- It’s reckless, wasteful jamboree -NDPC
- It’s not meaningful without a strategic plan -Akpan
By Egufe Yafugborhi
UYO – MIXED reactions are pouring over ongoing four days retreat of Akwa Ibom State Executive Council (EXCO) retreat holding at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos state.
Governor Umo Eno at the opening of the retreat Monday had said it was intended to integrate newcomers into his new cabinet including his highly regarded Delivery Advisors for enhanced actualization of his Arise Agenda for the development of Akwa Ibom.
While some stakeholders consider the development as reckless and wasteful of the Governor, others less concerned about the perceived underpinning wastage say the benefits of the retreat would not be meaningful without post-event feedback from the Akwa Ibom populace.
Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC) with Zik Gbemre as National Coordinator stated, “It’s reckless for an Akwa Ibom government to take a squandering jamboree to a high-end Lagos hotel in the name of EXCO retreat.
“And some people are saying the choice of Lagos was to avoid distractions. How puerile? Governor Sanwo-Olu has been holding more impactful EXCO retreats and he doesn’t take the team out of Lagos.
“This is another proof Governor Eno professes prudence on paper against the reality. Lagos retreat of what value it can’t be held on Akwa Ibom? For a cabinet of the same recycled usual suspects that have been running Akwa Ibom.
“For us, there is more to it than a retreat. And painfully, this is wasteful. Governor Eno is encouraging capital flight from a state with the highest multidimensional poverty in the South-South.
“Public funds that should deliver relief to suffering Akwa Ibomites is taken to engage in a political jamboree in Lagos. It’s a sad commentary that must not be encouraged.
“Governor Eno recently mocked Akwa Ibomites of liking big titles too much without matching commitment to delivering the demands of such titles. He too is guilty of this attitude. He’s been obsessed with introducing flamboyant designations into his cabinet.
“The latest he is crazy about is Delivery Advisors, sheer big name to glorify mere project monitors. It’s pure duplication of cabinet appointees and he thinks he can fool the people by decorating them as delivery advisors. Not everybody is being fooled.”
However, Saviour Akpan, Executive Director, COMPPART Foundation For Justice and Peacebuilding, his concern was not on the perceived associated wastage but of displeasure over a “retreat without a strategic plan.”
Akpan reflected, “I suggest the State Statistician be empowered to conduct a study that will help develop a strategic plan for the state which will help in building Akwa Ibom State spec of economic development.
“Also, there should be post-summit citizens surveys that will help in evaluating each of the Ministries on performance and evaluation towards sustainable economic growth and development.
“One of the challenges to economic development in Nigeria is lack of strategic plan devoid of regime survival colouration.
Economic blueprint is supposed to outlived administrations.
“I am urging Governor Eno to take the lead and set a standard for economic development of the state that will come out of an all inclusive surveys and input that can be easily accessible by citizens and same use to monitor and measure progress and lesson learnt.
“This will include, recruitment into the state civil service, security and justice delivery including updating and digitalizing the state laws for easy access and above all, reduction in praise singing through the capacitation of the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation commission to continually sensitive the populace on the danger of clapping hands for ATM machines for paying them their hard earned money.
“The retreat outcomes should also enlighten the Governor on the need to sign some important legislations such as The Disability Law, Youth Law etc.”
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