18082019 -Anxiety over " Next Level" Ministers

PAGE 6– SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 18, 2019
Ibom deep sea port
would’ve become a
reality but for politics
– Udoh, Information Commissioner
By Harris-Okon Emmanuel
ir Charles Udoh is Akwa Ibom
SState Commissioner for
Information. In this interview, he talks
about Governor Udom Emmanuel’s
agenda in the next four years,
government’s efforts at actualizing the
Ibom Deep-Sea Port and the aviation
industry, among other issues.
Excerpts…
What were the major
achievements that helped the
governor to be re-elected for
another four years?
The book ‘Touching Life’ has
encapsulated the achievements of
Udom Emmanuel in the last four years.
The margin of victory, the commitment
and dedication of Akwa Ibom people
bore testimony to the humongous
strides of Emmanuel. It is
unprecedented that one governor in just
four years would attract 16 industries. It
is unprecedented that one governor in
just four years would construct 1,700
kilometres of roads. It is also
unprecedented that one governor in just
four years would have almost all the
general hospitals fixed. So, this clearly
bears testimony to the achievements of
Emmanuel. Akwa Ibom unanimously
returned the governor to office. These
are clear testimonies.
Was the election really about
him or the party that he
represented?
The party and the person are the
same. You would also realize that if the
party had chosen a wrong candidate,
the party would be at risk. For the first
time in the history of Akwa Ibom
politics, the governorship candidate
was unopposed and unanimously
adopted across board and no other
person showed interest in the party.
That shows that everybody had deep
confidence in the ability of the
governor. Everybody had maximum
satisfaction in his achievements.
Everybody was pleased with his
milestones and
strategies.
Talking about
milestones, many
people are saying
that the governor is
not celebrating the
achievements you
have enumerated.
What is your
ministry doing to
highlight these
achievements?
The governor has said
severally that he is here
on a cause and not for
accolades and he is
more focused on
delivering dividends of
democracy and not on a
circus show. That is why
the governor has
remained grounded,
focusing on delivering
dividends of democracy
and not going on
applause jamboree. And
because the governor is
a private sector person
who is well exposed,
vastly experienced in
business development,
he has learned and
borrowed from best practices and has
brought these to Akwa Ibom. In
addition, we do not see those industries
stalled in anyway because they are
purely market forces driven.
We are saying, if
we are bringing in
investors, allow
the investors to
come and we will
employ people
irrespective of
party affiliations
A school of thought believes that
for government to benefit
extensively from the industries,
there should be a clear stake-
holding. What is your take on
that?
Government’s interest is
clear. The governor in 2015
promised job creation, wealth
creation and poverty
alleviation. The governor did
not promise that in civil
service and political circle.
For you to drive those three
points, you have to create an
enabling environment, create
industries. Government said, ‘look,
when you bring in industries, you
create employment within the
community and, therefore, government
interest is covered.
What about His Excellency’s
agenda in the second term vis-àvis
the time and resources?
The Completion Agenda is an offshoot
of the Five-Point Agenda. What we have
done is just to expand it. You would also
see that His Excellency believes in
continuity. It is the first time in the
history of Nigeria politics that you see a
governor returning his entire Executive
Council to continue with him in the
second term. This clearly shows that the
governor believes in the team and he
wants to focus on developing Project
Akwa Ibom to achieve result. The
governor has also said repeatedly that
no project started by his administration
would be uncompleted. Therefore, we
are poised to deliver dividends of
democracy. This government is aware
that time is against it. So, the governor
is passionate about delivering on the
Ibom Deep Sea Port and making Akwa
Ibom a hub in aviation industry, among
other things. The Completion Agenda
consists of eight points. Ibom Air is
clearly the toast of the aviation industry.
We also talk about industrialization,
rural and riverine area development,
human capital development, security,
infrastructure, and small and medium
enterprises. This stems from the desire
of government to harmonize everything
it is doing and get result for the Akwa
Ibom people. That is why we also said
politics is over and let
people forget about the
myopic thinking along
political, ethnic or
religious lines. Let
people think only of
‘Project Akwa Ibom’.
What is the
governor doing to
bring the
opposition on
board?
We are not going to
bring everybody on
board. We are not
going to bring strange
bedfellows into the
plan. What government
is saying is that
wherever you are, play
your role. We are
saying, if we are
bringing in investors,
allow the investors to
come and we will
employ people
irrespective of party
affiliations.
Akwa Ibom people
are anxiously awaiting
the manifestation of
Ibom Deep Sea Port,
which is the signature
project of this administration. How
realistic is the project?
If it were within the control and scope
of the state government, I would have
given you a definite timeline. However,
Ibom Deep Sea Port is a project that has
the interest of the Nigerian Ports
Authority, the approval and all that
need to be done by the Federal Ministry
Sir Charles Udoh
of Transport. Realistically, there are 22
steps involved in getting the approval
and, as we speak, we have gotten to 20
with only two steps left. We have the
preferred investor and one of the
biggest port managing companies in
the world. We are confident and that is
why this government has created the
Ministry of Economic Development and
Ibom Deep Sea Port. Just like what we
have done with the Ibom Air, the
process of Ibom Air started in October
last year and it is unprecedented that by
March, Ibom Air became a reality. The
youngest aircraft flying the Nigerian
commercial airspace does so with 21-
year-old aircraft, but Ibom Air has
entered the market with aircraft that
are 6-year-old, almost brand new. If you
are familiar with the aviation industry,
if you buy new aircraft, you are giving
five years warranty period; so those
aircraft are only in their first year out of
their warranty period. This means that
we have almost brand new aircraft in
our hands. Beyond setting the standard
in terms of age and quality of the
aircraft, we are also taking into
cognizance the fact that one of the
drawback in the Nigeria aviation
industry was that many people went for
jumbo jets despite the attendant cost of
maintenance and all that. But ours are
newer, breakdown is not frequent and
you can easily break even. As a
government, we are breaking new
grounds. We are bringing in this airline
to redefine standard. And people would
ask, what is government interest in
managing airline? And I would say that
British Airways, Emirates have huge
governments’ interests. The economy of
Ethiopia is driven largely by the
Ethiopian Airline. The same with
Kenyan’s Airways, which is driven by
government. Also, the Singapore Airline
and I can go on and on. Something tells
us that for these governments to have
the huge interest, it means there is
something significant, it means the
profitable level is encouraging and so
we jumped into it.
