Eno: Accountability My Focus in the Governance of A’Ibom

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr  Umo Eno, has said that accountability is his focus in the governance of the state as he only holds the position in trust for the governed.

Governor Eno spoke at the Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance held ìn Uyo, with the theme  “Imperatives of Good Governance In Nigeria.”

The governor, who was the guest speaker, identified accountability as a template for good governance, noting that he was committed to the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

He told the participants that he has mandated commissioners and heads of agencies to brief the public on activities of their department to keep the 7.9 million residents of the state abreast with activities of their offices.

Accòrding  to the governor, as he is being accountable to the people, “I want my commissioners to begin to step out and say the things they are doing in their ministries. Let the people hear. Let them talk about the ministry that they are in charge.”

“These are ways to try to be accountable, to let the people know that we are not in office for ourselves. We have about 7.9 million people in this state, and it is a sacred responsibility.

“We need to each day show to the people that we are here to serve them”, he stated.

The governor  described his ARISE Agenda development blueprint as the compass to navigate the programmes of his administration.

Eno  announced plans to flag off the One-Per- Local Government Project which he described as a development catalyst in the grassroots, saying the project would be signature projects in every local government area of the State within two years . “In five months of being in office, we have tried to show the direction we want to go, and we have tried to stay on our campaigns promises through the ARISE Agenda.

“The ARISE Agenda has become for us, a compass of which we want to follow.

“If we steadily follow that Agenda, we will add to the developmental strides of our predecessors and will touch the lives of our rural dwellers, and help them feel the presence of government.

“In the next few days, we will be flagging off the 31 projects, chosen by the Local Governments because we want them to own those projects. So they chose the projects they want for their local governments.

“This is not just going to be the end. We believe that within six months, we should be able to execute those projects,  then go round again to chose another set of projects. Our vision is that within the first two years, we should be able to have at least four projects each in the 31 local Government Areas of our State.

“We are giving six months window to finish one of them. This is where we create jobs in the local government, and we try to enrich and enhance the livelihood of those local governments.”

He said that the Ibom Leadership Empowerment Centre is currently training 400 personnel who would graduate with starter packs and cash to enable them set up their businesses, create employment and grow the economy .

The governor commended Chief Emeka Anyaoku on whose capacity the lecture series was held and spoke of him as a rare gem and a beacon of hope for the future generations.

 He described him as legendary for distinguishing himself as an advocate of good governance in the country.

He said the choice of the State for the 12th annual Lecture Series was apt and commended the organisers of the event, Youth Affairs International Foundation,  for their decision to immortalise Chief Anyaoku.

Earlier, Chief  Anyaoku noted that the lecture was first hosted by former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fasola followed by his home State, Anambra where Governor Peter Obi honoured him as the host and now Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of Mr Umo Eno who has taken the turn by hosting the  12th in the series.

He expressed delight at the gesture having come from a state that has showcased good governance from the past leadership to the present which anchors good governance on the ARISE Agenda.

He said his presence was his first visit to the State and admired the ambience,  commending Governor  Umo Eno led-administration for his passion in  education , healthcare delivery , agriculture and creating a turn around in grassroots development.

He maintained that Akwa Ibom has set the template for good governance in the country.

He thanked the guest lecturer, Professor Ehosa E. Osaghae, for giving justice to the discourse by delivering an extempore lecture, describing his discourse as apt to the Nigerian State and thanked the organisers of the Lecture, Youths Affairs International Foundation under the leadership of Justin Ogbona for the gesture.

He said the analysis and  postulations in the lecture have brought about good governance in Akwa Ibom  State thereby setting the pace for others to emulate.

Chairman on the Occasion, Professor Enefiok Essien , noted that good governance is desirous in the country to give the people a sense of participation in governance and drive development.

He said the choice of Akwa Ibom State was apt as good governance has taken its root in the State evident in the inclusivity, distribution of projects  and composition of the State Exco .

The keynote speaker, Prof Osaghae, had said a behavioural approach to how institutions are set up and work is key to good governance.

He identified the rule of law, trust and confidence, credibility, transparency, constitutionalism, human rights and access to justice as foundations of good governance.