After a transparent primary, the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District resolved to vote for progress couched in the persona of Gov. Godswill Akpabio. ABDUL RAHMAN ALIAGAN writes on the giant strides recorded by the amiable governor and why he may have an easy ride into the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.
This ambition initially pitched him against the senator currently representing his senatorial district, Senator Aloysius Akpan Etok. The cold war over who represents Ikot Ekpene in the next political dispensation has, however, been put to rest as Akpabio clinched the ticket to run for the plum legislative job.
Akpabio is not the only second term governor in the current political dispensation who will swell the horde of former governors retiring to the red chamber of the upper legislative arm. The plan to join the League of former Governors in the Red Chamber was not a surprise to many, particularly Akwa Ibomites, given the governor’s scorecard.
Today, Akwa Ibom has become the showcase state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) given the tremendous transformation in human and infrastructural development.
On April 24, 2007, a new dawn set in Akwa Ibom as Akpabio was elected governor of the state. The man, who is always driven by passion, did not renege in his promises to deliver on the mandate and confidence reposed in him.
In 2011, Akpabio was re-elected governor after running a campaign anchored on the same slogan, “Let God’s will be done again.” It was on this basis that the state continued its transformations in sectors after sectors. Akpabio’s leadership style had motivated and shaped an entire generation of Akwa Ibom people and it has become a metaphor for administrative excellence.
There is no gainsaying that Akwa Ibom has witnessed development in the last seven years of the Akpabio-led administration. Education has not only been made free but also made compulsory as students enrolment has increased greatly while over 4,560 classrooms blocks have been built and many others rehabilitated.
In his drive to open up the state to global economic activities, Akpabio embarked on Ibom International Airport project which he met at site-clearing level and had since completed the first phase of the airport with 3.6 km runway.
The airport comes with maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility. Domestic and international flight operations had since commenced at the airport. Work has also commenced on the building of the state-of-the-art terminal building of the airport and another runway. So far the airport has become the fastest growing in the history of aviation in Nigeria, with the main administrative block already completed.
On assumption of office, Akpabio made a remarkable declaration that death never makes a distinction between federal roads and state roads and therefore repaired all roads to check auto-accidents. Many of these roads are dual carriageways with streetlights.
Other landmarks are over 300 new roads with flyovers and bridges where necessary, construction of a brand new state-of-the-arts Governor’s Lodge, construction of West Africa’s first digital library–the Ibom E-Library.
A state-of-the-arts facility with capacity for multifarious internet utilization and over 60 million eBooks have been put in place.
The governor also declared a state of emergency in the health sector through implementation of free healthcare programme for children (five years and under), expectant mothers and the elderly.
The Ibom Power Plant project was at 65 percent level of completion when Akpabio assumed office. It currently generates 191 megawatts coupled with construction of a gas processing plant, Ibom Gas Plant with a 69 km of pipeline.
It now supplies gas to the Ibom Power Plant.
This development has ignited a comprehensive rural electrification scheme which has linked an additional 1,700 communities to the national grid through 800 electricity projects. His administration has, therefore, achieved over 85 percent electricity coverage, from the 35 percent level he met on assumption of office in 2007.
Akwa Ibom is today one of the hot tourist destinations in the country with the construction of a world-class business and entertainment resort – the Tropicana Entertainment Centre. This one-stop entertainment facility comes with a five-star, 250-room hotel housed in 16-storey edifice; an ultra modern shopping mall; an international Convention Centre with a seating capacity for 5,000 people; games parks (wet and dry); a Cineplex (already completed and open to the public) and a monorail among others.
Agriculture has also been a good tool for empowerment, particularly with the Women Agro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WAEDEP) under the Integrated Farmers Scheme, in which young school leavers are given money to start farming after a three-month period of training.
While creating employment, the Akpabio government has also ensure security of lives and property. Provision of patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and gunboats have been procured to boost security operations in the state. Akpabio equally launched two security outfits, “Operation Thunder” and “ Quick Response Squad.” These have checked the activities of kidnappers and led to a drastic decrease in crime in the state.
The Akpabio-led administration has ensured strong synergy between government and its workforce with improved welfare packages.
The high point of this is the regular payment of a thirteenth month bonus salary every December. No doubt, Akpabio is a labour-friendly governor. The administration is also set to construct 10,000 housing units in the state before 2015. So far, there are already on ground over 1,000 units under the first phase consisting of 2,000 housing units spread over the three Senatorial Districts.
These uncommon transformation that has been taking place in Akwa Ibom has made Akpabio’s candidacy for the senate more appealing to the ordinary people, having seen, felt and touched the dividends of democracy.
As history was made again recently in Uyo during the conduct of the primaries in which the governor garnered 98 percent vote, the people of this senatorial district are set reap more dividends of democracy.
Pledging another phase of development in the state now as would-be-senator, Akpabio said: “I had 98% of the votes. That is why when I emerged I made a pledge to them, I told them their lives will never be the same again, either in the educational sector or in infrastructure”.
Undoubtedly, Akpabio has succeeded in raising the bar in all-round-development of Akwa Ibom. This will certainly translate into the much needed votes for him in the upcoming election into the Senate.
