TOROBONG
EKPO
In
a bid to thwart developmental human driven projects of the Federal Government,
the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has mandated the Buhari
led administration to warn Intervention Agencies of the Federal Government from
developing the Niger Delta states noting that lands are owned not by the
Federal Government nor its agencies but by governors of the states.
Udom,
who expressed his anger, amidst other PDP governors across the Niger Delta
States, during the South- South Security summit held in Uyo, specifically
clamped down on the effort of the Federal Government in creating Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC) insisting that no intervention project should be
done in the Niger Delta States without the permission of state governors.
"
Let me also use this opportunity that the MD of NDDC is here to state clearly
that NDDC does not own even a piece of land.
"It
is the governors that are in charge of land. NDDC should not enter any of the
nine states to do any project without permission from the governors" He
charged.
It
will be recalled that prior to the perceived face-off, the NDDC had constructed
about 2,999 roads across the Niger Delta States, built classroom blocks,
provided pipe borne water among other human capital projects.
In
Akwa Ibom State for instance, the agency has constructed all the internal roads
in Federal, State, Akwa Savings and other Housing Estates across the three
Senatorial Districts of the state, donated KVA generator to 21st anniversary
hospital where dialysis patients died frequently as a result of poor power
supply in time pasts as well as sponsored natives overseas on Post graduate
programmes.
Our
Source gathered that, NDDC has constructed roads totalling about 301 in AKS,
including roads leading to the Uyo residence of State Commissioners, Chairmen
and board of state government agencies, as well as Senior Special adviser to
Mr. President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang and was on the
verge of constructing Okokon Etuk street prior to the outrage by Mr Emmanuel.
It
is believed that, if the battle line the Akwa Ibom State governor has drawn
with the Buhari led administration holds sway, the Akwa Ibom State will be
underdeveloped as federal presence may not be felt.
Reacting
to the statement credited to the governor, Dr. Udeme Nana, a Media Consultant,
lecturer, and Special adviser to former governors of Akwa Ibom State, portrays
the statement as unpatriotic.
"This
statement in particular and the entire speech lacks statemanship" He
revealed.
In
his remark, Prof. Leviticus Odewale, a Political Scientist described the
warning as childish, insensitive and uncalled for, thereby wondering why the
governor was jittering.
"It's
too childish. I don't think he has perrused the ordinance and laws establishing
NDDC before making such obvious ignoramus statement, he has succeeded in making
a daft remark. But, why is he jittering?" He queried.
Also
Speaking, Obong Inibehe Udoh, a Community Leader in Ika Local Government Area
educated the governor on laws guiding NDDC activities, thereby pleading with
the commission to come to their aid in Ika LGA.
"May
God help us. NDDC does not need anybody's permission to fix or make new roads.
Ika LGA is genuinely in need of their interventions. Fear is bad." He
noted.
In
their duo reactions, Mr. Godwin Usoro and Otuekong OT Sampson wondered if Akwa
Ibom State has a governor as well as viewed the perceived governor as being
silly.
"Do
we have a Governor in Akwa ibom state? I doubt it." Godwin Usoro doubted
"Mr
governor you are more than stupid" OT Sampson fumed.
In
their twosome submissions on the timeline of Sitippe ke Akwa Ibom, an online
blog, Mr Innocent John reacted thus:
"Mind
you Satan is all out with his disciplinary team to deal with who so ever that
is against development in the Niger Delta Region not to talk of Akwa Ibom
State."
While
Ekemini Akpan had this to say,
"I dont want to insult you. Don't underdevelop us with your statements
again, that is not politics at-all!"
Meanwhile,
Forum of Youth Leaders Across Political Parties (FYLAP) has apologized to
President Buhari for the insult meted on his led leadership by the governor of
Akwa Ibom State.
In
a Statement issued by the National Chairman of the body, Barr. Frederick Odili
and Secretary, Pastor Godwin John, the group pleaded with the presidency to
come to the aid of the region maintaining that the region was in dire need of
Federal Government Presence.
The
Statement noted with dismay that, while governors of Cross River, Delta, Edo
States were showcasing developmental strides in the region, development in Akwa
Ibom State was scanty and lopsided and pleaded with the Federal government to
salvage the plight of Akwa Ibom State.
"We
have noted with dismay that, while projects in Edo, Rivers and Cross River
States were human oriented, that of Akwa Ibom State was very scanty and
lopsided.
"We
have observed that out of the 31 Local Government Areas in that State, only
Onna which has three industries to the credit of the state government is a bit
developed since the assumption of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.
"We
thereby plead with Mr. President to salvage the plight of that state with
regards to legions of abandoned projects in the state and deplorable roads in
the area." the release reads in part.
Our
findings reveal that, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is the first governor, who has openly
warned the Buhari led administration as well as educate the presidency on land
ownership in Nigeria.
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