By Arc. Moses Etokowoh,
moetokowoh@yahoo.com
etokowohmoses@gmail.com
Generally, governance, good governance is a tough balancing act, everything goes on the scale, right against left, the needs of the masses against those of the crème de la crème of the society, women against men, etc. Every government, good, bad or anything in between, gets these multi-sided pulls. It is great to listen to them because they represent the true pulse of the people and without them a government can unwittingly run aground.
The above notwithstanding, to listen willy-nilly to these staccato of voices could cause an otherwise well intended government to hop from pillar to pole with similarly unsavory endpoint. Some problems that appear to threaten hell and brimstone and create the most rancor are usually flashes in the pan and do not deserve any attention at all. The discerning leader would be well advised to cut through the chase, and strike the palpable blow where it counts- at the root causes. After all, at the point of reckoning, it is the head of the leader that posterity will have on the chopping block.
The incoming government of His Excellency, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, may have to contend with more than its own fair share of balancing acts primarily because his government cannot but tackle head on, the intractable socio economic problems that have bedeviled us for so long. Taking the bull by the horn in this respect would mean laying the strategic broad-based economic foundations that will not only serve as a catalyst to present day development initiatives but will also be farsighted enough to accommodate the dreams of generations to come. These types of economic infrastructure are usually not quick fixes and most certainly do not leave monuments along the streets (not in the short run) for people to point at as government deliverables. If the foundations are laid right, it may be un-sung, it may take time, but will be in our best interest.
Furthermore, a great act is said to be difficult to follow, and being human, His Excellency, could be concerned about how he would be judged against the backdrop of the superlative performance of his predecessor. The ‘Uncommon Transformation’ of Governor Godswill Akpabio was a resounding success given the tally of state of the arts infrastructure projects delivered over the span of his stewardship. With time Akwa Ibomites will come to terms with the true value of the infrastructure and recognize them as key building blocks for the development and economic growth of the state.
In a nutshell therefore, while His Excellency, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel is concentrating on necessary balancing acts of government, he could find himself looking over his shoulders at past performances. The above notwithstanding, the competition between Governor Udom Emmanuel and his predecessor should be a healthy one and cannot be an end in itself. If it was, Governor Udom Emmanuel would win the race easily by simply replicating the selfsame projects to match the immediate past governor’s performance and an odd addition here or there to outperform him.
The matter is not that simplistic, in fact the moment His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel was sworn in, he inherited an Akwa Ibom State that was significantly different from the one chaperoned by his predecessor, with its own uniquely different problems and prospects. For example, it would be pretty odd if His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel were to order the construction of another Ibom International Airport. The times are different and the now, lies in the enhancement of our capacity to grow wealth both in the individual front and collectively. Perhaps the new slogan, for the present administration should be ‘UFORO AKWA IBOM’.
Having been dubbed the Land of Promise, a nomenclature that is not hurt by the fact that we top the chart in oil and gas earnings, there is a strong tendency for Akwaibomites to bask in a feel-good euphoria that all is well with the state of our economy. However, if we take some time to look around, we may find it hard to figure out what constitutes gainful employment in the State or what exactly people do to survive. The production base is simply non-existent. The scenario in the rural areas is even more disturbing, with able bodied youth loitering around with absolutely nothing to do but foment trouble at the drop of a hat. We have made great strides in the recent past, but we are a long, long way from where we are headed.
We should not forget we are just coming out of many years of neglect, deprivation and marginalization that disoriented our psyche and self-esteem. Even the ravages of a long forgotten civil war had its toll, which I dare say are still with us today. We sank to the lowest of the low and were caricatured freely for a good laugh. Our people never really recovered from these debilitating circumstances and it would take more than a few years of oil revenue showings to turn the table around. We need is a sustained, concerted effort if we ever hope to reverse our situation.
These extenuating circumstances make the laying of a proper foundation for our economic growth most imperative. In the past, we had excuses for our sorry state but today there is a reversal of fortunes that must be invested to facilitate a secured future for the people and the state. If we set our sights at paying the usual recurrent heavy bills, we would remain in this present state of perpetual infancy and our problems will continue to grow until they overwhelm us completely. The need for a departure from the beaten track, for the sake of the people and the future generation cannot be overemphasized.
A great concept for articulating our development efforts is the drive to make Akwa Ibom a DESTINATION State. This means we will set out to develop a primarily business and tourism based economy. Preparatory measures would include making our cities functional and aesthetically pleasing while offering great business opportunities, make the state a shopping paradise by providing variety and guaranteeing lowest prices, invest in popular tourists’ pastimes, adding value to local produce to gain international market appeal etc. and projects that best further the overall goal would get the nod.
