Thirty six months after, the euphoria is still in the air largely due to the palpable joy and excitement for the priceless opportunity of witnessing change, a generational shift and indeed the inauguration of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio as the third democratically elected governor of the State. In 2006, Chief Akpabio defeated about 57 aspirants to become the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2007, he won resoundingly in the gubernatorial election which saw him emerging as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the ninth in the series both military and civil since the creation of the state.

From May 29, 2007, there has been no dull moment in Akwa Ibom State due to the zeal, determination and pragmatic ways the Governor is handling the affairs of state by putting the people first in the scheme of things.  His approach to governance has been bold, decisive, and methodical. He has left no one in doubt that he is in a hurry to develop the State. This, he is doing by embarking on unparalleled development projects that are changing the face of the State. Since assumption of office, Governor Akpabio has left no one in doubt as to his determination to turn the State around with the provision of infrastructure and service delivery to the people and providing an enabling environment for investors to partner the State for a change from a pedestrian state to a world class destination which is hoped will become the biggest economy within the Gulf of Guinea.

One of the greatest legacies, Governor Godswill Akpabio has bequeathed to the people of Akwa Ibom State is the free and compulsory Education policy. Under this policy, Akwa Ibom children of school age from primary to senior secondary level go to school free, a programme that has so far gulped over N10 billion. What makes the Akpabio brand of free education unique is in addition to free tuition, the State pays a subvention of N100 per primary school pupil and N300 per secondary school student to cater for logistics and expenses for the administration of each child so that the school heads would have no excuse to impose any form of levy whatsoever on the children.

Also, Governor Akpabio has ensured the provision of conducive learning environment in schools for the Akwa Ibom children through massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of school blocks, provision of science and laboratory equipment, construction of hostels and supply of desks. The provision of infrastructure in the state like roads, is without bias and discrimination to federal owned infrastructure. For instance, University of Uyo, a federal university has benefitted immensely through provision of facilities and construction of internal roads in the campus. The Governor has also embarked on the construction of an e-library in the State to serve as a reference centre for researchers in the State in particular and the south-south region generally. Indeed scholarship in Akwa Ibom has never had it so good.

There has been a renaissance in infrastructure as road construction has been second to none. Prior to the assumption of office by Governor Godswill Akpabio, various major roads, especially federal roads in the state were in very deplorable condition. Such roads as the Afaha Obong – Etim Ekpo, Iwukem road; Abak – Ikot Ekpene road; Nung Udoe, Itak – Use Ikot Amama road, Enin Nsit and Ikot Ekpene internal roads were completely impassable, thereby cutting off residents of those areas from activities of the state. In keeping with his electioneering campaign promises, upon assumption of office, Governor Akpabio awarded contract for the construction of the roads. So far over 205 roads covering more than 600km have been constructed. Reputable companies like Julius Berger, Setraco, Stemco, Gitto alongside indigenous companies handle the construction of these roads.

Akwa Ibom International Airport (AKIA) is one of the landmark projects which have attracted limelight and accolades to the government of Chief Akpabio. Taking it almost from scratch, work has been completed on the Interim domestic terminal (IDT) for Commercial operations as Dana Airlines now operate scheduled flight at the airport. Aero Contractors subsequently joined to operate commercial flights from the airport but the icing on the cake is the near completion of the National Hanger/Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) facilities.

The Ibom Power Plant Project (IPP), incorporated in 2001 as a special purpose company by the Akwa Ibom Investment Promotion Council (AKIIPOC), the investment arm of the Akwa Ibom State Government, has signed a 20-year agreement with Nigeria Gas Company for the supply of gas. To achieve its objective, the Akpabio-led administration has completed the Power Plant project to enable the state reap from the huge investment. According to Governor Akpabio, the Ibom Power Plant “occupies a strategic position in the quest of the government to fast-track the multi-faceted developmental strides of the State.”

The Ibom Power Plant located at Ikot Abasi, about 65 km from Uyo, the State capital, is adjacent to the Aluminium Smelter Company (ALSCON). The plant will generate 685 megawatts of power and is being implemented in two phases. Phase 1 will have a capacity of 191 MW while Phase 2 will be 505 MW. The plant is to enhance power generation in the South-South region of Nigeria through the existing national grid and to provide much-needed uninterrupted power supply to existing and future industries in the State and in the region.  The plant will be the catalyst for industrialization of the State.

Never has Uyo, the capital city received so much attention from an administration as under Governor Akpabio. As a matter of policy, the Governor has constructed dual carriage ways for all roads into Uyo, the State capital. Not long ago, the administration signed a contract for modernization of Uyo, to a status that befits a modern state capital under his urban renewal programme. As part of the project, new roundabouts and slip roads are being constructed to enhance traffic management and controls by introducing international construction design standards for the geometric designs of roads, their junctions and roundabouts. The project also comprises the beautification of street corridors using landscaping and the introduction of street furniture. And for the first time the administration has constructed concentric flyovers and installation of modern digital traffic lights to ease traffic.

