By Osondu Ahirika
Tracking the Promise is an initiative by the Comrade Ini Ememobong-led Ministry of Information and Strategy to inform and update citizens on the achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel in various sectors.
As one of the many innovations that have intensified information management and sharing in the state, Tracking the Promise deploys pictures and graphic representations to propagate the many strides of the government, which have either gone unnoticed, unreported or under-reported.
The promises were made, and Governor Emmanuel has kept faith with his pledge in the near seven years of his administration. Counting down to the end, the completion agenda is still being prosecuted with enthusiasm and positive focus.
A look at Iquita General Hospital, Oron’s which has been completely renovated and upgraded gave me reasons to track the impact of the governor in this federal constituency, once known for her tale of neglect and despair.
Let me track Mr. Essien Ndueso, special assistant to the governor on research and documentation, who wrote an incontrovertible report on the projects executed by his boss in Oro Nation. He wrote:
“The story of Oron Federal Constituency has changed with the deliberate policy of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government to reinvent the good old days of Oro nation. The erosion that cut off the main expressway into the area, Oron Road, has been arrested and the road reclaimed.
“A visit to the coastal area today could show that while most projects have been completed, some others are at various stages of completion. The projects completed are the emergency works on the completion of urban roads, with over 10 roads completed and inaugurated by Governor Udom Emmanuel. The roads include: Anwana Esin Road, Efiat Lane, Mainland Avenue, Bassey Lane, Post Office Road, Convent – Ebo Street, Asbestonit/Customs Road, Oron Market Road, Murtala Road and Oron Expressroad – a distance of 600 meters from the Stadium Road Junction to Isangedighi Street Junction, all handled by Chinese firm, Wizchino Engineering Limited.
“It is worthy of note that the ongoing 14.5 kilometresAirport–Okopedi Road, linking Nsit Atai with Okobo on a dual thoroughfare was re-awarded in June 2019 to DPL Construction Company, Lagos, and is at 28 per cent progress. Still in Okobo, a six-kilometre road to the major Atabong Market, the NungAtai – Ebighi Eta – Atabong Market Road, is 30 per cent complete and work is intensifying on the project, handled by Dubai Construction Nigeria Limited.
“Other roads in the area are the 16.5km Udung Uko Secretariat Road, linking Ulliong Edikor – Uduetta Road with spur to connect Udung Uko, Oron and Mbo local government areas. The road is at 82 per cent completion and is handled by EVOMEC Global Services. And for those who may have forgotten, the government has re-awarded the 19km Etebi-Enwang Road project to Amitec Construction and Development Limited, and work has reached 78 per cent completion.
Before you dispute the facts, please find time to visit the locations of these projects.”
I took this challenge audaciously in the last line. Truth is, unlike the usual hype expected of a paid hireling of the governor without substance, he was speaking truth and the submissions are verifiable.
When Governor Emmanuel was campaigning, amidst the then hostile posturing of some stakeholders who felt shortchanged in Oro nation, he made a remarkable statement, which became his unique selling point. ‘I am that Oron governor you people are looking for.’
It was a reassuring and soothing pledge. ‘I will intervene in Oron Federal Constituency.’ Governor Emmanuel has kept his promise. Despite the misgivings about the Ibom Deep Seaport, which detractors wanted to incite to abuse his regard for his people of Oro extraction, the truth remains that Governor Emmanuel has done well to keep his promise to them.
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