THE WAY OF SQUANDERING AKWA IBOM RESOURCES

At times I wonder whether it does not occur to (our) Governor Godswill Akpabio that he has too many sycophants surrounding him; just like some leaders do. Sycophants urge leaders to mistakes; all they are after is what they would gain. This seems to be our governor’s portion.

From the inception of Akpabio’s administration, Abuja remains extension of Akwa Ibom and NICON Hotel, extension of Governor’s Lodge, Uyo . It is now a common knowledge; if you want to know when our governor is in (town) Abuja, all you need do is go to the lobby of Abuja NICON Hotel. Once you see Akwa Ibomites milling around you need not seek further. Governor Akpabio maintains a permanent Presidential Suite at the top class hotel. This is happening at a time Akwa Ibom has a befitting Governor’s Lodge in Abuja that would conveniently accommodate the governor and his entourage whenever they visit Abuja. It is a known fact that before the former governor, Obong Victor Attah, constructed the imposing Abuja Governor’s Lodge, he (Attah) stayed at the less impressive former Governor’s Lodge Abuja. He never one day thought of wasting Akwa Ibom money at any hotel. One wonders why Governor Akpabio could not emulate the good parts of his mentor. 

Another area that the present government in Akwa Ibom wastes people’s funds is in all the honorary awards he has been collecting from every Tom, Dick and Harry. We all know that those awards are paid for with Akwa Ibom money; apart from the normal huge expenses as a result, our funds are also used in chartering aircrafts and luxury vehicles and honorarium for the accompanying members of his entourage. And each time any award is collected, the quantum of advertisements that accompany it, before and after the ceremonies, tends to make the public believe that our Governor was the only recipient at the event. All the advertisements are paid from Akwa Ibom purse and ridiculously this sends wrong signal that posited our governor as unserious, whereas it could be the handiwork of sycophants.

If only the Governor would have a rethink on the above and other similar matters, it will do him better than bad.

Akpabio Ini, Plot 2 Bello Close, Garki, Abuja.