The much publicized Dubai magic is still very fresh in our minds and there is every reason that this concept will thrive here given the absence of a modern business hub in the region. As we build, we would continually advertise our intent and if the tourists are slow in coming, we would take measures to go and bring them in. The huge capital and the sheer volume of economic activities required to bring the project to fruition will create innumerable wealth making opportunities and millions of private and public sector driven jobs that will cut across all walks of life.
To kick start the Destination State Initiative, there is a need to see to the establishment of what has emerged to be the three Most Valuable Projects (MVP), namely,
· An urban renewal program for Uyo, with a view to establishing a vibrant Central Business District (UCBD) with a bias for global shopping.
· The Ibaka Deep Seaport needs to be up and running within the shortest possible timeline. And
· The Akwa Ibom International Market (AIM) in Ikot Ekpene.
Except for the UCBD project, where the adopted solution could be radically different from past Uyo Master Plan concepts, the other two projects have been on the radar for quite some time and it is gladdening that the present administration has already initiated action.
The economics of Uyo city center, as it presently stands, simply defies all logic. We have managed to turn, arguably the most expensive piece of property in the state into a bland and indistinctive neighborhood that is fast deteriorating into a slum. The structures are shanty, inaccessible and mostly unkempt with brown rusty roof tops. A sorry city center where the prevailing economic activity is petty trading and the roads cost for more than the buildings they give access to and chaos is the order of the day. We have a capital city by name but it contributes near nothing to the economic wellbeing of the state.
On the flip side, Uyo city could house a vibrant Central Business District (CBD) and become the commercial hub and nerve center that will not only drive the economies of the region but also that of the entire Akwa Ibom State. We would trade our shanties for skyscrapers, our petty trading for successful, world renowned shopping chains where the entire world can shop and our slums for great landscapes and environments where people will be proud to live, work and play. Uyo can become that dream capital city, befitting of the ‘Land of Promise’, a modern, first class metropolis if we dare to try.
Another great news is the fact that the funds necessary to build the mega city of our dreams can come from external sources. Far fetched, isn’t it? Well, first the Dubai experience is still fresh in our minds. Dubai was built mostly by external funds. Still not convinced, how about Lagos then? Lagos State is currently developing the Atlantic City, what is not common knowledge is the fact that the project has been sold out, meanwhile, some of the project land is still underwater. The investors behind the successes in Dubai and the Lagos Atlantic City, are very much around and are ready, willing and able to bankroll the Akwa Ibom initiative.
Mobil, has partnered with Akwa Ibom for years and does the bulk of its business in the nation here. If Uyo had a vibrant Business District, there would have been no debate as to where the Mobil Headquarters would have been. For the UCBD project, we could start by challenging Mobil to build a Skyscraper in Uyo center to commemorate our long standing and future partnership and throw in the site for free. We do not need to be told that if Mobil buys into the plan, the pull factor of their presence will attract likeminded establishments to the greater good of Akwa Ibom State. That is how easy it is to build our first two skyscrapers, because Mobil would not be allowed to outperform the supreme stakeholder and prime mover of the UCBD initiative, the Akwa Ibom State Government.
The Ibaka Deep-sea Port, the second MVP, needs no introduction, nor do we need reminding of the benefits of this economic catalyst extraordinaire. The gains to the economies of the sub region and the eastern half of the nation aside, its multi-facetted and multi sectoral impact would be felt by all walks of life in Akwa Ibom. Imports, exports, housing, offices, warehousing, recreational needs are a tip of the iceberg in the context of the myriads of wealth making opportunities that will flood our state. Particularly important also is the fact that this port will ensure the cheapest landing costs for goods that will in turn facilitate the initiative to turn Akwa Ibom into a world shopping center and a Destination State.
Therefore, henceforth, Akwa Ibom must mount as much pressure as it can muster in order to bring this one in. In fact, all elected office holders, appointees, Akwaibomites at home and in the diaspora should insist on this and only this project from the Federal Government. It must be noted that apart from those establishments put in place for the exploitation of oil and gas, there is a paucity of Federal presence and projects in the state. It is high time something of real value be done here.
There is even more reason to cry foul when one considers that this project has been on the card since 1952 and we hear the first studies were submitted to the British Crown. That was over six decades ago, and over these intervening years, ports with lesser capacity to meet our national needs have been built. The fact that these ports have remained fringe entities in the national ports context is perhaps proof enough that we may have glossed over a few finer points at their conception stages.
