Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Social Oreintation, Anikan Umanah, in this interview with Chuks Okocha, gives an insight into efforts being made to transform the state

How would you rate the performance of Governor Godswill Akpabio so far? 
Successive governments have vigorously pursued the development of the state after years of neglect.  The present administration under Governor Godswill Akpabio has tailored its transformational policies towards the development of all sections, and all parts of the state. Since his assumption of office, Akpabio has left no one in doubt as to his determination to turn the state around through the provision of infrastructure and service delivery to the people as well as an enabling environment for investors to come and partner with government in order to bring about positive developments. Our plan is to make the state a world class destination which is hoped will become the biggest economy within the Gulf of Guinea. That is why all sectors are given adequate attention. For instance in the field of education, one of the greatest legacies 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 go to school free of charge from primary to secondary level.  Also, the government has ensured the provision of a condusive learning environment in schools through massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools’ blocks, provision of science and laboratory equipment, construction of hostels and supply of desks among other projects.

What other sectors has the government laid emphasis on?
Prior to the assumption of office by Governor Godswill Akpabio, various major roads, especially federal roads were in very deplorable condition.  But today, we have well-constructed, paved and asphalted roads traversing all the nooks and cranniies of the state. The government has constructed dual carriage ways for all roads leading to Uyo, the state capital. The government has also bought one grader for each of the 31 local government areas to ensure periodic maintenance of rural roads. In agriculture, you know with the looming global food crises, coupled with his zeal to ensure food security for the teeming people of the state, the governor initiated various programmes to boost agriculture and food production. These include procurement of 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. The government also converted the state College of Agriculture, Obio Akpa to a campus of the Akwa Ibom State University with a view to boosting man power needs in the sector. In addition to this, the government has fully supported externally-funded programmes such as Fadama, community based natural resources management programme (CBNRMP), IFAD-assisted rural finance institution building programme (RUFIN) and World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria poverty alleviation programmes. Importantly, we have generated 4,000 jobs for Akwa Ibom people under the commercial agriculture programme and also generated additional 1,500 direct employment opportunities through its various programmes and projects.

One problem Akwa Ibom has been facing since its creation is lack of sizeable industries to drive the state’s industrialization plan.

What is the present administration doing to address that inadequacy?
First of all, we boosted the Ibom Power Plant Project (IPP) which was 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. So far, the company has signed a 20-year agreement with Nigeria Gas Company for the supply of gas for its operations. So to achieve its objectives, the Akpabio-led administration has completed the Power Plant project to enable the state to reap from the huge investment. 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 Power Plant is located at Ikot Abasi, about 65 kilometres from Uyo, the state capital. It is adjacent to the Aluminium Smelter Company (ALSCON).  The plant will be the catalyst for industrialization of the state.

You have to realize the fact that the governor, in realization of the potency of industrialization in the transformation of the society, places high premium on the rapid industrial development of the state. To this end, the government has worked toward the identification of industrial raw materials available in the different local government areas of the state, through a resource survey. Other programmes and achievements of government towards the industrialization of the state include attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and promotion of public private partnership (PPP) to boost the sector. The government has also enhanced the manpower issues needed to drive the burgeoning industrial and commercial activities in the state. In addition to that, we have provided conducive environment for the development of small and medium enterprises (SME) as well as large scale industries and consortiums in the State.

Importantly, the government has developed a blueprint to guide the state’s industrial development policy. You may recall that barely two months into office as the state governor, Akpabio elevated all issues pertaining to land with the creation of an autonomous Ministry of Lands and Town Planning from the former Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The site for Ibom Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone was set aside at Ibaka, Mbo/Ibeno local government areas while the state’s North Industrial Estate was also developed. Also, Ekit Itam Akpan Obong in Itu Local Government area was set aside for the state’s integrated Solid Waste Management Agency, among other initiatives. To go with all these, the government reviewed the Uyo master plan and draft master plan for three urban centres of Eket, Ikot Abasi and Ikot Ekpene. All these are geared towards realizing set objectives for the development of industries, and other sectors of the state.

If you will also notice, Governor Akpabio has been very passionate about the development of rural communities in the state.  The implementation of the tripartite Japanese, federal and state government’s electrification aid grants at Nsit Atai is in progress while electricity supply has been improved in areas like Ukana Ikot Akpabio in Essien Udim Local Government area.

Governor Akpabio is running for a second term come next year. What do you think are his chances for re-election?
I think you have to visit Akwa Ibom to really know the extent to which the governor is loved by the people. The general conclusion among the people of the state is that he has performed his duties well and there is the need to allow him another four years to complete the work he has started. He has modernized the state in all ramifications so his chances for re-election are 100 per cent bright. Honestly, there is no one attempting to stop him in 2011. The entire state is grateful for his contributions and the only way we can show our appreciation to him is to ensure he returns to power next year. I have no doubt in my mind that he will get the mandate, and we will continue to pray to God to give him the strength of character, vision and foresight to continue developing the potentials of Akwa Ibom and its people.