Out of perceived fear of being taken as an underdog by the electorate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has issued an alarming "threat" to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) never to penetrate the state and open roads, insisting that such developmental strides by the commission will disrupt the development plan of the state.
Prior to the threat, while the state government was trying in futility to construct the Uyo - Ikot Ekpene road, Eket - Ibeno Road (which Exxon Mobil lavishly donated about whooping 10billion naira for the construction) NDDC has within a twinkle of an eye constructed and rehabilitated former death traps such as Ukana Offot, Nsentip, Old Itu among others into roads and streets in the state.
It was this gigantic stride that lured the State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang to have pleaded with the commission to create more roads, which NDDC in its magnanimity sent out about 70 projects for bidding and in the mean time donated a 500kva generator to a near abandoned Ibom Specialty Hospital.
Unlike other states of the Niger Delta which had their various governors or representatives during the swearing in of the present management team of NDDC led by Mr. Nsima Ekere as MD, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel did not attend nor send any appointee as representative to such an epoch making occasion which the first civilian Governor, Obong Victor Attah was in attendance.
One would recall the encomium the Senate Minority leader, Sen Godswill Akpabio poured on Nsima Ekere at the Red Chamber when he admitted that the Managing Director was HIS BEST DEPUTY GOVERNOR while serving the state.
Unfortunately, Udom Emmanuel did not attend nor find time to host the son of the soil, despite making feast for footballers, comedians and clowns almost on monthly basis.
This is not the right forum to talk about the various attempts that have been made to have a Courtesy Call in order to partner with the state government to see how projects such as the abandoned car assembling factory, Ibaka seaport, Tropicana and others could be revived and repositioned but to no avail.
I commend the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who swallowed political party pride and welcomed the management of NDDC. I thank the Edo, Delta and other state Governor's who played host to the development team in the Niger Delta.
For that governor who played hard-to-get just to score political flimsy point, one thing is certain, development has come to stay in the Niger Delta.
I may not know what Udom Emmanuel refers to as DEVELOPMENT PLAN? I had expected him to go ahead and possibly X-ray his Short, Medium and Long Term Development plan he has for the state and how he intends to achieve it.
As a person, I don't think constructing internal roads within Federal and State Housing Estates of the state, which NDDC has already done requires the development plan of the Governor.
Politics aside, there are roads in this state that need urgent attention even more than Awa Iman and as such, NDDC is the hope and possibly the solution.
Udom already is complaining about lean resources which has compelled him to see the conduct of Local election as a non priority.
If someone who came under a democratic government could open his mouth and say this, then we need to wonder and if possible ask him what he meant by "Development Plan".
Hear him, "No matter how small an election is, it would be in about 3,000 units. Look at the personnel I would employ; the materials I would need; the generators I would buy; the security I would need; the vehicles and other resources.
By the time you put all these together, you now wonder what am I set to achieve. Just for me to have someone to govern a local government?-Udom Emmanuel"
We should rather understand that the intervention measures embarked by NDDC is what has taken previous government across the Niger Delta States millennium yet to no avail.
If the governor doesn't want such gesture in the state, then citizens should be willing to ask why he doesn't want the people of Oro nation to have at least a feel of development after the commission has earmarked about 23 roads for construction across the five local government areas.
Also, the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District need to find out why Old Itu Road, and about 128 other roads as earmarked for development could not be done?
What of Uyo and Eket Senatorial District?
We should ask questions, because I am afraid that if the Governor resist such benevolence, it may be taken to somewhere else. After all, there are many states in the region.
If by next year, we don't have up-to 367 roads constructed in the state under NDDC, we shouldn't blame the commission rather we should verify and ask questions appropriately.
Thank God, Development Plan has not stopped the Commission from paying scholarship to Post Graduate Students studying abroad.
It has not deter the federal agency from partnering with other willing state governments to put smiles on the faces of their people.
While in the public and private sectors leaders crave niches for themselves and garnished same while in government.
In my quiet time, I always get sad and most at times give up on the Udom Emmanuel led administration.
I would have been happy if there was any classroom block in Awa Iman donated by Zenith bank under Udom Emmanuel as Executive Director of Finance. Just like we have Bank PHB block in University of Uyo.
I would have been happy if there was any block donated after Udom or his family member in any state based higher institution prior to his elevation, like we have Onyema Ogechukwu hall in University of Uyo, Emmanuel Enoidem ICT center in Akwa Ibom State NUJ among others.
Why am I sad?
It is obvious that despite our early attainment in life, we didn't dim it fit to return back to the society. Thus, whenever we see another people threading where we dreaded to thread while on service or appointment, we became Jealous and try to partner with the devil just to Pull Such Saviour Down.
That may have been the reason why Pharaoh did not want the children of Israel to go, maybe he knew the outcome.
That may have been why Joseph's brothers sold him (so that he will not wrestle power with them) but he ended up becoming Prime Minister in a strange land and a hope giver to his aged father and children.
That may have been the reason why someone, somewhere who never did anything for his village, let alone the state while enjoying boardroom politics is afraid of strides executed by a commission which the management has returned to its core mandate.
Where are the 146 retirees who were shortlisted for gratuity payment? Have they been paid?
What of severance payment for the Akpabio Boys and Girls? Is that part of the development plan?
If the same people who lobbied the electorate to vote for Udom could accuse the governor of a divide and rule policy, then I wonder the development plan we are talking about.
If Akpabio could stay in Rivers State and Commission projects, acting President Yemi Osibanjo could invade a PDP state and commission lives touching projects, then I wonder which one is Udom's Development Plan.
Sir, will they need to embark on ground breaking and flag off before you could do the needful in terms of development plans.
Politics aside, when the chips are down, you will understand the mind of a typical Akwa Ibom politician.
You will look North, South, East and West only to discover that your development plan is hanging on the abandoned Four Points Sheraton Hotel, while the Executioners are would have been Chairmen of Local Government Areas which you have denied the opportunity of attaining their dreams.
Well-done Mr BUSINESS SCHOOL
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