अक्वा इबो अदो ओके?

AKWA IBOM ADO OK?

Governor Godswill Akpabio in one of his remarks when he assumed office confessed that Uyo, the state capital, is more or less a glorified local government headquarters. Akpabio submitted that Uyo lacks the basic facilities and infrastructures that can qualify it to be called a state capital. Akpabio’s assertion is contrary to one of the slogans during the eight years of Obong Victor Attah’s administration that “I am still eyen Akwa Ibom.”

This slogan that was repeatedly aired on the state radio narrated the dilemma of an Akwa Ibom indigene that lives outside the state and has never visited the state since Attah became governor. The day he arrived the state capital he was so overwhelmed and confused with the “massive infrastructural development that his sense of geography and history failed him. He could not trace the road to his village because Uyo and other parts of the state were so transformed that anyone without a good knowledge of geography cannot navigate his way through the well paved and macadamized roads, skyscrapers and other world class facilities and structures that then dotted the skyline of the state.

Akpabio was a member of Attah’s cabinet during the former’s first and second tenure in office. Either Akpabio was blind to appreciate the development strides of Attah or there was no such development except in the creative mind of those behind that jingle “I am still eyen Akwa Ibom.” Having been part of Attah’s government, Akpabio should not be deceived with such slogans or jingles as they are not a true reflection of the situation of things in the state. He should remain focus, committed and dedicated to the task of making Uyo and all parts of Akwa Ibom state a model capital and state that would be the envy of other Nigerians in the comity of states.

For a product to be certified OK in Nigeria means it has been subjected to test by the Standard Organisation of Nigerian (SON) and meets the basic requirements for the production of such goods and it is deemed fit for human use or consumption. Who carried out the test of Akwa Ibom state to declare it okay? What were the parameters used to assess the state and certified it okay. Is the current level of development, infrastructures and facilities what we desired in Akwa Ibom state of our dream? Barely two years in office is the current Uyo Akpabio’s ideal state capital? What we have on ground now are they the benchmark for development? Have the Akwa Ibom people in entered their Canaan (or rather Land of Fulfillment). Or we are still walking towards it? I think we are still on our way to The Promised Land.

Akwa Ibom state may be okay to a few politicians, party stalwarts, political office holders, selected civil servants and few indigenes that have access to the public till or live off the commonwealth of the people. Akwa Ibom state is not okay for the woman who sells vegetable along Etuk Street in Uyo. Akwa Ibom is not okay for that Uniuyo undergraduate who undertakes commercial motorcycle business to pay his fees in the university. Akwa Ibom is not okay for the boy or girl who works as a house help or in a restaurant in every nook and cranny of the country.

Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when the state lacks basic facilities and amenities. Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when Uyo the state capital cannot boast of potable water. Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when Uyo does not have a reliable transportation system except okada. Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when Uyo does not have a state owned General Hospital? Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when taxi meant for public transportation have been hijacked by politicians and a few elites who have turned these cars into private usage. Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay merely because of the ongoing construction works in Uyo and other parts of the state; we look forward to their completion. The intentions are good but we desired to see the end products.

Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when the state cannot boast of a reliable health care delivery system at the primary and secondary health levels. Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when Holy Family College, Abak; Holy Trinity, Mbiakong; Lutheran High School are shadows of themselves and former students of these and other institutions cannot send their children to the schools they attended except they afford the fees of private schools. Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when the children of Akpabio and other government officials cannot attend the Primary School at Barracks Road, near the Governor’s Office Annex? Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when almost five years after the state university still exists on paper, yet it has produced two vice chancellors.

Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when access to social services is based on political affiliations and “loyalty.” Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when location of project or the choice or roads to repair are based on the political leanings of the communities and that of their leaders. Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when employment into the state civil service goes to those with political connections or to the highest bidder. Akwa Ibom state cannot be okay when kids from the state that should be in primary school are hawking sachet water in Port Harcourt and other cities in Nigeria. Akwa Ibom State cannot be okay when projects started by previous administrations have not been completed. Akwa Ibom cannot be okay when communities whose lands have taken over for government programmes and projects yet they have no amenities to compensate them for the land.

How can Akwa Ibom be okay when none of the moribund state-owned industries have been reactivated except Champion Breweries Uyo? How can Akwa Ibom be okay when unemployment and poverty are synonymous with the state? How can Akwa Ibom be okay when kidnapping and cultism are now business ventures? How can Akwa Ibom be okay when armed robbery is a thriving business? How can Akwa Ibom be okay when political participation is limited to a few persons and any one who indicates interest is seen as an enemy that must be stopped at all cost? How can Akwa Ibom be okay when already existing projects when repainted and commissioned are presented as newly executed projects?

Governor Akpabio should not be deceived by these praise singers and political jobbers who are singing his praises not for his achievements but for settlement. Akpabio should beware of these political propagandists as they would be the first to cast stones at him the moment he leaves office. They are after what they can get for themselves and have nothing to offer for the state. Akpabio should challenge his cheer leaders to come out with ideas on how to take the state to greater heights. These praise singers are a distraction and if Akpabio is not careful they may derail his focus only to turn around to castigate him. Your Excellency, do your job and posterity would write your name in diamond. Remember, diamonds are forever.

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