous political battle of primacy which has been the bane of our quest for unity. As the people of AKWA IBOM state celebrate Seven years of Uncommon transformation , they say, this is not the time for rhetorics,It is not time to score cheap political points with the happenings in the country, it is indeed a time for sober reflection and thanksgiving to God -as we as a people must distinguish between politics and governance . WATCH OUT NEXT WEEK SHOWING ON THESE CHANNELS AFRICA INDEPENDENT TELEVISION AIT----------------------------------------WEDNESDAY 9:00am -9:30am NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY NTAi---------------------------------------SUNDAYS 6:30pm-7:00pm SKY TV CHANNEL 267 BEN TV-CHANNEL 182 CHANNELS TV-------------------------------------------------------------------------------SATURDAYS 4:00pm-4:30pm SILVERBIRD TV------------------------------------------------------------------------------THURSDAYS 8;30pm-9:00pm NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY----------------------------------------------FRIDAYS 7:30pm-8:00pm NTA Uyo AKWA IBOM BROADCASTING CORPORATION--------------------------------FRIDAYS 7:00pm-7:30pm AKBC Uyo uncommontransformation.tv YOU CAN ALSO SEND YOUR COMMENTS THROUGH---BB PIN 763A8F40 HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY LIVE WORK INVEST IN AKWA IBOM STATE MEFLYN MBOM
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 06:53:07 +0000
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