By Emeka Ogenyi
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang has expressed dismay over the concentration of state projects in ONNA, the home Local Council of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom.
The Senator, who described the act as “politics of gluttony,” said this following alleged attempts by the governor to hijack the recently approved Federal University of Technology meant for Akwa Ibom to his hometown.
Enang told a press conference in Uyo over the weekend that for justice, fairness, and equity to prevail, the institution should be sited in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
“The self-centered manner of the governor for stretching his hands and seeking to site the University at his home is not encouraging.
“I want to say that the whole of Akwa Ibom people should rise up including the traditional rulers, the youth leaders and politicians across political parties and try to encourage Governor Udom Emmanuel that he should accept and work for the establishment of this University in Ikot Abasi and not Onna.
“He had formally made a request that the University should be sited in ONNA. I considered this as improper, imprudent and not acting as governor of the state. If everything that comes to Akwa Ibom has to go to ONNA, then the governor is acted in a manner that could best be described as Udomcentric and self-centered.
“He is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. His duty is not to think of taking everything home. As a Governor, Udom Emmanuel should work for the growth of the whole state and not just his LGA.
“ONNA has the University Teaching Hospital built by Abdusalem, flower mill, syringe factory, all the roads, biggest estate own by one person.” He explained.
Enang further disclosed that the Federal government was applying the federal character to spread the Federal Universities to the three Senatorial Districts, a factor which he said, shifted the newly established university to Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
He noted that both Oron and Eket Federal Constituencies had Federal Institutions, thereby making it possible for the school to be sited in Ikot Abasi even as the Federal Ministry of education would soon make a pronouncement regarding the site of the Federal University of Technology.
