Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, Lawmaker at Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Technical director Akwa United Football Club in this interview with Tony Okoh explains why Governor Emmanuel should continue beyond 2019.
Question:
You represent Onna State Constituency where Governor Emmanuel hails from in the State Assembly, what is your relationship with the Governor and your constituency.
Essien:
I will say that I am very privileged to have the Governor come from my constituency and I enjoy very cordial and brotherly relationship with him, but he is a Governor for every Akwa Ibom person. He loves the State and spread development across the three senatorial districts of the state. They said charity begins at home and he has not forgotten that, so my constituency too has felt his Midas touch of good Governance with quality, time tested and people oriented projects. The same applies to other communities across the state. Again, I want to inform you that the Governor came into the scene when the nation is navigating through many challenges. He came with deep wisdom and mantra to move the State forward. That is why against all odds, he is still executing projects across the State and ensures up to date payment of staff salaries. He has attracted several investors to the State and we have witnessed the spring up of factories across the State. In preparation for the ongoing Industrialization, you can see the road revolution been witnessed across the State. Areas like Ibaka town where the deep sea port was cited without roads for over 40 years is witnessing the construction of superhighway. You can also see that the completion of Ikot Abasi jetty, the State is already opened up to international investments. Today we have functional industries like the metering company commissioned by the Vice President, a syring manufacturing company which will soon start exporting syringes, flour mill, coconut factory among others.
Hon Nse Essien
Question:
Most of the industries you mentioned are cited in your State constituency which is also the Governor’s home country why?
Essien:
I want to make it clear that the Governor has never influenced the citing of any industry in any part of the State. His interest is mainly provision of enabling environment and facilities to enable smooth operation of the factories. The investors look out for certain parameters before settling down for any community, these parameters vary but mostly it could be nearest to the sea and very peaceful environment, nearest to Gas line and other sources of power. Onna was selected by these investors because of the above mentioned parameters. However, others have other criteria which are found in other areas of the State. In a nutshell, I will say that closeness to source of raw materials is also a factor in dealing with where factories are cited by investors.
Question:
There are still discordant tunes over the way and manner AKISIEC handled the last Local Government Elections in the State. What is your take on this?
Essien:
To the best of my knowledge, AKISIEC performed very well. They did their jobs as arbiter. they conduct the election in the most acceptable way and I believe that even the opposition parties appreciated the honest and transparent manner, the election was conducted. The CNPP and IPAC have already congratulated the ruling party the PDP and thanked AKISIEC for a job well done.
Our biggest opponent, the All Progressive Congress (APC) did a mega flag off campaign for that election with their national leader in attendance without doing unit to unit campaign and mobilization as the PDP did. Our strategy was campaigning in every household across the State before the election. However, I had it on good authority that the crowd we saw at the APC Rally before the election were imported into the State from neighboring States, otherwise, how could we explain how some of them got stranded after the rally in Uyo.
Question:
2019 election is around the corner and the APC here is poised to win the Governorship. How do you see PDP chances to retain the State?
Essien:
(Long laugh) Akwa Ibom is PDP, and the party is a religion here. That is the only party with visible structures across the length and breadth of this State. You don’t dislodge a performing Governor or a winning team. In a very free and fair election, PDP will carry the day and 2019 will not be different. Akwa Ibom people will not forget in a hurry a Governor they elected when the nation was in economic crisis and he navigated them safely out of economic woes. When people across many States are arguing with their leaders over the actual number of months they owed them salaries, Akwa Ibom workers get theirs before month end. In addition to several other life touching projects. Again we have a known and standing convention here in the State that each senatorial district should have a two term rotation of Governorship. It started with Uyo Senatorial District and Obong Victor Attah as Governor, then Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District with Godwill Akpabio as Governor and now we are in the era of Udom Emmanuel and Eket Senatorial District and it wouldn’t be any different. Justice, equity, and fair play demands that Gov Emmanuel’s tenure will be completed in 2023. Any alteration on this arrangement may threaten the notational convention and political understanding existing presently in the State.
Question:
The State Assembly seems too attached to the apron of the Governor making the people believe they are mere rubber stamps.
