By Eneh John
“Construction is a matter of optimism; it’s a matter of facing the future with confidence.” Cesar Pelli
The arrival of Governor Umo Eno on May 29, 2023, herald the beginning of yet another era in Akwa Ibom State. Like one who had no chance, like one who was written off, like one who some felt was not fit to be Governor, against all odds, he emerged victorious.
Just after his swearing in as Governor, Umo Eno has moved like a bulldozer, like a man who came prepared for the job, like a man who read past question papers, and came to do the job Akwa Ibom people had employed him for.
One of the outstanding things Governor Umo Eno has done, is winning his fiercest critics to his side, to be singing his praises, to be commending him for a job weldone, to sing songs of hope and patience with the administration. However the Governor does this, with his finesse and charisma, remains something to be understudied.
Akwa Ibom State since 2023, has been converted to a construction site by Governor Umo Eno. With a determination to execute legacy projects in Akwa Ibom, the question is, Are Akwa Ibom people ready for the tsunami construction that is sweeping across the entire state?
Development comes with a bit of inconvenience, just as we are witnessing at Atiku Abubakar Avenue, where the Governor is solving the perennial flood that has bedeviled that road in years.
Governor Umo Eno has been optimistic in his approach to delivering governance in real time to the people of the state. His Excellency seems to be in a hurry in project execution, and has won the admiration of the people of the state.
Perhaps, the naysayers never believed that in eight months, the developmental spread will be so much a thing to humble critics and send a message to all, that this particular Governor is a construction Governor.
From Uyo, to Ikot Ekpene, to Ibesikpo, to Nsit Ibom, to Nsit Ubium, Eket, Esit Eket, Ukanafun, name them, it has been from one project to the other. Governor Umo Eno is setting a template that future Governors of the state will follow, and also leverage on the legacies of the Governor when he bows out.
Akwa Ibom people should gear up their minds for more projects, while bearing the inconveniences that these developments will bring to the state. Akwa Ibom will not be built in one day, but with the utmost support of the people, we will remember Governor Umo Eno as the construction Governor, who came to demystify governance in the state, and brought a construction revolution to the state.
In the end, we will all look back, and shower encomiums on the Governor, for his sincerity to governance and his loyalty to the oath of office which he swore to deliver on the mandate Akwa Ibom people gave him.
A REPUTATION FOUNDED ON INTEGRITY, MUST BE NURTURED BY TRUTH.
Eneh John, PhD
A Journalist, writes from Etebi Ikot Usekong, Eket.
Umo Eno: The Birthing Of A Construction Governor In Akwa Ibom
