Robinson Uwaks Vain-Glorious Conspiracy By Aniekan Umanah I have followed with deep sense of nostalgia, the rather unfortunate attempt by my brother, Hon. Robinson Uwak, in recent times, to disparage and malign his Governor and benefactor, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON. Lucky Dube, peace on his ashes, once sang the lines, leaders start a war anytime they want. Some for their rights, some for fun, some for their own glory. Those words reverberate in my mind when I consider the recent vainglorious war of calumny visited on our pragmatic leader and boss, Governor Akpabio, by Hon. Robinson Uwak. It so oft pricks me to recall the remarkable lines of William Shakespeare, laced with all the foreboding of classic irony, EVEN THOU BRUTUS, in the playscript, Julius Caesar. Now, Hon. Uwak is not just anybody. He is a leader in his own right. Uwak represents Oron, which is one out of the ten Federal Constituencies of Akwa Ibom State in the National Assembly. In what many pundits have described as a desperate attempt to secure a second term ticket, Uwak resorted to using his Facebook wall to rain invectives on Governor Akpabio. When my attention was initially drawn to his facile comments, I expressed doubts that a man of honourable esteem, like Robinson Uwak, will stoop so low. My doubt was dispelled when I actually confirmed the rants on his Facebook wall. In my rumination, I wondered what is honourable about a son who plays to strip his father before a partisan crowd. I pondered on how Uwak wants to earn political goodwill by insulting the office and person of his governor. That my brother Uwak threw caution to the wind to denigrate and make public ridicule of the respect accorded him by Governor Godswill Akpabio, shows the height of disregard and contempt he holds against the State Governor who had, through a telephone conversation, invited him to discuss his grievances. Like the proverbial man who tries to hide his face behind his thumb, Uwak believes, erroneously, that by casting slur on Governor Akpabios unrivalled performance, his below par performance in the National Assembly will be canceled out. Uwak, attempting to incite ethnic strife and exploit fault lines, alleged that Governor Akpabio hates Oro nation and has marginalized them in all ramifications with total neglect. He goes ahead to put down the pragmatic peoples Governor, calling him the Uncommon Transformer of Annang Land and parts of Uyo. I had a good laugh when his hirelings, in cue like a choreographed ensemble, went wild with media blitz to hail Uwak as an Oron patriot and defender. I laughed uncontrollably because most of them are not from Oro nation. The few who are, no doubt, are those who subscribe to Uwaks crumbling private interest cloaked as good for the Oro peoples and their politics. I will explain. Let me begin by stating that no leader in the world can ever complete or do everything in such a manner that there is nothing left to be done. That is why we all know that Government is a continuum. Chief Akpabio, by himself, does acknowledge this fact. Often times, he alludes to the truth that if Jesus Christ had finished everything there was to be done pertaining to the faith, pastors and other clergymen the world over would be useless in the present and future ages. Fact is that they are here with us because the harvest is plenty but the reapers are few. Uwak has taken his grandstanding to another conceited and deceptive level. In order to prove his allegation against H. E. Governor Godswill Akpabio, he purportedly commissioned a documentary written and produced to spotlight only the downsides of Oro geophysical realities. While nobody denies that there a few downsides, the problems and challenges that Governor Akpabio met on ground were enormous, are almost impossible to conceive because of sheer enormity. The incontrovertible fact remains that he has performed excellently for the entire state, and in particular moved the Oro nation forward. It is worrisome that Uwak conveniently ignored the goodies Governor Akpabio has delivered to Oro nation, but gloats in fault finding. This smacks of cheap politicking. Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio, I must confess, deserves the appreciation and praise of every Oro man and, indeed, of the good people of Akwa Ibom. So much more, we should thank God Almighty; He granted us the blessing of such a leader who has earned world acclaim for his seven-star performance. When he came on board on May 29, 2007, his speech - A HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF ALL COMPONENTS OF THE STATE inspired hope and set the spirit and vision of his administration. Intent on developing all parts of the state and making government to work, Governor Akpabio adopted proper models for multi-sector development. By these arrangements and models, all the major sub-urban centres in the former divisions would be re-developed as the melting points of their catchment areas. Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan, Eket, Abak, Ikot Abasi and Oron became focal points. Roads construction, which have taken a major leap in the Akpabio administration, were well spread. In that deliberate plan: Eket has 49 urban roads; Oron had 34; Ikot Abasi had 18; Abak had 19; and Etinan with a stretch of 18.6 kilometres of road constructed. Since Oro nation is the issue, I want my brother, Hon. Uwak to dispute the fact that all the underlisted road projects are not located there. The roads include: ORON 1) a) The Construction of Etebi Ewang Road & Bridge 23km (ONGOING) b) Etebi Ewang Bridge - 1.2km (The longest bridge in Akwa Ibom State) 2) (COMPLETED) Temporary Terminal building Ibom International Airport, (ONGOING) Permanent terminal building Ibom International Airport in Okobo, Oro Nation 3) Renovated Iquita General Hospital Oron with living quarters for doctors fully equipped & furnished with 18 suites 4) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lot 1, Civic Center Road Spur Eyotong Road 5) Court Road 6) Isangedighi Street 7) Lawrence Etim Avenue 8) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lots 2 & 4 Anwana Mba Street 9) Mount Zion Street 10) Mainland Lane, Effiat Street 11) Afaha Okpo Street, Agric Lane 12) Lot 4; Anamfa Street 13) Okpo Edet- Aba Road 14) Akilu Street 15) Convent Road 16) Ibo Street 17) Asanwana Street 18) Awolowo Street 19) Etim Inyang 1 20) Udesi Street 21) Uyo Oron Street 22) Construction of Oron Urban Roads Lots 3 23) Esio Okwong Udo Avenue 24) Hon. Martin Effiong Close 25) New Police Station Road 26) Obisung-Nduonyi Road 27) Eyo, Ekerendu, Elei Street 28) Etienam Street 29) Uda Street 30) Construction of Oron - Airport Diversion loops 2 ( Ikot Asua - Odobo Nung Atai) road - ( 8.3 km) 31) Construction of Oron road sect II from Mbiabong RR. IIto Airport - ( 21. 3 km) 32) Akan Street 33) Construction of Oron - Airport Diversion loops 2 ( Ikot Asua - Odobo Nung Atai) road - ( 8.3 km) 34) Construction of Oron road sect II from Mbiabong RR. IIto Airport - ( 21. 3 km) 35) Azikiwe Street As we speak, over 27 or 80% of those roads in Oron axis have been completed and several inaugurated. Few others had design defects and are being re-constructed. If Uwak is not aware of this, then he has spent too much time in Abuja and on Facebook, his new home. Naturally, Uyo as the capital city hosts a more significant chunk of the key projects which I will not bother to count. Nevertheless, Oron nation is host to the Ibom International Airport with a major road bypass criss-crossing Ikot Itie Idung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area and all the way to Okobo. That road was constructed by the administration to complement the airport which opens up the state in general, and Oron Federal Constituency in particular, to unprecedented opportunities on an international scale. Eket Senatorial District can boast of a fair share of the Governors midas touch. The Ibom Power Plant at Ikot Abasi, which he met at 65% completion level, was completed by Governor Akpabio. Eastern Obolo, since creation of the state, had her first ever State Government project, a world class General Hospital, completed by His Excellency Governor Akpabio. It also has several inter-ministerial projects scattered across her tough terrain. We also note that the biggest gas processing plant in this part of the world has been completed at Uquo in Esit Eket, having 59 kilometres of gas pipeline feeding Ikot Abasi. It is awaiting inauguration by Mr President. Ibeno, which is a major oil hub, also has a first ever hospital constructed by the Governor Akpabio administration. We can also cite the ongoing dualization of Eket-Ibeno road as part of the Uncommon Transformers signature project in Eket Senatorial District. How come the Governor is said to have only impacted on Uyo and Annang land by our brother? Should we also remind Hon. Uwak that Governor Akpabio has pursued with zeal and passion the realization of the Ibaka deep seaport at Mbo? Although in the exclusive list of the Federal Government, the Akpabio administration has not relented effort in demonstrating political will, logistic or financial support to speed up its completion. Again, this is planned to be the hub of international business in the Gulf of Guinea and is one that will benefit the people of Oro nation the most. Yet, Governor Akpabio is not an Oro man, but a patriot and statesman in his thinking and vision. The ambitious project of embarking on the longest bridge in the state at Okontighe across River Mbo was effected by Governor Akpabio. This project, Uwak knows, has always remained in the pipeline of successive administrations for over sixty years. But, Uwak will not acknowledge the large heartedness of the governor to pull it off. Our people in Mbo and Oro nation, who will benefit from that