ARISE Agenda: Gov. Eno right on key sector reforms

By Solomon Essiet

To count the gains of the Arise Agenda successfully after two years of the Golden era Administration, is to count key sector-by-sector reforms undertaken by Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Transforming the State through key policy reformations by Governor Eno underscores his unwavering commitment to leading one of the fastest-developing states in Nigeria. Nothing could be more rewarding than the positive reforms that Governor Eno has successfully implemented to move Akwa Ibom State forward since he assumed office on 29th May, 2023.

Without attempting to exaggerate my position on major reforms carried out by Governor Eno, this article will attempt to expose the positive effort of the State Government in challenging the norms and precedents in some key sectors of Akwa Ibom State’s Economy.

Under this Administration, we have witnessed major reforms in key sectors such as Health, Education, Power, Housing, Security, Technology, Agriculture and Human Capital development.

The Governor is making a deliberate effort to ensure that he is leaving the State better than he found it. The Governor has judiciously applied the available resources in areas considered most relevant to the development of Akwa Ibom State.

Looking at the power sector, the 2-Day Electricity Summit convened by the Akwa State Government ended with Governor Eno disclosing plans to set up a State Electricity Regulatory Commission and an Electrification Agency.

According to the Governor, Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC) will provide fair tariffs, transparent licensing and independent oversight, while the Akwa Ibom State Electrification Agency (AISEA) will deliver electricity access to towns, villages, and underserved communities.

To set the ball rolling, the boards of the new Agencies will be constituted within one month to fulfill the long-term ambition.

As part of the Power sector reforms, Ibom Power Company will be commercialised as soon as possible, to raise capital and commence its urgent rehabilitation, while taking steps to establish the Akwa Ibom Electricity Distribution Company and upgrade the State distribution network that it operates.

The plan is to launch the Akwa Ibom Electricity market by licensing Ibom Power Company and the new Akwa Ibom State Electricity Distribution Company, with Akwa Ibom holding majority shares.

In finance, to ensure fiscal sustainability and a budgetary framework, the Governor directed the Ministry of Finance, the Internal Revenue Service, the Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission, and relevant Agencies to intensify their collective effort in mobilizing revenue streams, thereby facilitating a more streamlined and efficient funding mechanism for budgetary allocations.

Governor Eno has prioritized Agricultural development, implementing programmes that enhance food security and support for local farmers. Initiatives such as improved irrigation systems, access to modern farming equipment and training programmes have increased Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability.

The financial grants to farmers and traders in the recently concluded town-square meeting across the 10 federal constituencies have not just boosted the businesses of the beneficiaries, but repositioned our State’s economy for a more robust engagement.

Still in the area of Agriculture, in response to the rising cost of staple goods, the Governor initiated ‘Farm Free Days”. This initiative has encouraged workers to return to the farm, planting the essential food that we consume. The State Government has provided enhanced cassava cuttings, maize seeds, pumpkin seeds, fertilizers and other essential Agricultural inputs to local farmers. Akwa Ibom State Government has built a Model Farm at Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, the first of its kind in the State’s history.

By implementing the Songhai Farming model, the State Government has successfully integrated Agriculture with tourism and hospitality.

In education, Governor Eno has built model schools across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. This is a testament to his unprecedented commitment to ensuring that the poor kids in the public schools also have access to basic school facilities, as these schools are equipped with State-of-the-art facilities, such as a Library, a Computer laboratory, solar lights and a constant water supply. Also, the government ensures school uniforms, bags and school shoes are given to the children free of charge. In an effort to assist the students in higher education, Governor Eno has increased the bursary amounts from 10,000 to 20,000 Naira for undergraduates in general programmes, and from 10,000 to 30,000 Naira for those studying professional courses such as law, medicine, engineering, and Agriculture.

The Administration of Governor Eno has instituted a 100-million-dollar educational trust fund for students with disabilities. While the undergraduate students with disabilities were given 250,000 Naira, 300,000 Naira went to postgraduate students studying professional courses. Again, as regards educational reforms, the gesture is the first of its kind in the history of Akwa Ibom State.

This same administration has equally approved and paid a one-time wardrobe allowance of 1.1billion Naira to teachers in the State to encourage them to do more for the State Government. The State Government also paid ‘WAEC’ fees to the Senior Secondary School Students to support the parents of these students who may not be able to afford the fees.

In healthcare, significant investments have been made to improve facilities and access to medical services. One of the major reforms in healthcare is the successful launch of the Arise Care Medical Insurance Scheme.

The State Government also undertook to sponsor a percentage of the civil servants in the State. Thousands of households have also keyed into the State’s healthcare insurance scheme. Model healthcare centers have been built in most of the 31 Local Government Areas in one project per local government initiative.

The State Government is building dialysis centers across the 10 Federal Constituencies, to further stamp its foot on the health sector.
A world-class medical facility, Arise Senior Citizens Center, has been constructed by the Golden Era Administration to cater to the Senior Citizens. An initiative undertaken only by the Akwa Ibom State Government, according to available information.

Under Civil Service reforms, Governor Eno approved 80,000 Naira minimum wage for workers, higher than the 70,000 Naira benchmark by the Federal Government, of which some of the States are struggling to pay. Indeed, Akwa Ibom State is blessed with a compassionate Governor.

Governor equally approved 13th Month salary to all civil servants in the State, which he has successfully paid in the last two Christmas as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Governor Eno has so far paid gratuities to the tune of over 78 billion Naira out of the over 90 billion he inherited as an unpaid gratuity on his assumption of office.

In terms of technological advancement, the Civil Service has been digitalized to some extent, and more work is still being carried out to ensure a complete digitalization of the Civil Service. For the first time in Akwa Ibom State that people can be employed by merit instead of slots, godfatherism and man-know-man. Through the State employment portal, people are getting jobs and even contracts without any connection. This is one of the key reforms of Governor Eno, ensuring that the poor also breathe.

In capacity building, there is a huge investment and a social safety net for public servants in the State. For instance, Governor Eno gave out 150 units of two-bedroom apartments to junior workers between levels 1-8 through a raffle draw, in a free and fair process. The Governor has also allocated brand new vehicles to Permanent Secretaries in the State to enhance their productivity.

These and other key reforms in Akwa Ibom State have seen the State come forward as one of the best in Nigeria. The Governor’s investment in the tourism drive, a major sectoral reform, is subject to another day. I thank His Excellency for his commitment to the development of Akwa Ibom State. Happy 38th Anniversary, Akwa Ibomites.

Arise that same God.

Essiet, ACIA; Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State