Godswill Akpabio showed what is possible. ..

Akpabio-He did some work 

As somebody living in Abuja,  I have always had a form of suspicion of what we read in the papers. Especially all the sponsored programs of some State governments always boasting of achievements. I have always taken such with a pinch for salt, to use a hackneyed phrase..

Among the governors involved in self adulation,  we have that of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; the Owelle,  Rochas Okorocha, and the indefatigable showman, Mr Godswill Akpabio.

I have no issue with self praise by public office holders. The important thing is that all claims be not overtly exaggerated, and these are projects that will impact the greatest number positively, not feed the governor's  ego.

I had reason to visit Uyo recently, and that gave a chance to verify some of the things we have been watching on TV  in Abuja. As a critical observer who however believes in neutrality, I must say I was quite impressed by what I saw.

The first thing was the roads that entered Uyo.  My trip took me through Ikot  Ekpene,  that is, entering Akwa Ibom State through Abia  state. The Ikot Ekpene Road, the Akwa  Ibom sector of it, is a dual carriage way under construction. What is impressive about it is that it beats in many ways, roads entering the federal capital, not to mention some state capitals.

Apart from being a good piece of work, being constructed by Julius Berger,  well known road artists, the excellent workmanship is obvious from the start, it looks solid and likely to be maintenance free for long. It also has what most roads in Nigeria lack: provision for beautification with ornamental trees at the sides and grasses and flowers in the median.

Getting into Uyo  proper, we see that the governor has invested massively in road infrastructure. Despite moving around a great deal, I did not see any dirt road in the city Centre.  All the roads are of the highest quality, and well maintained. There were roundabouts, interchanges and impressive avenues. 

I was impressed.

Now apart from roads, there were also other buildings, like he stadium, the golf Course, The Ibom Meridian hotel, and parks for public relaxation. The Ibom Tropicana  is as good as you will find in Abuja or Dubai, highlighted by the presence of Silverbird Cinema.

For me, the best of the infrastructure  is the e-library, the type I am not aware exists in any other city in Nigeria. Abuja, for instance, does not have such.

Coming out of Akwa Ibom after a visit of 48 hours, I was convinced that Governor Akpabio has been sincere in the programs beamed into Abuja homes, claiming achievements..

I certainly will return to Uyo and explore the whole state, not just Uyo. But what I saw in Uyo suggests that the transformation would have been state wide.

7 Gbosas!!  to Senator Godswill Akpabio.

If ALL the governors of the South South have  done what Senator Akpabio did in Uyo, we may not have a millitance of this level of destructiveness. I am not sure youths in Akwa Ibom will be in a hurry to destroy the infrastructure that Senator Godswill provided for them to make a point to the federal government.

As an aside, this suggests that our dear militants should also not forget to ask our leaders in the Niger Delta what they have done with the little extra money given to them through the Derivation fund, the Ministry,  as well as NDDC. We can still demand more from the federation, even total  resource control. But we must not leave any problem untackled.  The impunity in the spending of what has been made available so far should not be swept under the carpet.

Godswill Akpabio has shown what is possible. Let us ask what stopped the others from following the example.

Meanwhile, it would be good to closely monitor the present governor of Akwa Ibom State to see if he will follow the road of his predecessor.