Governor Udom asked to address issues, not scapegoating _Group
A socio – political-cultural group, Onna Think Tank, has called on the Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, not to sweep under the carpet, issues raised by the immediate past commissioner for Works and Chief of Staff (CoS), Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, on why some road projects are not completed, instead of quickly firing him.
This remark was contained in a statement signed by the President of the group, Mr. Ime Alphonsus, and made available to journalists in Uyo yesterday.
The group which held the meeting in Lagos said it was wrong for the governor to ignore the issue of failed and abandoned projects scattered around the state while rushing to sack the CoS.
“We call on the governor to tell us why he has not finished a single road since the advent of his administration. We ask him to tell us what he did with the money he received to buy CCTV.
“He should tell us where the Mexican cows are and where the mini industries are. He should tell us how he managed the N171 billion refunds he received from the federal government. Let him tell us the true ownership structure of Ibom Air and whether some have been withdrawn or not.
“He said the governor should explain why he dribbled retired primary school teachers with failed promises of payment of gratuities and wondered if those old folks were his mates”.
According to the group, sacking Ephraim Inyang, would not solve the myriads of problems bedeviling the Akwa Ibom people, adding that, people of the state should tell the governor to respond to issues rather than using government funds to organise unnecessary endorsements and adoptions that are undemocratic.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Chief of Staff, to the governor Akparawa Ephriam Inyang, has responded to his removal by appreciating the governor for the opportunity given him to serve the state in two sensitive offices.
” I wish to sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel for the opportunity he gave me to serve as Commissioner for Works and most recently as his Chief of Staff.
I am grateful to him for having found me worthy to hold the two positions in his administration. And I am pleased I made a positive impact while I served.
“Let me also thank colleagues whom I served within the State Executive Council and by extension the larger Exco for their support and encouragement during my time as both Commissioner for Works and Chief of Staff.
“I equally thank the good people of Akwa Ibom State for availing me the opportunity to have served them in the two capacities so mentioned. I’m deeply grateful.
“Let me restate my loyalty to His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, and my unflinching support for his completion agenda.
I wish to state emphatically that I’ll continue to work for the betterment of our dear state wherever I find myself in the future.
My love for the state and our people remains unquenchable”, the letter read.