As Akwa Ibom State Executive Council (EXCO) members gather in Lagos for another four-day retreat, development experts and civil society leaders have charged Governor Umo Eno to use the opportunity to initiate long-term, strategic reforms that will translate into tangible progress for the state.
Recall that the present administration had October 2023 held a four-day retreat with the theme, ‘ARISE Agenda: Mapping the Future’ held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos , with a resolution on a general economic target to grow at least 3 percent above the National GDP and to significantly increase revenue by increasing Internally Generated Revenue, Public-Private Partnerships, and adopting innovative infrastructure funding alternatives.
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While the supposed tracked results of the previous retreat is yet to be communicated to Akwa Ibom people , the state government is currently at same Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos for another four-day retreat on an emergency theme suggested by the Governor ; “Teaming for Greater Success”
In expectation for commensurate impact from the state’s resources expected to be expended on the retreat, Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding, Saviour Akpan while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday cautioned Governor Umo Eno to work to ensure the retreat would not end as another “ceremonial talk show.”
Akpan who recommended that the retreat be anchored on data-driven planning and post-event accountability, therefore advised that the State Bureau of Statistics be empowered to conduct comprehensive studies that would inform a strategic economic development blueprint for the state.
“This retreat should not end as another ceremonial talk-shop. The governor must initiate post-retreat citizens’ surveys to evaluate the performance of each ministry. Without such feedback loops, the retreat risks being disconnected from the realities of Akwa Ibom people.”
He further called for the adoption of inclusive economic planning that outlives political administrations, noting that many governance challenges in Nigeria stem from short-sighted, regime-specific projects rather than enduring development frameworks.
“The outcome of this retreat should include actionable policies, ranging from civil service reforms, justice delivery improvements, digitization of state laws, to empowering agencies like the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation Commission to sensitize citizens against blind loyalty and sycophancy,” Akpan added.
He also advised Governor Eno to prioritize the signing of critical legislation including the Disability Law and the Youth Law, describing them as key to inclusive governance.
Also reacting to the retreat, the Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC), through its National Coordinator Zik Gbemre, blasted the retreat as a “reckless and wasteful jamboree and accused the governor of contradicting his claims of fiscal prudence.
In his words “It is disheartening to see a state battling high poverty levels export such a high-level government function to Lagos. Governor Sanwo-Olu holds his EXCO retreats within his state. Why can’t we do the same?”
He also criticized the creation of new titles such as “Delivery Advisors,” describing them as glorified project monitors meant to impress rather than improve governance.
“To us, this retreat is not just about planning. It’s about image laundering and misplacement of priorities. Capital flight in the name of governance is unacceptable, especially when the average Akwa Ibomite is still struggling with basic needs,” he added.
Recall that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno had during the opening of the retreat on Monday defended the Lagos venue as a distraction-free environment to encourage commitment and attention, an avenue to ensure full integration of his new exco members and delivery experts into the workings of his administration’s Arise Agenda.
