By Asuquo Edem
“Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surrounding difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified” – Samuel Johnson
The author of the quote above must have taken into consideration few men in today’s world in the likes of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. A man who mounted the saddle of administration and leadership in Akwa Ibom State as governor when the economy of the nation was going through perilous times of recession.
Bringing his vast experiences to bear in the excellent management of scarce resources to deliver visible and life touching results.
Coming under a 5-point agenda on assuming office as governor on the 29th May 2015, three and a half years gone, it can be confidently said with all amount of conviction that governor Udom has not only actualized his agenda but has also laid a foundation and road map which has helped to create the much needed conducive atmosphere for investors to thrive even with the tough economic climate.
With the numerous milestones so far recorded, the governor is better repositioned for his second coming to the hilltop mansion to surpass the superior performance and position Akwa Ibom State as the industrial hub of Nigeria.
Captioning his second term manifesto “Completion Agenda”, Governor Udom was very clear on his desires in putting the State on an industrial map when he said “my completion agenda is to finish that which we started in 2015 and give finishing touches on my 5-point agenda. The completion agenda which will be pronged in nature comprising the continued drive for large scale Foreign Direct Investments and Active Development of Micro, Small, Medium, Enterprises is anchored on the 5-point agenda that has driven my administration since 2015”.
Giving strict assurances to give greater attention to industrialization, small, medium scale enterprises, Aviation Development, maritime security, rural and riverine area development, infrastructure, agriculture and human capacity development, the governor gave his word to not only successfully reduce dependence on statutory allocation as the main source of revenue to the State but equally improve internally generated revenue, enhance the already existing enabling environment so as to boost private investments while also creating more employment opportunities.
As clearly encapsulated in his star-studded manifesto, the major target on industrialization and investment would be to establish before he exits in 2023 at least one petroleum refinery, one fertilizer manufacturing plant, one steel plant, one liquefied natural gas plant in the State.
These may seem tall dreams but coming from a man who has made his mark in the financial industry and rising to its peak with profound experiences in investment, the above listed proposals are very feasible and realizable.
Top on the industrial agenda is the Ibom Industrial City (IIC), a state of the art industrial city that will foster innovation as well as attract investment and most importantly create jobs. According to Mr. Udom, the industrial city which occupies approximately 14,517 hectares of land where the deep seaport occupies 2,565 hectares is a Greenfield project being developed in line with the IIC and will function as a fully integrated new city with housing and all required infrastructure and services fully integrated with the Ibom Deep Seaport facility.
He expressed optimism that with the strategic effort of his technical committee on the Deep Seaport will be completed in time.
Knowing fully well the impact and part small and medium scale enterprise plays in the sustenance of the economy making up about 80%, the governor in his wisdom, laid a solid foundation for large scale industries in the State with the signing into law the Akwa Ibom Micro Enterprise Development Agency Bill.
The bill according to the governor targets to develop the entrepreneurial skills of indigenes of the State, facilitate easy access to capital, establish about 30,000 micro, small and medium scale businesses across the State, with a target of creating about 50,000 small and medium scale industries before leaving office in 2023 that will in turn drive the industrialization and economy of the State.
This is asides the governor’s intention in his “completion agenda” to encourage cooperative societies including the All Farmers Out Growers Scheme as well as give support to bodies like the Actors Guild and the PMAN.
Being a man who understands and is well vested with the rubrics surrounding finances and also the basis investment plays in grooming and growing the economy, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in his wisdom diversified investments to accomodate the Aviation Sector with the coming on board the Ibom Airline, with plans to establish a search and rescive centre, establish a flight training school and construction of power station to supply electricity to the airport.
“In my completion agenda, top on the blueprint, for aviation are the completion of the MRO, expansion of Ibom Airline operation and building of a main terminal at Victor Attah International Airport”.
The development of Rural and Riverine areas are not left out in the governor’s completion agenda in a bid to improve the standard of living in those areas.
Reason why he has given avowed assurances and zeal in ensuring that rural roads are constructed as well as establishment of cottage industries through the SME agenda.
Projects earmarked by the governor in his completion agenda for the riverine areas include tilapia aquaculture project, development of marine fisheries and fish farm estate projects, procurement and establishment of seafood processing facilities, targeting both the domestic and export market including fish production.
His continuous concern for the security of lives and properties has also been emphasized even as the State has attended the status of the most peaceful State in the country. This was a pivotal catalyst to attract the much needed investors with the multiplier effect of employment and increasing wealth of citizens of the State. The governor also pledged to put in all effort to tackle holistically any act of insecurity.
Aside the long list of roads marked out for construction after having constructed well over 1,000km of roads, the governor in his well spelt out completion agenda intends to improve the transport sector through the construction of landing jetties and waiting halls, rehabilitate beaches and terminals to aid maritime transportation, provide modern and gesthetic bus stops, establish a driving institute so as to regulate activities of driving schools, link the State to the ongoing Port-Harcourt-Abuja light rail among other projects.
In his commitment to provide safe, decent and accessible low-cost housing to citizens of the State, the governor intends through public private partnership, construct low and very low density houses and estates for the low and middle income groups as well as a unity estate for the high income earners. This, Mr. Udom intends to achieve through liaising with investors to construct civil servants quarters, completion of all low income housing projects in the State, develop a low density site and services estate in partnership with investors and also complete the Tropicana Hotel and conference centre.
The war against epileptic power supply would be continuous as the governor understands that power is the life wife of industrialization even with the coming of industries including the industrial city. The governor in his completion agenda has made concrete plans to bring about 24 hours power supply in all parts of the State. This he intends to achieve through the rehabilitation of Unit GTG, start-off of phase 2 of 500mw, extension of power supply to Ikot Abasi, provision of power supply to industrial park at Itam, constant power supply to Ibom Specialist Hospital and E-Library, procurement of transformers, conductors, armoured cables for overhauling of electrical facilities among other feasible projects to boost electricity supply in the State.
Education having been listed as one of the most prioritized agenda in the Udom Emmanuel led administration would continue to receive attention with the continuous provision of conducive environment for effective implementation of policies and programmes aimed at sustaining the ongoing free and compulsory education, awarding scholarships to deserving and exceptional students, employing more qualified teachers into primary, secondary and tertiary institutions as well as constructing and renovating more schools across the State.
Sectors such as sports, youth development, women empowerment and social welfare, information, science and technology, agriculture, environment and mineral resources, health and culture and tourism, would be given adequate attention as adequately captured in the governor’s completion agenda.
The governor having learnt great lessons in the past years, fully understands the task ahead in leading this great State. To overcome challenges as well as securing a greater future, he deserves our votes to make his second coming possible. The time to act is surely now!
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