In a move that promises to end the perennial flood problem in Uyo, the Governor has deployed “pipe jacking” technology, the first in sub-Saharan Africa to put an end to flood problem in the capital city in a project that has gulped about N13.8 billion. Under the pipe jacking method, water is channeled into well lubricated huge pipelines buried 40 meters under the ground passing through the discharge drain at Ekim Itam-Ikot Oku road, Uyo.

Agriculture is one of the most critical sectors of our economy. Government has the statutory responsibility of providing the needed enabling environment to ensure availability of adequate and affordable foodstuff for food security, supply of agro-based raw materials for industry, generation of employment, creation of wealth and economic emancipation of the people. In line with this therefore, government  formulated the policy thrust on Agriculture to cause a quantifiable annual growth in the production of cash crops, staple food, livestock and fish through institutional and infrastructural support for private, small, medium and large scale farmers.

Three years on, Governor Akpabio has reinvented the agricultural sector in Akwa Ibom State for increased food production and diversification of the State economy. The administration has entered into understanding with some foreign companies under Foreign Direct Investment in Agriculture for commercial agriculture. Organizations in Vietnam, United Kingdom, Israel and Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding for commercial production and processing of rice and palm oil in the state for export. The companies are funding the project 100%. The state government is providing the required minimum of 10,000 hectares of land for the project and is also to retain 22% of the net profit.

The administration has empowered 1,530 youths with N500, 000.00 each under the Integrated Farmers Scheme (IFS) 2009; and further approval for 910 participants for 2010 in addition to the 620 drawn from the 31 local government areas in 2009. It has also procured 180,000 metric tons food storage and processing infrastructure at Abak at the cost of N1.5billion under the Akwa Ibom State Reserve Food Programme, while N11billion has been voted for the accelerated livestock and fish production programme (ALFIPP) in the livestock and fisheries sub sector.

As a result of its investment in agriculture, over 4,000 jobs has been generated for Akwa Ibom people under the commercial Agriculture programme and also additional 1,500 direct employment opportunities through its various programmes and projects.

The health sector in Akwa Ibom has experienced an unprecedented revolution since the advent of the administration of Chief Akpabio.  The government has invested enormous financial resources through the Ministry of Health to revamp and restructure the sector in order to make health care delivery not only accessible and affordable for every Akwa Ibom person but also to ensure that nobody dies from a preventable disease. The situation in the health sector in Akwa Ibom State in May 2007 was pathetic. Healthcare delivery in the state was plagued by dilapidated physical structure; inadequate drug and consumable supplies and inadequate manpower across all cadres of health workers.

But three years on, the story has changed for the better with the Construction of a world class Specialist Hospital at Ekritam – 20th Anniversary Hospital and the Construction of Cottage Hospitals in Essien Udim, Ibeno, Ukanafun, Eastern Obolo and Ika. Procurement and commissioning of State-of-the-art ambulances for hospitals across the state and procurement of utility vehicles to 159 doctors in the State government employ to facilitate their transportation. The administration has also activated and expanded eight anti-retroviral therapy centers, 15 prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) centers and 37 HIV counseling and testing centers, all rendering free services.

Things that were unheard of in the state are happening as a matter of routine. For instance, the Akpabio administration has built an oxygen plant at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, the first in the history of the State. University of Uyo again benefitted from the Governor’s largess with the donation of N50million to its Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and building of a pediatrics block. There has also been high immunization coverage to eradicate polio and all other childhood killer diseases. To cap it up, children, pregnant women and the elderly receive free medical treatment in the state.

One of the basic necessities of man is shelter and Governor Akpabio is vigorously tackling the housing needs of the people. As a promise keeper, he has kept to his avowed pledge of providing modern and affordable houses to the people of the State. In line with this, work is ongoing on the construction of 10,000 modern and affordable houses for the Akwa Ibom populace. The Governor has built 310 prime units mini estates at 10 per local government in all the Local Government Areas mainly for local government chieftains. The project is undertaken through the State/Local Government Joint Account Committee. In a record time of just 14 months, the state witnessed the construction of a functional Governor’s Lodge complex.

Governor Godswill Akpabio has been very passionate about the development of rural communities in the State. Accordingly, several measures have been put in place for the transformation of the rural areas which include complete take-over of rural electrification projects from the local governments to ensure that rural communities are linked to the national grid on or before 2011. The administration also reconstructed the collapsed concrete bridge at Ikot Abia Enye at the cost of N65, 052,240.00. Communities which had hitherto been cut off because of broken down bridges have been linked up again.