landmark, celebrate this great achiever. It beats my imagination that Hon. Uwak is unaware of the 483 inter - ministerial projects executed and inaugurated, with an additional 157 ongoing projects across Oro nation .These include classroom blocks, mini water schemes, electricity projects, health centres among others. Many more are currently in progress. He may also be unaware that Iquita General Hospital was one of the secondary healthcare facilities to be completed courtesy of the Uncommon Transformer of Annang Land and Uyo. That hospital and its 18 blocks for House Officers are not in Annang land, but were constructed by the Governor Akpabio administration in Oro nation. Can we deny that our own people also executed the Inter-Ministerial contracts and were thus empowered by the Akpabio administration? Can I add that over two billion Naira worth of projects are involved in these transactions? If Governor Akpabio has neglected Oro nation, his political patronage ought to reflect something other than what we know. Oron nation have produced two Ministers of the Federal Republic through Governor Akpabio. Prof. Ita Okon Ewa was Honourable Minister of Science and Technology and, currently, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi is the Honourable Minister of Housing. At every point in this administration since 2007, the five local Governments of Oro nation, in a state with 31 Council areas, fill three slot with Honourable Commissioners. The three Commissioners now in service are: Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim (Justice and Attorney General); Prof. Alice Antai (Education); and Mr Ante Oquong (Economic Development). There was also the Late Pastor Oyong Asuquo and Chief Victor Iyanam who served as Commissioners in key ministries. So, what is Akpabios sin against the Oro nation? None whatsoever! The Chairman of the Governing Board of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Eminue, and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Arc Out Ita Toyo, are both of Oro extraction. Even the pioneer bursar of the new Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, is not Annang but from Oro nation that has its fair share of political appointments as do other parts of the State. Oron nations quest to be included and recognized as an oil producing area got its most significant endorsement from Governor Akpabio. For the first time ever, an Oro son, Etim Inyang jnr. was appointed Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Board. For the ongoing National Conference at Abuja, Her Excellency Mrs Atim Okpoyo, Chief Okon Osung - Chairman of Oro Think Tank and Dr Uyot were nominated by the governor as members of the state delegation to the confab Should we remind Uwak that all these do not smack of neglect of a people? Should we also inform him that the failed portions of the federal Oron/Uyo road is receiving due intervention from Governor Akpabio who deployed Nigerpet Construction Company to reclaim the area while awaiting Federal input? Has he forgotten that the Akpabio administration has acquired and paid compensation for land in order to expand the Maritime Academy, Oron that is bidding to obtain a degree awarding university status from the Federal Government? Is Oro nation left out of the Free and Compulsory Education programme up to Senior Secondary level put in place the Akpabio administration? Uwak should please answer these questions. My submission, therefore, is that Governor Akpabio has taken keen interest in the overall development of the State without leaving out even the remotest part. I have a deep sense of gratitude to a man who has significantly altered our perception and definition of politics, while engaging first class good governance methods. Uwaks resort to open letters and Facebook war is not only laced with mischief, but skewed with prejudice and political treachery. Governor Akpabio has done his best within consideration of competing challenges across the state and limit of resources available to him. What is left is for all persons in Oro nation, and Akwa Ibom as a whole, to pray earnestly that God should give us a worthy successor who will continue from where Governor Akpabios tenure ends, who will sustain his passion and drive for comprehensive development of all parts of the State and even surpass his legacies. Governor Akpabio does not deserve Uwaks vainglorious war of playing to the gallery. We are not amused, fooled or blindfolded by his antics. Finally, let me remind my brother, Hon. Uwak, that if he believes the lie that abusing Governor Akpabio on pages of newspapers, electronic or social media platforms will guarantee him a second term ticket, which is his real target, then he has taking a walk into darkness. One does not have to destroy others in a bid to succeed.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:12:33 +0000
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