Udom Emmanuel Should Cut Short His Celebration
Now that Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has the nod of the Supreme Court to continue as governor, he should cut short his celebration and settle down to the challenges of developing this star-crossed state. There is no iota of development in this hapless state in the last 16 years. Akwa Ibom has simply been sleeping with its huge resources stolen by corrupt and inept leadership. They simply stole Akwa Ibom dry. There is too much suffering in Akwa Ibom State, with very few people having access to the basic amenities of life - public water supply, quality education, healthcare, food, good roads and the rest of them. The tattered public schools across the state are an eye sore in an oil-rich state. Udom should visit public schools in Oyoku Asang and Okisu communities, both in Okobo Local Government Area of the state to understand what I am saying. Here, pupils sit on bare floor in ramshackle classrooms. What a shame!
Again, Udom must allow the local governments to function. At present, the state’s 31 local governments exist only on paper. The era of hijacking funds in the joint account must stop. The 10% from the state’s IGR that should go to the LGs must be implemented. I will also like to see an end to the profligate Christmas carol that gulps billions of Naira annually in the state. This must not continue amidst so much poverty in the state. It must not continue in a state where local government workers are being owed 8 to 10 months’ salaries. This is a state where newly recruited civil servants have not received a single salary in almost one year. Going forward, commissioners and other political appointees that have spent almost 9 years in government should be liquidated immediately by Udom and fresh blood brought into government. Udom cannot afford to fail the distressed people of Akwa Ibom State.