By Ayo Yusuf
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has used the occasion of the state’s celebration of its 36 years of existence to announce his determination to govern well no matter whose ox is gored than worry about his chances of winning a second term in office.
The governor said he would rather prefer to achieve an impactful one term in office than to gain two “useless terms”.
Governor Eno was speaking at a press conference which formed part of the activities lined up to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the creation of the state christened the “Land of Promise.”
The governor was reportedly reacting to threats by some aggrieved stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, who vowed to withdraw their support from him whenever he seeks a second term in office.
The disgruntled members have allegedly accused Governor Eno of blocking their access to the state treasury and expressed regret that they had supported his candidacy in the last election.
The governor stated emphatically that he would rather serve a single term decorated with laudable feats than serve for eight years with nothing to show for it.
Governor Eno said he will continue to invest in life-changing projects and programmes for the teeming 7.9 million residents of the state than allow a few influential people to hold him captive.
He promised to invest massively in infrastructural facilities that improves rural development as his administration begins work with local government chairmen to acquire 50 hectares of land in each local government area for agricultural purposes.
Governor Eno said, “We are trying to ensure that my recurrent expenditure does not run at par with my capital expenditure. Whatever we save is to be put back in the rural areas. Every N500 million I save would give me a school, would give me a hospital.
Further, according to the governor, “I prefer a good first term than a useless two-term. It is only when you account for four years well, that you would be asked to go again. I’d rather put money in rural communities. My job is to ensure that the 7.9m people are satisfied. I discovered that almost everybody is waiting for the government.
“The challenge before us is to maintain the existing infrastructure. We lack a maintenance culture. That is why we seek to establish an asset management agency to help in the maintenance of our assets. We build new ones when we have to.
“We are working with the 31 Local Government Areas chairmen on agricultural development. We will be using not less than 50 hectares of land per Local Government Area for farming.
“I am not perfect, but I promise that I will not deliberately launch this state into something we would regret. We will do our best.”
Counts Blessings
Governor Eno noted that 36 years after its creation, Akwa Ibom State has transformed from a dusty provincial headquarters of thatched houses into Nigeria’s destination of choice for businesses, conferences, and other national events with thriving social and creative life.
Governor Eno who was counting Akwa Iboms’ blessings at the Government House Uyo in celebration of the 36th anniversary of the state’s creation by the then military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida also stressed that the performance of his predecessors has spurred him to sustain the momentum of rapid development of the state.
He stated, “Thirty six years ago, Akwa Ibom, a dusty rural backwater, where the roads were narrow, at most looked like bush tracks, now enjoys the enviable position of being the sub national with possibly the best road network in the nation.
“36 years after, capital city Uyo which was a dusty provincial headquarters with homes that consisted of a smattering of thatched houses, now boasts of some of the most elegant estates with beautiful homes you will find anywhere in the world.
“Today, 36 years later, our children are smashing records, our reading culture has been ignited, with the recent Guinness World Record attempt by one of our great sons, John Obot for the longest hours spent reading aloud.
“Life expectancy has improved considerably, because of the improvements in Primary and Secondary, even quaternary healthcare facilities. Our State has become the destination of choice for conferences, seminars and other national events, with thriving social and creative life.
“Thanks to our hospitable nature, peace and tranquility we enjoy, our rich cuisines which earlier this year, gained international acclaim with exploits of our daughter, Hilda Baci, who won the Guinness World Record for longest hours of cooking by an individual, our State is attracting visitors in thousands with most deciding to live and work here.
“Our State, 36 years later, is the only sub-national with a thriving commercial airline, Ibom Air, that has become the nation’s most preferred airline, thus cementing our position as both a tourism magnet and a destination for investors.”
Thanking past leaders of the state for laying solid foundation for the growth and development currently being experienced in the state, Governor Eno said, “It is because of the performance of our past leaders that I am daily being motivated to continue from where they had stopped.
“A little over 100 days since I was sworn in as your Governor, I can say that we have hit the ground running and God has been an ever- present Guide as we work to translate our vision into practical, measurable and impactful forms.
“Key elements of the ARISE Agenda, which is the flagship programme of my administration to open up our rural areas, provide access roads, ignite agricultural revolution and reduce the push and desire for people to migrate form rural to urban areas, he said.
