How successful the Akwa Ibom project is executed should be the concern of all. There is no non-indigene of the state that will be able to develop this state better than many of her sons and daughters who by divine providence are strategically positioned in leadership positions.
The land belongs to all and its many blessings are never for a selected few. Our land is blessed in both material and human resources; it is therefore unacceptable for the people who dwell in the land to live in pains, lack and deprivation.
In a way, the people are blessed with good leaders from the days old South Eastern state. To list them may take us a little too far from the subject matter but their landmarks are there for all to see.
Today, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is on the saddle as the fourth democratically elected governor of the state. Like his predecessors, only very few can see his efforts while those eying his seat believe he has nothing good to show for the two years in office.
Faced with present economic woes in the country, he has established himself as a good manager and astute administrator.
The down turn of the nation’s economy seems to have added to the stress of governance where the governor appears overwhelmed even as his lieutenants are seen to add to his stress thus leading to seep seated frustration.
When Chief Dan Abia was relieved of his duties as managing director of NDDC Akwa Ibom government nay people cried foul especially as he was replaced with an acting managing director from Rivers State.
Since the office of managing director was rotated among the nine states of Niger- Delta, it amounted to injustice for a Rivers Person to replace an Akwa Ibom person but certainly no one expected Obong Nsima Ekere to be the replacement chosen by Mr. President.
Although the new man has not bared his mind concerning the 2019 gubernatorial elections rumor mill has it that the wave of defection from PDP to APC in the state is not unconnected with his aspiration.
Obong Nsima Ekere like President Buhari is not a newcomer in gubernatorial contest in the state. He was there in 2006 as an aspirant among 55 others; in 2011 he was elected deputy governor on the platform of PDP.
Although his tenure as deputy was short lived, he made a comeback in 2015 and emerged the leader of a group of 22 gubernatorial aspirants who were aggrieved by the process which threw up Udom Emmanuel as PDP candidate.
By 2019 if he seeks the office again, he will be making his fourth appearance and just as it happened to General Buhari he may emerge governor.
This explains the many negative news reports against him in some local tabloids. He is the target of all attacks, some of which are so injurious and damaging while others portray him as being incompetent lacking integrity to man such office.
In an attempt to bring him down by all means they forgot so soon the numerous calls on Mr. President to appoint an Akwa Ibom person to replace Dan Abia.
They also forgot the relief that came the way of commuters in Uyo following intervention of NDDC in the reconstruction of streets within Uyo metropolis. Streets like Udo streets, Udo Edouk, Ukana Offot Etuk street, Nyong Essien and very many others is the answer to our long term cries.
Therefore, I strongly disagree with those trying to rubbish the good and commendable effort of NDDC in the area of road rehabilitations within Uyo metropolis.
Agreed that the commission before now was bedridden with corruption where contractors were awarded and mobilized but abandoned projects that would have benefitted the people.
The Obong Nsima Ekere led management should be allowed to execute the core mandate of the commission for the good of the people without distractions from those who should be partners.
Already, the people have seen a significant difference between the former and present NDDC and like the man who was born blind but healed by Jesus; the people are no longer interested in who fixed the streets but that once it was impossible to cross from Aka Road to Abak road using Nsentip Street until now courtesy of NDDC.
As at the last count, there were over three hundred projects abandoned at various stages by NDDC contractors.
These past failures are not be enough reason to castigate the commission or ridicule the office of the managing director. The commission is working and the people are happy.
Therefore the current war of words between the state government through the ministry of works and NDDC is needless because of the larger Akwa Ibom interest.
The government has no moral justification to speak derogatorily of NDDC managed by Nsima Ekere because despite the huge revenue derived from tricycle operators who use the streets often government turned a blind eye to the plight of the people.
The controversy raised by the ‘proposed’ construction of Abak Ikot Abasi high way should settle as soon as possible. The reason being that under NDDC Act, they are not supposed to handle projects of that magnitude.
It is hoped that the new NDDC board with Nsima Ekere as managing director will do better that previous managements and put smiles on the lips of the people.
Already, contractors have been asked to return to site while the Minister of Niger Delta has directed the state director of the commission to furnish his office with the total number of projects so far abandoned in the state.
This is the right direction to go which will at the end of the day bring development to the doorsteps of the people. Let us in Akwa Ibom be our brother’s keeper and stop the pull him down syndrome which has manifested in many ways especially since All Progressives Congress formed government at the centre.
It is only Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who has not been attacked so hard from home while Distinguished Senator Ita Enang, Obong Nsima Ekere, Obong Umana Umana have remained at the receiving end of punches from their brothers who should naturally celebrate their elevation.
There is no other time better than now to change this negative attitude of using politic to destroy what we have and take to politics of development as played in other climes.
Obong Nsima Ekere as managing direstor of NDDC is an added advantage to the state and so far eyes have seen and several mouths testify of the good of NDDC. Let us support one another and see politics as a tool for development not for personal glorification.
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