AKPABIO: WHY IMPORT FOREIGN CHORISTERS FOR XMAS CAROLE?

It could be madness of fund availability that Governor Godswill Akpabio decides the way to spend the stupendous resources of Akwa Ibom people. In December 2009, the governor siphoned to This Day management our N140million commonwealth in a project they called “Peace Concert”, which involved mainly Amercian Hip-Pop musicians with none of Akwa Ibom artistes abound. Uyo Stadium was the venue of the Concert but the angry masses at the event pelted the governor with canned drinks, pure-water sachets, shoes, etc before he was hurried away from the venue and one person was killed in the process, from gunshots of governor’s security.

This (2010) Xmas celebration, the governor again imported 35-piece choristers from South Africa to participate in Xmas Carol. Their appearance cost Akwa Ibom people the sum above =N=100million, in fees and flights. One wonders why the popular Apostolic Choir located at Anthony Village, Lagos did not cross the governor’s mind, if he was desirous of guest choristers? Apostolic Choir would not have cost up one-tenth of what he doled out to South Africans. His Excellency forgets that Akwa Ibomites are pauperized and traumatized people, in the midst of plenty.

It is on good record that only our governor has a permanent suite in the prestigious Abuja NICON-Noga Hotel & Towers; the rent of which runs whether the governor is in Abuja or not whereas Akwa Ibom has a very befitting and imposing Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. One needs to bring in, at this juncture, the unfulfilled Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre which more than N20 billion was confirmed (by the governor) paid out to a Contractor to get the first phase ready in order to give our 5,000 youths jobs. No one is saying anything about this even as the governor parades same project as one of his great achievements.

Summary of these ‘mad’ expenditures shows that the governor may be lacking in management of our commonwealth yet he still receives N1.8billion monthly as Security Vote. This issue has made much round in the media and the government has refused to deny it; it then means that it could be higher than the figure being written. It is not good to wait for a revolution before a governor knows the limit he can stretch the patience of the governed. Nigeria is not running government of Emperors.

Asuquo Edet, 345 Ikwerre Road, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.