WHITHER IBOM TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Dear Editor

WHITHER IBOM TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Governor Akpabio promised Akwa Ibom people that he would provide 5,000 jobs from the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre’s first phase by March, 2010. He proclaimed this with an advertisement he authored, published in Saturday Vanguard of 19/9/09 page 22. The project was awarded for N33billion and before an acceptable design was ready N11billion was paid the contractor. Governor Akpabio confirmed this in his interview in The Nation newspaper of 18/9/09.

Akpabio’s predecessor/mentor, a respected architect, Obong Victor Attah advised Akpabio that the 12 hectares (then) allotted the project was inadequate. He as well noted that the project sited on erosion way and added that it would not add economic value to the pauperized average Akwa Ibom person. Akpabio abused Attah thoroughly but at the same time quietly adopted part of the counsel hence increasing the area to 82 hectares. Akpabio has been making moves to beg Attah in secret.

Just like Akwa Ibom beloved daughter and one of Akpabio’s benefactor, Chief (Mrs.) Christy Essien Igbokwe, MFR drew the curtain in her interview published in Saturday SUN (4/12/10) marking her 50th birthday anniversary: Referring to the celebrated lie Akpabio’s administration told against her family and expecting Akpabio to apologise publicly, she said - “It is just a small thing (for Akpabio) to say, ‘I am sorry that I made a mistake”; insinuating that putting full page advertisement in the media praising her achievements was not it.

More than two years after paying N11billion advance to Silverbird, the Tropicana Centre project’s foundation has collapsed yet Akpabio is advertising it among his achievements. When Akwa Ibom Good Governance Organization took him up on this April 2010, he shifted it to Silverbird (the contractor) that gave a watery explanation with promise to deliver the first phase by September 2010. This proved a mirage.

It has been discovered that further commonwealth of Akwa Ibom people was released to the contractor who adjusted the project cost to a new figure put above N86billion. At this point, it is only the governor who can tell Akwa Ibomites the true position of things but he is not forthcoming. It is criminal to fail doing so.

Obong Nse Archibong, 288 Ikwerre Road, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.