There is speculation that deep
politics is involved in the
actualization of the port project?
As we speak, there is no deep-sea port
in Nigeria that has gone as far as Ibom
Deep Sea Port and no deep-sea port in
Nigeria can start before Ibom Deep Sea
Port. None of them has gone to ten
points. And we are at the 20th level and
you know how long it took us to get
there. It took us four years. They have
also studied the scenario.
Businesspersons in South-West and
South-East know that it is a nightmare
going to Apapa, going to Tin Can Island.
So, Ibom Deep Sea Port along the coast
of West Africa, Central Africa is going to
be the only deep-sea port with dual
channels which means that you can
process two ships at the same time.
Lagos has single channel. All other ports
have single channels. Beyond that, they
are also taking cognizance of the
problem of Apapa and that is why we are
having Ikot Abasi jetty, designed to take
care of smaller ships, because it is within
the same proximity. That is why we are
making that area an industrial city. We
have studied the management of ports in
Nigeria and let me tell you, if it was not
politics, this would have become a
reality a long time ago.
Lawyer docked for
allegedly publishing
fake news about Edo
University
For allegedly publishing fake news
about Edo University Iyamho, on his
facebook account, a 59-year-old lawyer,
Ogedengbe Oiseoruemi Ayodeji, was, on
Friday, arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate
Court.
Oiseoruemi was arraigned on a four-count
charge punishable under Sections 517,375,
517 and 59(1) of the Criminal Code of the
defunct Bendel State, also applicable in Edo
State.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, according
to The News magazine.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Thomas
Ojo, told the court that on June 22, 2019, the
accused and others now at large, unlawfully
published a defamatory matter on his Facebook
account with the name Ogedengbe
Oisoruemi Ayodeji Uduanghe, titled, press
statement, Friday 21, June 2019, NUC revokes
Edo University Iyamho, operating licensees,
with the intent to injure the reputation
of Edo University, Iyamho.
The charge sheet read in part: “That you
and others now at large did conspired among
yourselves to publish fake news with intent to
cause fear and alarm to the public, thereby
committing the offence punishable under section
517 of the Criminal Code.”
The defense team, led by Peter Uwadiae,
pleaded with the court to grant bail to the
accused on self-recognition.
The presiding Magistrate, I .U. Iyoha,
granted the accused bail on self-recognition.
He adjourned the case till September 3,
2019 for continuation of hearing.
Speaking with journalists, the Public Relations
Officer of Edo University, Iyamho,
Betcher Ekhosihun, insisted that the institution
is owned by Edo State government.
He noted that the institution does not need
an operating license but recognition by NUC.
He however cautioned people against publishing
fake and unverified news in social
media as the law will definitely catch up with
them.
Slain Police Officer:
Lawyer makes cash
donation to Ediale family
By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu
Benin-based lawyer, Olayiwola Afola
A bi, yesterday, made a cash donation to
the family of the late Sergeant Mark Ediale,
one of the policemen killed by soldiers in Taraba
State while on official assignment.
Afolabi presented the cash to the family
through the Edo State Commissioner of Police,
Danmallam Abubakar.
He described the late Ediale as brave and
one of the finest police officers.
He said his support for the family was to
spur well-meaning individuals to show appreciation
to the late officers.
His words: “I know the late Ediale. He is
from Edo State. As a Nigerian and I am living
in Edo State I decided to support the family.
I appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to
assist the family of the policemen. They died
fighting for our society to be crime-free.’’
Okere Urhobo to
Okowa: We deserve
commissionership slot
KERE Urhobo people of Warri
OSouth Local Government Area, Delta
State, say it would be unfair if Governor Ifeanyi
Okowa denies them a commissioner appointment
given the level of support they accorded
him in the 2019 governorship election.
In a statement through a Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, opinion leader, Oghenewwoke
Aminagha, they urged the governor to make
the difference by not yielding to past attitude
of “use and dump” in Warri South politics.
Aminagha, former PDP Secretary, Okumagba
1 Ward 11, said, “After elections, comes
rewards in form of appointments. This time
around, we worked so hard that Okere Urhobos
against all odds delivered Okumagba II
Ward 12 that no governor had won since 2003.
“We ensured Okowa won seamlessly there.
Now it’s time for rewards, all we are receiving
are meager Senior and Executive Assistants
when in fact we deserve a commissioner where
the governor is rewarding our neighbors who
played anti party against him with commissioners
and several other key appointments.
“Some detractors are saying but Governor
is tarring roads in Okere Urhobo, so why the
outcry. Without being ungrateful, with infrastructural
development, the governor is simply
delivering his campaign promises. Appointments
are rewards we as much for our
elections support.”