December 21, (THEWILL) – The Special Adviser on Communication to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Aniekan Umana, has stated that the International Worship Centre built by the immediate past administration has not been abandoned or neglected because of its value spiritually and economically in the State.
He stated this when he was hosted by members of the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) on Thursday, during a live interview on a local radio station (Premium FM).
The former Information Commissioner and immediate past member representing Abak/Ika/Etim Ekpo Federal Constituency gave the explanation to dismiss insinuations that Governor Eno was not interested in completing and putting to use the million-dollar project initiated by his predecessor.
He further countered claims that the green area of the Unity Park used for the just-concluded State Carol was distorted.
“The Worship Centre has not been abandoned. The concept of the Worship Centre is a place to hold international worship events indoors.
“The concept of the Amphitheatre is to create a permanent open-air ambience that allows the setting to have that natural nature in that green area without necessarily distorting the greenness of the area. It’s a beautiful concept and there’s no distortion of the green area,” he explained.
Umana, who spoke extensively on the ARISE Agenda on his boss, Governor Eno, said it was an acronym for Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Development, Security and Education Management.
“The ARISE Agenda has five cardinal points and 18 sub-units under these cardinal points on which the current administration lays its foundation. What Pastor Umo Eno has done is to transit the ARISE Agenda from being his document to being a political party’s document and now to becoming a State document and the compass with which the ship of his administration would be navigating through the seas of development,” he stated.
For these, he applauded the State Governor for looking deep into the developmental gaps of the society and filling them with his Agenda. He further commended the Governor for keeping to his campaign promises of making his impact felt across all sectors of the State through various human empowerment, including the recent appointment of 600 aides, payment of gratuities, refurbishment of Christ the King Primary School along Wellington Bassey Way, among others.
In his response to why Governor Eno had yet to execute a major project since the commencement of his administration, the aide explained that the Governor came into office and inherited the budget of the immediate past government, and will soon have his budget passed into Law.
“The first time the Governor is going to have his own budget and project clearly outlined and mapped out is in the 2024 Appropriation. It will come because it can only come through the instrumentality of the Law, which is the Appropriation Act, the Bill will become law by 2024. So, Akwa Ibom people should exercise patience,” he said while calling on people of the State to support Governor Eno’s administration.
On why he accepted the offer to be one of the Honourary Special Advisers to Governor Eno, Hon. Umana said that he agreed to the appointment because he is in full support of the Governor, his governance of Akwa Ibom State and the ARISE Agenda.
“I cannot be bigger than the government. If I am invited to participate in the governance process in any capacity that the Governor deems fit, I have a duty to honour him.
“The role we’re privileged to play is advisory. I’m asked to play that role and I know I’m competent to offer such advice and knowledgeable enough to operate in that ecosystem,” he expressed.
He, therefore, promised to bring to bear his wealth of experience in his advisory role, while ensuring that strategies such as media intelligence, reputation mapping and tracking, which require in-depth knowledge and contact across ecosystems within the country, are effectively utilised.
