Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Umo Eno is currently hosting a 4-day Akwa Ibom Dialogue to formally launch his ARISE Agenda and help interpret his manifesto for easy implementation.
Governor Eno has therefore drawn experts past and present leaders in their various capacities, captains of industries, academics and entrepreneurs from within and outside the state for this all-important converge.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Governor said his ARISE agenda would be focused on Agriculture, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Security, and Education, adding that it is time Akwa Ibom people take ownership of the dream and articulate its realisation together.
Eno who explained that the ARISE agenda is further broken into 17 focal sectors targeted for short, medium and long term implementation, urged the people, irrespective of their political leanings to eschew hatred and join hands together to build the state.
He said he was bringing back all the Commissioners in the last administration to help in the realisation of the ARISE Agenda, but however advised them to show commitment.
The Governor who informed the Commissioners designate that his administration will be operating on a new template, urged them to key into it, as excuses would not be tolerated and non-performancers would be removed from office.
In his words “I would like to inform the incoming Commissioners that you are coming into a new season. You maybe old on the job but there is a new template. I have fulfilled my part of the bargain with you to ensure that as colleagues, we come back together and run the government because you laboured during the elections.
“We worked together, I didn’t just have the heart to throw you away but truth is, there is work to be done. The truth is, we will not take excuses, we will take results. We still need your wisdom, we still need your ideas, that is why there is a continuity in this government, so we can sit together and finish. But how far you will travel will depend on you. If you don’t deliver, you will hear the announcement on the news,” he stated.
In his address, Chairman of the occasion and Former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma informed participants, especially the resource persons that the Governor knew what he desires to do for the people but was seeking inputs and direction on HOW to do so.
The former Minister also advised Akwa Ibom State government to create opportunities for private sector investment to thrive.
He said the private sector provides most of the investment required to grow the economy and create jobs, as such, governments must provide the enabling environment that would encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and wealth creation.
He regretted that 90per cent of government plans do not get implemented, but however tasked Governor Umo Eno to set ambitious targets.
He charged Governor Eno to ensure that the policies of the ARISE agenda must be directed at making Akwa Ibom State one of the most desirable destinations for investment in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
In his words”Government must provide an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and wealth creation.
“It is incongruent on those in government to get those of us in the private sector to know the opportunities they are creating for private sector investment.
“A healthy private sector drives economic growth. It is the private sector that provides most of the investment that is required to grow the economy and create jobs, and job creation must be the essential part of His Excellency’s agenda, as creating jobs is the fastest way to alleviate poverty and elevate the living standards of our people.
“To be sustainable, most of these jobs must be in the private sector. In my view, government policies must be directed at making Akwa Ibom State one of the most desirable destination for investment in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
“To achieve success, we must set ourselves ambitious targets. Your Excellency, fellow Akwa Ibomites, let us think big,” he stated.
The Immediate past Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel who was special guest of honour on his part called on the people to cooperate with Governor Eno to actualize his ARISE agenda, saying Akwa Ibom has the human resources to realise the goal.
Emmanuel said execution, planning and acceptance of the agenda would drive its actualisation and warned the people against distracting the governor with negative comments.
Also speaking, former Governor, Obong Victor Attah said the ARISE agenda was the restoration of the dream he had for the state that was beginning to fade and urged that the policies realised from the dialogue and the blueprint of the agenda must be implemented for the state to make progress.
