HON ROBINSON UWAKS CATACOSMESIS I had just started eating my normal breakfast of onion and cucumber (which my marginalized budget could afford) when I stumbled on a Utube link to view what my own MP in person of Hon Robinson Uwak has put together which was purportedly earlier denied to be aired on AIT for fear of exposing to the world the grim marginalization of Oro by the Akpabio administration. I quickly swallowed my cucumber-onion combination and sat back. Even without viewing the item I was elated that at last someone has hit Gov Akpabio where it hurts. But after watching the presentation I wasnt sure anymore between Gov Akpabio and Hon Robinson Uwak who has marginalized Oro. I saw a few streets with stagnant water, refuse-dump and a kind old woman and some very useful men making speeches. What an anti-climax! Are these what he called marginalization of Oro? He should go to Eket, Ibeno, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Atai, Abak, Uyo and infact all over the state except some parts of Uyo and Ukana and Ikot Ekpene etc hell find similar terrain - even worse. If Hon Uwak didnt know bad roads in Oro or the array of gully erosions that dot Oro nation to show to the world he should have had the humility to ask those who know. He should have shown the world the so called 35 roads which translates in real terms to just about 21km. He should have shown the world the claimed longest bridge in Oro let the world see how far it has gone. Alternatively if the Honorable member forgot the meaning of the word marginalization he should have consulted his phone dictionary. How many Oro sons or daughters or any indigene of ESD has enjoyed any contract from this administration that can buy anything beyond onion and cucumber in the last 7 years. What has been the primary school enrollment in Oro nation since the free education and what are the state of the schools? How many teachers per 20 or per 100 pupils for that matter compared to what obtains in other areas? How happy are the teachers to bring up this children (future generations)? If there has been increase, how many new secondary schools have been built in the last 7 years to take the feed from the increase enrollment in primary schools? What is the state and quality of the existing secondary schools? The government have a well articulated manpower development program that seek to beef up the state manpower base by overseas training of indigene students in some key areas. How many Oro sons and daughters or ESD indigenes are beneficiaries of that program? How many graduates of Oro origin have been employed in the state civil service in the last 7 years compared to the numbers that have left school vis a vis what obtains in other areas of the state. What is the quality of the graduates compared to what obtained elsewhere within the state and previous regimes? How many director level, senior and middle level officers does Oro have in civil service, LG service etc? Above all and in fairness to Gov Akpabio, he should have done all these side by side his own modest achievement for the world to compare. Let me commend the Honorable Member for his achievement (according to him) to appropriate N2.6b through NDDC for the dualization of Oron road from Uya-Oron Junction to the Beach. I pray this would be enough to pay compensation let alone do the road. I also note his endeavor to call on the governor to support his effort by exploring his relationship with the Federal Government especially the NDDC to fast track the award of the contract for this project to a reputable construction company... This is laudable except that the call indicate that our Honorable Robinson Uwak understands that there is something called teamwork, cooperation, synergy and the greatest of them - lobbying to attract development to your place. For seven years all our representatives both at state and national levels, LG chairmen/persons failed to utilize this tool only to come when the market is almost over to pull wool over our eyes. It is not Gov Akpabio that has marginalized Oro but all our representatives, LG chairmen and all those who are in a position to use any of our slots. At least non of them have resigned in protest to show us their dissatisfaction. They are the true marginalizers of Oro. Gov Akpabios administration is like a drama which closes with a monologue that basically surmises that things won’t get any better for Oro bold and uncompromising. Theres no need crying over spilt milk. What Oro should concern itself now is to what should be done to ensure they get the next governor either directly or indirectly. They should also ensure that another Akpabio by any guise doesnt emerge again. That is the only way they would be sure of a good road linking Iguita with Eyoazi as usual without a gully-cut. Oro is in dare need of leadership now to tow this course. We expect Hon Robinson to champion this cause being the most senior elected person in the nation for now. Rather what he is doing now is called catacosmesis. In moments of crisis he size up the situation in a flash, set his teeth, contract his muscles, take a firm grip on himself and, everyone watches expectant but without a tremor, he did the wrong things with the wrong people clapping and urging him on. The question is to where? He is on a bootless errand - mere distractions which would not lead anywhere as indicated by his disappointing or ineffective conclusion to a series of events of the last few days. If Oro failed to negotiate their destiny for 2015 they may lose their identity as a nation. This self serving red herrings must stop. James Abang Writes From Atte-Okiuso Village, UrueOffong/Oruko LGA (08037277620 SMS)
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 06:44:14 +0000