Emmanuel Nicholas Okokon
In the past, most local Government Areas in Oro nation were left out by
successive administrations -from military to democratic rule, in the
spread of developmental projects.
I have a deep sense of the
crises, and enough to know that, it was not intentional as assumed by
the masses. Rather, it was mostly out of economic constraints , though
most victims of the marginalization feel it was an intentional plot to
keep their locality undeveloped and to also ensure their political and
economic strength is undermined, not to be energized to contend with
the majority ethnic groups.
I take exception from such faulty
perceptions as one government cannot develop the entire State in its
tenure, even if the administration has all the funds in the world to do
so.
Some of these local Governments which were not getting fair
share from government developmental strides became very restive to both
government and people from other areas of the State who were touched
massively by Government's wand of development.
This also led to
so many belligerent confrontations of government agents from the areas
and those not from there.
Most times, it led to physical fisticuffs and
violent protests. So it will therefore be imperative for a sensitive
government to shift the wheels of development to these areas to balance
the equation , so that, some parts of the State will not be more
developed than the others .
When Governor Udom Emmanuel was
sworn-in he promised to take development to the hinterland of the
underdeveloped local Government Areas in the State.
Barely two
weeks in office, Governor Udom Emmanuel visited Oron metropolis under
the rain. Speaking during the inspection, the State governor, Mr
Emmanuel said he embarked on the visit on a rainy day to enable him
assess erosion and flood situation in the area with a view to taking
steps to control the menace which, he admitted, has ravaged the town.
He
said he is committed to restoring the economic and aquaculture life
which Oron had long being known for and that he will commence the
construction of drainage channels to control flood in Oron town before
reaching out to the hinterland.
His words: I didn’t like what I saw on
one of the days I came here and it was raining. Oron used to be one of
the finest ancient cities where visitors prefer to live because of its
economic and aquaculture life.
We want to restore the lost glory of
Oron. Once we finish with the drainage system, we’ll rehabilitate roads
and install street lights.
One year after , Governor Udom
Emmanuel’s government completed the construction outfalls drains to
takeaway flood water from Oron metropolis and channel it to river
basin, apart from the underground drains , he also constructed five
roads in the first phase , this includes Efiat Street , Bassey lane ,
Bassey Street ,Awanasin , Maryanne and Post office street with water
channelization to deflood the town .
Just as he has promised to
restore Oron town to his depleted glory , Akwa Ibom State Government
awarded the construction of a dual carriage way from Airport Road in Uyo
to Oron by East-West Road and 55.5kilometer Ibaka superhighway that
will start from Ukpenekan Junction on Ibeno-eket Road to Oron town at
East-West Road with large water fountain at the roundabout and fly-over
to convey motorist from Uyo into Oron town ,while motorist from Eket
axis will go through grounds-gate of the road.
Apart from this
two major dual carriage way, Akwa Ibom State Government has awarded the
construction of five new roads. This includes Atta Street, Ebo Street,
Market Street, Muritala Mohammed Road and Asbestonit Road.
Market
Street drainages will be linked to both Awana Esin Road and Post office
Street, complete with water channelization to serve as outfalls
drainage that will collect the flood water and channel it to the river
basin.
In Mbo Local Government Area , Governor Udom Emmanuel led
administration has demonstrated a clear sense of commitment not to
abandon any project started by the previous administration mobilized
the contractor back to site to complete the abandoned, once very
popular, Etebi Ewang Bridge, that links Esit Eket and Mbo Local
Government Areas . Mbo Local Government is one highest beneficiary of
55.5 Ibaka-Superhighway.
Governor Udom Emmanuel has awarded
contract for the construction of the 9 kilometer Secretariat Road that
traverses Eyo Ulliong- Ediko- Uduetta in Udung Uko Local Government area
with spurs of about 3 kilometres.
Since creation of the local
Government Area, no administration in State has constructed even one
kilometer of Road in the Area. Apart from the awarded Road the State
government is also profiling Udesi road that cut across Mbo-Udung Uko
–Orue Ofong Oruku Local Government Areas Respectively.
In Okobo
the State Government has awarded contract for the construction of Nung
Atai Eta-Ebighi Eta-Obufi-Atabong Road with a jetty and Uruting-
Eyede-Osu Offi-Afaha Osu-Otieke-Utine-Nsie Road.
Apart from these
two roads, Okobo local Government Area is also one of the local
Government Areas that are beneficiary of the dual carriage-way from Uyo
to East-West Road .
In Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area ,
Akwa Ibom State Government has begun the profiling two major roads for
construction ,which will be flagged-off during the second anniversary
of Governor Udom Emmanuel. First is construction of Ebughu-Udesi-Oruko
road , which links Mbo with Orue Offong Oruko Local Government .
When Mr Udom Emmnuel says, “I am that Oro Governor that you were
looking for, we are brothers and sisters from one family, I drink from
the same river so I feel the plight of the people of Oro Nation”, he
means every word of it. As a focused and result oriented leader, he has
awarded contract for 55.5 kilometer Road called Ibaka Superhighway to
actualize Ibom Deep Sea Port Project .
The Ibom Deep Seaport is
an audacious attempt to change the maritime story of Akwa Ibom State.
It holds the promise of an industrial revolution of our State. It holds
the promise of the industrialization of Akwa Ibom.
It holds the promise
of the creation of over 300,000 jobs. It holds the promise of a
self-sustaining commercial city with oil and gas support services. It
holds the promise of our finally tapping into our awesome and largely
untapped maritime potentials.
The Ibom Deep Sea Port will be an
industrial mix that will pump our economy to its highest calibration of
performance like it is in other climes.
In boosting her hubbies
effort to develop Oron Nation , Her Excellency , Deaconess Martha
Emmanuel through her pet project ,Family Empowerment and Youth
Reorientation Programme (FEYReP), has laid the foundation of Sea Food
Processing Factory in Ibaka Beach, Mbo Local Government Area.
The
First lady of Akwa Ibom State says that the factory is borne out of her
desire to reach out to the women in the fishing communities, noting
that it is in fulfillment of the campaign promises she made to the women
of Oro Nation.
She said the factory will boost economic
activities of the women and will also add value to the lives of the
people of the areas because it will create more job opportunities.
These significant moves of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State are a clear
testimony of a sincere and honest disposition to change the fortunes of
the people of Oro nation.
What the Oro nation owes to itself is full
support to government that is genuinely interested in the welfare of its
people.
Governor Udom Emmanuel does not play politics with
projects and he made it clear to all of sundry that is out to be leader
of political and economic inclusion and not a leader of Political and
economic exclusion. He says that all part of Akwa Ibom State will be
touched by his Superior performance.
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