By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has said that he has received threats and intimidations from individuals whose Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, for their undeveloped plots were revoked at the Itam Industrial Layout in Uyo but has said he would not succumb to them.
Eno who made this known while addressing worshippers during the August edition of Government House Prayer Meeting held at Latter House Chapel, Governor’s Lodge in Uyo yesterday said that such undeveloped plots were withdrawn from their owners because they saw it as a political settlement.
The Governor said that their refusal to develope their plots since 2015 was against government’s intention for allocating them and have continued to sabotage government’s genuine efforts to industrialize the state and create more employment opportunities for the people.
“Yes, we have revoked but if you have a business or something you want to do, please give your proposal to the Ministry of Trade and Investment and AKICORP is there, we will work with you.
“You will give us time line, what industry are you bringing, when will you start, How many people are you engaging, Then we will monitor you and give you that land.
“But to just take land and take C of O and take loan elsewhere and go and do something else, we won’t allow it. It is an industrial park. We need to get our people to work and that is just what it is.
“So, when people say I have revoked the C of O, please let them understand that if you come up with something you want to do, there is no guarantee that we will give you the one we revoked but we will give you a place there.
“We will give you a temporary C of O and monitor to ensure that you do what you say you will do. That is just it .We want to create jobs for our young people.
“So please, I know some of us the elites have lands there and have been calling me. Some have even threatened. But I have just heard the word of God. They are only but men.”
“Some have threatened, telling me you don’t start government like this, and you won’t get second term, fine, let’s just work first and let the people decide whether they will give us second term or not. I think that is the way to go.
“I will not live in fear. We will do the right thing. You can’t get a land, leave it undeveloped while some people are looking for lands to develop businesses and we can’t find any. It is not right please.” He explained.
The Governor attributed the delay in the commencement of projects on bureaucratic bottlenecks, saying that the State Executive Council and Finance And General Purpose Committee, FGPC , were yet to be constituted for approval of expenditure on the projects which he said were beyond his approval limit.
“Next week, we are flagging off some road projects. Why did we not do it before now, it is because the amount was more than what I could have approved solely as a Governor.
“I am a very procedural person. We needed to put Exco in place and we needed to constitute the FGPC so the amount will go first to the FGPC to get the approval before the award of contract for the projects.
“I know people were watching. If you award before doing those things, the House of Assembly will come after you. So I am also careful.
“So now that the Exco is in place, we will constitute FGPC on Tuesday, and then, we hope to get the approvals, then we will go and flag off roads.
“I think we will do one in Oron, one in Ikot Ekpene and then we take care of that erosion sites in Uyo. I have visited the place and already, houses are beginning to cave in so we need to work very quickly on those sites.” He stated.
Delivering a homily, the Chairman of Conference, United Evangelical Church, Rev. Samuel Ebukiba, admonished that it is important for a believer in Christ to be of good cheer in expression of faith and confidence in God.
Ebukiba said a believer’s cheerful disposition showcases his confidence in the existence, love, comfort and the power of his God.
