Media Aide to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on New Media, Rev. Richard Peters, has carpeted Policy Alert, a civil society organisation, over unnecessary negative publications against the new administration in the state.
The observation by the media aid was contained in a release by the aid on Wednesday, made available to the Tribune in Uyo.
According to it, “Governor Umo Eno’s disposition of transparency in financial matters has vindicated him from several accusations and orchestrated falsehoods peddled by some compromised groups whose stock in trade is to distract the government.
“Several publications by Policy Alert about Governor Umo Eno’s administration that are barely five months and 10 days old today seem to confirm the position of some critics that the group is a ready tool in the hands of the opposition to feed people wrong data and information.
“While I may not attempt to believe such a stance from a civil society organisation that claims to promote fiscal and ecological justice in the Niger Delta, there is a need for one to verify facts, double-check, and even triple-check, to avoid publishing falsehoods.”.
The Tribune reports that the Policy Alert claimed that the supplementary budget submitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly included appropriations for projects already commissioned, 90 SUVs for the office of the Secretary to the State Government, and also accused the government of borrowing heavily, among others.
Rev. Peters said that his recent investigations triggered by the claims have revealed that they are unfounded and inundated with lies.
“During Governor Umo Eno’s campaigns, he repeatedly promised to complete projects embarked
upon by the previous administration, and true to his vow, he submitted a supplementary budget that captured the financial plan for the completion of select projects inherited from the previous administration and not those already commissioned.
“I think the confusion emanated from the shallow thought of some who feel that a project commissioned cannot be expanded or remodelled to suit new demands and interests.
“A typical example is the Victor Attah International Airport, which was commissioned by the previous administration. But when former Governor Udom Emmanuel took over power, new projects like the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Facility (MRO), Terminal Building, and Taxi Way were initiated. Some projects are like this; even when commissioned, there is room for expansion. One should therefore understand the operation of the government before publishing some stories.
“As a prudent leader who frowns at wasteful spending and abandonment of projects, Gov. Eno has declared a state of emergency on all projects not completed by previous administrations, and this is good for all Akwa Ibom people.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with a new administration completing projects initiated by other administrations. Government is a continuum and must be treated as such. Abandoning a yet-to-be-completed project and rushing to initiate new ones is the bane of development in Nigeria, and that error must be corrected.
“Governor Eno’s desire to continue from where his predecessor stopped is a good omen for Akwa Ibom. This is the best thing that can happen to a state. The state would not be littered with abandoned projects, as seen in other states. According to the governor, very soon, the state would take delivery of ten brand new Airbus planes that they ordered, and there is a payment plan for this project”. He stressed.
He, however, stated that the governor had disabused the minds of the people on issues raised by the group when he said that his administration will remain focused on delivering dividends of good governance to Akwa Ibom people in line with the ARISE Agenda.
“On the issue of borrowing, according to available records, in addition to a statement by the governor, the state government has not borrowed a dime yet. However, even governments of vibrant economies around the world, like the United States of America, Germany, and others, borrow. Borrowing to fund a profitable project is not a crime.
“It is one of the avenues through which huge projects are funded the world over.
By now, the doubting Thomases should know that Gov. Eno is a prudent manager of resources and would never engage in frivolous borrowing or spending.
“That is why many people who know the governor very well laughed when the group alleged that the budget was also for the purchase of 90 SUVs. The governor had already clarified that he has been running the government with vehicles inherited from the previous administration and has not purchased any vehicles since his assumption of office.
“While the purchase of new vehicles is necessary, there are other things that are more essential, and the governor, through discipline and the ability to prioritise, chose to use the old vehicles. An average politician in Nigeria would want to go for brand new vehicles first, but not Pastor Umo Eno”. The aid was noted.
He expressed optimism that nothing would change the very thoughtful and calculative disposition of the humble shepherd that Umo Eno has always been.
The media aid assured that the resources of Akwa Ibom are in safe hands, and with the governor’s entrepreneurial spirit, he will undoubtedly multiply the same for the overall good of the state.
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