AKWA IBOM: THE WOW FACTOR
Infeanyi Nwosu reckons that Udom Emmanuel’s performance in office helps in selling Umo Eno to the people
The 2023 General Elections stand out as one of the fiercest contested elections in the history of Nigeria. The moments were historic as Nigerians filed out to cast votes in their respective polling units. Religious entrepreneurs, masquerading as prophets and seers, were humbled by the results that reflected the ultimate will for the people. Their forecast and predictions fell flat. Their anointed candidate they claimed, they saw via trance, could not ascend the throne.
For the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, technology shaped the outcomes of the polls. Despite inevitable glitches, the process was applauded by observers as free, fair and credible. Surprises were sprung from candidates without strong political platforms and pedigree, but clinched coveted positions through the transparency and the credibility of the voting process.
In Akwa Ibom State, it was a referendum of sorts on the sterling performance of the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel, who raised the bar of excellence in governance and created an oasis in Akwa Ibom, which was derided as a mere civil service state without viable economic prospects.
Today, under the watch of Governor Emmanuel, the state ranked top in the league of economically stable states, on a trajectory of sustainable growth. Emmanuel, an astute retired bank executive, was a shining star in the financial sector before he took up the responsibility to serve his people. He worked in the government as a cabinet member to further understand the working dynamics of the public service and the bureaucracy. When a lot of leadership fell on him in 2015, as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many were optimistic that Emmanuel will revolutionise governance and accelerate development of the state.
Emmanuel, as a corporate giant in politics, he didn’t disappoint millions of Akwa Ibom indigene who reposed their trust in him. He got to work immediately and redefine governance in the state and became a reference point in good governance.
He rolled out an ambitious and unambiguous five- point agenda – Wealth Creation, Economic and Political Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation, Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion, Job Creation. In a systematic and meticulous manner, Emmanuel kept his eyes on the ball as he delivered on promises he had in the social contract with Akwa Ibom people.
He focused on critical infrastructure that will fast track development across the state. In his eight years stint, Governor Emmmanuel constructed over 1700 kilometers of roads across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom.
The massive infrastructure championed by the governor served as the enabler for the industrial revolution and economic renaissance that is currently happening in Akwa Ibom State.
The governor stunned the world when he launched Ibom Air, a commercial airline that has become a big success story, not only in Nigeria but Africa at large. Governor Emmanuel broke the jinx, and kept Ibom Air in the Nigeria airspace to the admiration of the world.
Through the airline, the state has retained a reasonable share of the passengers’ spending on air travels. The scheme piloted with three aircraft reportedly have airlifted over 50,000 passengers within 100 days of operations. The airline recently added a new Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft to its fleet, the aircraft is fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which protects humans from 99 percent airborne microbes and other contaminants in the cabin.
On the success of the airline and its impact on the socio-economic outlook of the state, Governor Emmanuel submits, “Ibom Air has placed Akwa Ibom State on the international business pedestal, boosting the state’s corporate image and heightens her perception as a true highly – rated industrial destination”.
The Udom Emmanuel administration also upgraded infrastructure at the state-owned Victor Attah International Airport – overhauling of the hangar, building an international terminal and taxiway among others. He also mulled Aviation Academy, to provide and enhance training of aviation professionals.
The business-oriented leadership of Udom Emmanuel administration which created a friendly tax policies and viable business environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to flow in has further strengthened the manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing base of the state. Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, operating from Akwa Ibom is reputed to be the leader in production of Syringe, a medical consumable in high demand. Other industries thriving within the Onna Industrial Layout include the Lions Plywood factory, Kings Flour and electric digital solutions manufacturing factory.
In addition, two fertilizer blending plants are up and running in the state including three medium-scale rice mills. The Ibom Golden Rice Mill, owned by a local government cooperative society competes with another rice mill, Adricon Rice Mill in Ini local government area. These are silent agro-processing revolutions raging under the Udom Emmanuel administration.
All these and more, were the achievements that propelled the PDP Governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, into power. As the preferred candidate of the governor, the people were aware that their interest would be adequately taken care of. Hence, the massive votes they gave to the governorship candidate.
Pastor Eno won in 29 of the 31 local government areas in the state with a total of 354,348 votes to defeat his top challenger, Bassey Albert of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), who won in two local governments areas, scoring 136,262 votes.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akanimo Udofia, came third with 129,602 votes. The candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Labour Party scored 12,509 and 4,746 votes respectively.
Nwosu writes from Uyo