Water is a fundamental human need necessary for the survival of man. Every human requires at least 20 to 50 liters of clean, safe water daily for survival and domestic purposes. As a passionate and pragmatic leader, Chief Akpabio has continued to work towards ensuring that water is adequately supplied to the different sections of the State - the rural communities, urban centers and semi-urban centers.

To this end, government has reinvigorated different institutions and organs and given them the mandate to provide portable water to all sections of the State. These include: the Akwa Ibom Water Company limited, the Akwa Ibom Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (AKRUWATSAN), the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC) and the Ministry of Rural Development.  This is an expression of Government's commitment towards a result-based system of water supply to the masses of the State.

There is no doubt that serious concerns have been expressed over security challenges posed in the state. However, the administration of Governor Akpabio has not rested on its oars to ensure the safety of lives and property. In a deliberate effort to tackle holistically the challenges of insecurity in the state, the State governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio, stated unequivocally at the commencement of his administration: “the enviable position we occupy as a safe state in the Niger Delta region must be maintained at all cost. This is the only way by which the much needed investors, with the multiplier effect of employment for our people, can be encouraged and sustained.” Thus, the governor is ready to do all it takes to guarantee that Akwa Ibom is safe at all times.

Today, the Administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio has put in place measures to forestall a breakdown of law and order through the formation of the joint security task force code named Aduma; Procurement of over 90 Hilux patrol vehicles for Aduma and the police for pre-emptive operations against violent crimes in the State; Provision of Armored Personnel Carriers and Support to Gun Boats operation in the coastal areas; Logistics support to security agencies, especially the anti kidnapping squad among others.

Information management is very crucial in the development of any organization or institution, even as re-orientation is important for the shaping of the mental process of the people.  The need to keep the governed abreast with the programmes and policies of government is therefore very vital, especially in a democratic setting such as the present day government. In keeping with this knowledge the Akpabio-led government has vigorously harnessed the information machinery in the State for good governance through the procurement and commissioning of a digital ultra-modern OB van for AKBC; Supporting the 24hours transmission by AKBC television; Sets up Media and Citizen’s Feedback Centre; Provision of mini-water supply for the NUJ press centre; Expansion of pioneer Newspaper from a 2 times a week outing (Monday and Weekend Pioneer) to 4 editions (Monday, Midweek, Weekend and Sunday Pioneer), as well as rendering detailed information on the state to a global audience through a dynamic data driven website at www.aksgonline.com.

Since assumption of office Governor Godswill Akpabio has continued to vigorously tackle the issues of youths and Sports development in the State.

These policy thrust of government in this sector is to improve the welfare of the young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years through empowerment for self actualization as well as promoting and popularizing sports in all its ramifications. The administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio has placed a high premium on sports as a tool for youth mobilization and development with the philosophy of catching them young. To this end, the administration has developed school sports by organizing football, track and field competitions in primary and secondary schools for the discovery of new talents in the various sports for future development.

To fast-track youth and sports development in the state, the administration had embarked on the renovation of Uyo sports stadium to provide facilities for adequate preparation of athletes for better outings at national and international competitions. The administration has also concluded plans to construct a 30,000 capacity stadium and a comprehensive sports park. It would be a one stop sports arena with up-to-date sports facilities, outdoor and indoor facilities. We learnt that design and other preliminary work is on and it is expected to be delivered in 2011.

Indeed the success story of the Akpabio administration is such that not even his critics have been able to fault him in terms of achievement because so much has been accomplished these past three years that people have often wondered aloud, “So government can work.” There is no doubt that the people have stood by Governor Godswill Akpabio in the last 36 months. There is a general consensus that Governor Akpabio has justified the mandate given to him by the Akwa Ibom people. 36 months on, we are experiencing an unprecedented transformation of the state. 36 months on, what we now have is what has come to be known as uncommon transformation.

In the face of the unparalleled transformation, the state is still faced with challenges of development. The journey to Eldorado is being pursued with vigour. For Governor Akpabio, Akwa Ibom ought not to be where it is presently. He would not rest until he commences international flights and cargo operations from Ibom International Airport. He envisages a state with dualized roads from the capital city to Ibom Industrial City; from Eket to Uyo; Abak to Uyo and many more. For Akpabio, education should be free and a right up to the tertiary level. He envisions a state with uninterrupted power supply, hinging this hope on the completion of the gas pipeline project by Seven Energy for constant supply of gas to power the 191 megawatts Ibom Power Plant. It is for this reason that the people have overwhelmingly adopted him for a second term to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

Aniekan Umanah is the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Social-reorientation