UYO STADIUM ECONOMETRICS The match between Nigeria and Ghana on the day Uyo Stadium was commissioned wasnt the most important event of that day. The most important event took place at a viewing centre at Ekong Iman Junction by Abak Road, Uyo. There were about 27 ordinary Akwa Ibom people in that location for the same event that attracted Goodluck Jonnathan and two other presidents to Uyo. While waiting for the match a debate started about Chief Don Etiebets contention that if zoning of governorship to ESD was based on equity it should have gone to Oro. So heated was the argument for or against that at a point one of the contending parties, Udo Mbakara broke a bottle on the head of Umoh Idiong of the opposite camp. A fight ensured which almost resulted into a free for all but the referees whistle signaling the start of Nigeria-Ghana match saved the day. Magically, the contenders and mediators turned their attention to the 42 TV on the unpainted wall. But that wasnt the big event. It was when Nigeria scored against Ghana that the big event occurred. Something called unity arrived from nowhere. Everyone embraced each other in wild frenzy. Udo Mbakara and Umoh Idiong fell on each other and rolled on the ground; not for another fight but in brotherly jubilation and oneness. At that moment the governorship could go to Uyo, Ewang or back to Essien Udim for all anybody cares. The message was simple: we are all one, if we succeed together - one Akwa Ibom, one Nigeria. This was the biggest event of that day - courtesy of the stadium. I have read Abimbola Adelakuns comment on the stadium in Punch Newspaper titled Governor Money Miss Road and an argument by Arch Ekong Etuk on social media about the stadium project being a sham. I have also read attempts by Uwem Umana to explain the nexus between stadium and tourism and others. All of them have some points but missed the main point. Recall that this was the same way the flyovers, Tropicana Hotel and even e-library projects were debated. Of all these The E-Library was particularly interesting. Ofcourse we all know that an e-library was supposed to offer type of service that allows users, without actually stepping into the library, to read library books (that are not protected by copy writes) and conduct research at home, in the office, or at school, using the Internet. By this definition the principal tool of the library is the advance data processing and networking technology in place to facilitate this highly convenient mode of service. The building may therefore not necessarily be elaborate. But Akwa Ibom e-library building is comparable in terms of cost to Empire State Building in New York. This sparked a real debate. But both the bogus building and its facilities are supposed to serve good purpose. The question would would people criticize what is supposedly meant for their well being? Talking about well being, I believe we all know that development is all about well being. What should be noted however is that Gov Akpabio didnt do any of these in bad grace. You cannot talk of development without a deliberate policy intervention endeavor with aims of economic and social well-being of the people touching critical areas like human capital, critical infrastructure, regional competitiveness, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, health, safety, literacy, and other initiatives. Why would people then subject almost all the infrastructures built by the Akpabio administration to propriety and impropriety? Something must be wrong. After laboriously putting these infrastructures in place Gov Akpabio would spend a lot of time, energy and money to explain to convince the people of the need for the same infrastructure that was intended for their general good. Is this normal? We have all witness him at various fora laboriously giving these explanations. Like the econometrics he outlined during the opening of the stadium. Yet few understood him. Why this burden of explanation when what you have done is there for all to see? The answer is in understanding the peoples needs as against wants. A need is simply anything that you can’t physically live without if you must have a safe and secure life. Shelter, basic utilities like water and electricity, clothing, food, and transportation are all basic needs. Unfortunately these are the things the Akpabio administration has made the least attempt to provide. A house for instance is a need. You certainly need a house for your family, but you probably don’t need a 4,000 square foot house with a gourmet kitchen, outdoor fireplace, pool, and 3-car garage if you are an average income earning family. So does a state. This type of house would classify as a want rather than a need. In case of a state some infrastructures are not needs though wanted at certain point in time. It is this simple classification that has eluded Gov Akpabio in fashioning his infrastructural policy. Akwa Ibom is a family - an average income state with heavy reliance on federal allocation. It currently has no savings. I stand to be corrected. Gov Akpabios real weakness has been his inability to recognize how much is too much for a young state to spend on a project while some of its citizens eat from dust-bins (maybe he is unaware). That is why his transformation program is called uncommon transformation. Suppose the money that went to building the stadium had been used to build 10,000 rather than 30,000 capacity stadium; and the balance used for provision of 5000 to 10,000 low cost housing units and made available to the people at convenient and affordable prices. This may not have attracted Ghana president to Uyo but it would saved a lot of persons from quasi-destitution. It would also increase peoples disposable income in the immediate term, by creating savings which would otherwise have been used for rents. This increase in disposable income would increase buying power thereby increasing demand for goods and services. This inturn necessitates supply. Where there is strong necessity for Supply job is created because there is correlation between supply and job creation. This is the chain whenever you provide critical rather than a bogus infrastructure. This is not to say that the alternative choice which in this case was the 30,000 capacity stadium is bad; no, stadium is ok but was it really a need at that point in time? Was it critical to the peoples existence? Wouldnt a smaller but equally petite and equipped stadium provide training facilities for his dream Serena Williams of Akwa Ibom? There is really no need wasting time to debate Gov Akpabios infrastructural policy. You cant change him now. You can only ensure we free ourselves from the materialism trap we find ourselves by collectively making sure he doesnt replicate himself with his crony. The bible says by their fruits you shall know them. His choice of successors expense on bill boards alone can build 10 classroom blocks and take off most unemployed graduates from the streets. He would not be different when he gets into government. Look out for the signs. Little things matter. It is true the frog likes water but not when the water is boiling. We do love football and we would be glad to receive Ronaldo, Messi and even our own Victor Eyama at Uyo Stadium. We also enjoy entertainment. We love Nollywood movies. We would like to see Kate Henshaw, Eme Ido and our own Okon Lagos on big screens at Tropicana. But we would not like to do any of these on persistent empty stomachs. We need a leader that understands that gold is not a substitute for bread. A leader who is one of us. James Abang Writes From Atte-Okiuso Village, Urueoffong/Oruko LGA. (08037277620 SMS)
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:06:10 +0000
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