Essien:
Well, it is laughable to say so because we in the House of Assembly have our constitutional duties clearly marked out. There is no part of our duties which includes fighting the Governor. However, working within the ambits of the constitutional provision had ensured peace. Members of the executive operate within their constitutional approved powers and we also ensure that we work in tandem in the same spirit. Akwa Ibom people are looking for progress, development and prosperity and whatever the Governor is doing in that direction constitutionally. we rubber stamp it if that is what made them refer us as rubber stamps. We are not here to fight the executives, it will retard progress, it is anti-development and an evil wind that will blow no good, The cordial relations between the executive and the legislation stemmed from the fact that the Governor is doing well.
Question:
In three years, you have helped freed over 55 prisoners from Uyo prison, why so much interest in prisoners.
Essien:
Well, you will not understand the essence and joy that goes with freedom until you lose it. I have a deep fear for God and love for mankind and that explains why I hate seeing people in chains. Again, I have a limit to what I can do in this direction because my focus is mostly on those who have been freed with an option of fine but could not afford it and continue to waste away in prisons. I made a covenant with God to assist such people within the limit of my resources. I have so far freed many by paying their fines and I have also pleaded with them to obey the laws of the country and never return to the prison for any reason. All of the people who benefited from this benevolence are not known to me. I have never met them and may not know them if we meet in the larger society. I don’t do these things to get anything in return from them but I did them to satisfy my conscience that I am obeying God’s Commandment to be your brother’s keeper. None of those who benefited is even from my Local Government area. Again, for those who could not benefit from this largesse, I organize a yearly sporting competition in different sports with cash awards and other prizes for the winners. I do this to keep their spirits alive and also let them know that they still have God and public-spirited people with them. In years ahead if I am blessed with more resources, I will expand the number of beneficiaries. I am begging other well and privileged Nigerians to extend their goodwill in that direction.
Question:
It is said that since you are from the same constituency with Governor Emmanuel, the pressure for empowerment from constituents will be less on you.
Essien:
That notion is wrong because, the Governor cannot do everything. He is doing his best though. But I want you to know that presently I have over 130 people I empower monthly. In 2015 I did an elaborate constituency briefing, empowerment and will soon establish skill acquisition and ICT Centre for my constituents. When functional a lot of people will learn various crafts and become skilled in various vocations and will have succeeded in teaching them how to become breadwinners for their various families.
Question:
As a renowned sports administrator and enthusiasts, how would rate sports development under Governor Emmanuel?
Essien:
Nigerian must salute Governor Emmanuel for the 2018 world cup ticket presently in our kitty he so much encouraged the NFF and the players throughout their qualifying matches at the Nest of champions. He went out of his way to boost their morale. He ensured that the facilities here are not only ready but updated to international standard. The good results can be traced to his enormous support. In the same vein, he has extended his magic wand in sports to the State Darling Club the Akwa United. The club had won AITEO Cup twice in three years. He saw to the success of the team by showing personal interest in the club management and welfare of the players. Last year, the State organized 1st all school sports festivals for Primary and Secondary schools in the State.
Tremendous talents were discovered during the exercise and to further discover more, the Governor has constructed ten sports centers across the ten federal constituencies in the state. His interest in sports development is unparalleled and we have to encourage him to do more.
Governor Emmanuel’s government is totally committed to the development of football in the state, not only football but all other sports. The other time, Akwa United U-15 team was involved in the maiden edition of the NPFL/La Liga competition and they did very well. It is about giving the talented youths the opportunity to express what God has given to them. That is the passion his government has in developing sports in the state.
Hon Essien
Question:
How much support is the team receiving from the state government?
I was coming to this important point. The major thing is that in Akwa United, the players are highly motivated. Government is doing fantastically well for them. Their salaries and bonuses come right on time. The commissioner for youths and sports does not joke with their emoluments. He tries as much as possible to ensure that they are paid right on time and don’t forget that we have an experienced club chairman in the person of Paul Bassey who is well versed in football. In addition, we have good managers of the game from the governor who has been magnificent with his sponsorship of the team to the commissioner who does well to make sure the players and officials get what is due to them as well as the club chairman who knows how to push the players. I must also mention the technical crew headed by Coach Maikaba. They are all doing a wonderful job. It is not cheap and that is why you can see the results coming out.