Critics decry wastage as Akwa Ibom gov takes exco retreat to Lagos

The four-day retreat organised by the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos State, has come under heavy criticism from the people of the state, who view it as a waste of public funds.

While some stakeholders consider the development reckless and wasteful on the part of the Governor, others are less concerned about the perceived extravagance, stating that the benefits of the retreat would not be meaningful without post-event feedback from the Akwa Ibom populace.

Governor Umo Eno, at the opening of the retreat on Monday, stated that it was intended to integrate newcomers into his cabinet, including his Delivery Advisors, to enhance the actualisation of his Arise Agenda for the development of Akwa Ibom.

According to the Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC), Zik Gbemre, “It is absolute recklessness for the Akwa Ibom government to take a squandering jamboree to a high-end Lagos hotel in the name of an 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 further proof that Governor Eno professes prudence on paper but fails in reality. A Lagos retreat—of what value—that cannot be held in 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 are being used to engage in a political jamboree in Lagos. It’s a sad commentary that must not be encouraged.

“Governor Eno recently mocked Akwa Ibomites for 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—a 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.”

Saviour Akpan, Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding, also criticised the retreat for taking a step without a strategic plan.

“I suggest the State Statistician be empowered to conduct a study that will help develop a strategic plan for the state, which will aid in building Akwa Ibom State’s economic development.

“Additionally, there should be post-summit citizen surveys to evaluate each of the ministries on performance and progress towards sustainable economic growth and development.

“One of the challenges to economic development in Nigeria is the lack of a strategic plan devoid of regime survival colouration. An economic blueprint is supposed to outlive administrations.

“I am urging Governor Eno to take the lead and set a standard for the economic development of the state that will emerge from an all-inclusive survey and input, which can be easily accessible to citizens and used to monitor and measure progress and lessons learnt.

“This should include recruitment into the state civil service, security and justice delivery, including updating and digitalising the state laws for easy access, and above all, reducing praise-singing through the capacitation of the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation Commission to continually sensitise the populace on the dangers 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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