Neglect and marginalization would probably be the first things that come to mind, but there again these are old sentiments that no longer apply in our dear nation. Notwithstanding, there is a need to right the wrongs of old, lets join hands and build the Ibaka Deep Sea port. It is six decades behind schedule.
That Lagos, where the bulk of the national port activities take place, feels the need to build a new deep-sea port is most interesting and indicative enough of the pricelessness of this all important, multi sectoral economic catalyst and Akwa Ibom State must not leave any stone unturned in the quest to bring the project to fruition. What is not interesting are the stories and small talks making the rounds that some powerful cartels and enemies of progress, in collaboration with government officials are determined to scuttle the project even before it has a chance to take off. The next we would be hearing could be how certain laws of the land or procedure were not followed to the letter and world form the bases for which operational licenses must be withheld. A similar scenario is playing out in Cross River State Tinapa, project.
In order to facilitate a hitch free delivery of the project, Akwa Ibom must anticipate these obstacles and take measures to outmaneuver them even before they come to the fore. The high powered committee, set up by Governor Udom Emmanuel to midwife the Deep Sea Port initiative is thus a step in the right direction. Perhaps, our time has come, thanks to the arrival of our brand new, indefatigable, anti-corruption champion, President Muhammadu Buhari.
By building Ibaka Deep Sea port, the nation would in effect be building a second international business hub that will help drive the economies of the sub regional states and rake in foreign revenue, create millions of jobs and wealth as well as opportunities. The other nations around us are getting more financially capable by the day. So therefore, ‘My Country People’ the need to diversify wisely is now and the need has never been more urgent.
The third most valuable project is the mega, ultramodern international market, proposed for the Ikot Ekpene area. The project was a major campaign promise of His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel to Akwaibomites. Politics aside, the proposed market is an economic catalyst extraordinaire, effective in driving all facets and sectors of the economy simultaneously. The proposed Ibom International market, when it comes to fruition would be an invaluable tool for stimulating economic growth at the grassroots, especially the empowerment of rural women and youth, thus enlisting their support and contribution towards the collective development efforts of the people.
The local produce would increase exponentially, value would be added through a host of processing and packaging industries would spring up, there will be opportunities in housing, warehousing and other support facilities, a ready international market to carry our produce to the ends of the world would surely create wealth and opportunities and there will be prosperity in the land.
The Ibom International Market is also expected to attract products from all over the world via the participation of popular and successful international market brands. With the international flair, the market will re-route the destinations of millions of our nationals that troop abroad for shopping and thanks to the proposed Ibaka Deep Sea port that will ensure the cheapest landing costs for goods and commodities. The market will boast of a large variety of goods at a bargain. The fun-packed shopping experiences would turn ordinary shopping trips into unforgettable adventures. This in turn will generate passionate followership and patronage that will make Akwa Ibom the most sought after tourism destination of this era.
Furthermore, Ariaria Market, Aba, with reported turnover in trillions of Naira per annum, has had its glory days. Today, the market is only a shadow of itself and has failed to make the growth changes necessary to ensure continuous relevance. The high volume patronage needed to retain its pride of place has whittled down considerably. Meanwhile the market is bursting in its seams and has become a monster that has ravaged the entire city of Aba. A downturn in the market fortunes which Akwa Ibom can and should exploit to its benefit by establishing a well thought out, ultramodern facility where the interest of both shopper and merchant are painstakingly and unreservedly attended to by design.
The prospects of relocating the famous Ariaria market to Akwa Ibom side of the fence significantly improves the popularity and viability credentials of the Ibom International Market since a substantial part of the implementation funds may be raised from the project entity. This we can achieve by selling/leasing shops and other sellable units well ahead of commencing the implementation works. By the time we throw in a comprehensive firefighting system to allay fears of market fires, close circuit television supported and police manned security, all-weather, 24-7 operation and fun packed shopping experiences there is no doubt that the market would be a huge success and a sellout once the news of its implementation hits the air wave.
These three projects, namely; the Uyo Central Business District, the Ibaka Deep Sea Port and the Akwa Ibom International Market are the Most Valuable Projects (MVP) for Akwa Ibom State at this point in time. Their synergy would leverage our growth efforts by several folds, create millions of private and public sector driven jobs over a wide variety of skill levels. Akwa Ibom would become a sought after tourist destination and would be firmly implanted in the world’s tourism map.
Internally generated revenue will soar to hitherto unimaginable heights and the sheer volume of economic activities will inundate us with wealth making opportunities and there will be prosperity in the land. Akwa Ibom will finally live up to its billing as the Land of Promise and we could choose, if we wish, pave our streets in gold, but it all depends on THE DEPTH OF THE VISION.