...Says Bungalow Structures are not
Empowerment
...Questions ₦3trn revenue
...Challenges Governor on abandoned Ibom Hotels, oil wells, deteriorating roads
Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, has launched a blistering attack on Governor Umo Eno's development priorities, declaring that the State has witnessed an unacceptable decline in infrastructure and economic advancement despite trillions of naira accruing to the present administration.
Akpanudoedehe, who accused the governor of prioritising debt repayment over economic empowerment and infrastructure development, challenged him to account for over ₦3 trillion allegedly accrued to the state government since the inception of his administration.
The former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, who spoke during the presentation of his party's 2027–2031 governorship manifesto on Monday, November 2 in Uyo, said Akwa Ibom had lost its reputation as a leading destination for development, arguing that the state was gradually settling for projects that lacked the scale and transformative impact expected of a government with enormous financial resources.
Taking particular exception to the administration's Compassionate Homes initiative and other bungalow-type structures, Akpanudoedehe questioned whether such projects represented the development priorities of a state government.
"When did we begin settling for bungalow projects? What exactly is a Compassionate Home? It is the kind of project that the wife of a local government chairman should be able to undertake?," he questioned.
He also queried the construction of model primary schools and health centres, insisting that such projects fundamentally fell within the responsibilities of local government councils.
The ADC candidate challenged Governor Eno to clarify whether the projects were being financed with state government resources or local government funds, arguing that the State should be pursuing more ambitious infrastructure and economic development programmes.
He further accused the administration of neglecting critical road infrastructure, citing the deplorable condition of roads in Uyo, particularly Itu Road, Church Road and adjoining areas, which he described as death traps.
According to him, the State capital has become a "headquarters of potholes", a situation he said was inconsistent with Akwa Ibom's previous record of infrastructure development.
Akpanudoedehe who recalled that successive administrations had undertaken projects that significantly altered the State's development landscape listed the Ibom International Airport, Ibom Le Meridien Hotel, Science Park, Ibom Power, dual carriageways and ring roads as some of the landmark initiatives of former Governor Victor Attah.
He also credited former Governor Godswill Akpabio with the Government House, E-Library, International Stadium and several road projects, while identifying the 10-lane ring road, 21-storey building, Ibom Air and International Worship Centre as major projects executed under former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
He argued that the scale of those investments had established Akwa Ibom as a destination for major development projects, questioning why the present administration appeared to be lowering the State's development ambitions.
On revenue management, the ADC candidate faulted Governor Eno's public emphasis on clearing inherited debts, arguing that borrowing was not inherently detrimental to development when loans were invested in productive, people-centred projects.
He challenged the governor to explain why debt repayment appeared to command greater attention than investments capable of creating jobs, expanding economic opportunities and empowering residents.
Akpanudoedehe also raised questions over the status of the disputed oil wells between Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, demanding clarification on whether the state had lost any oil wells and the implications for its 13 per cent oil derivation revenue.
He further criticised the administration's reported position on direct government involvement in industrial development, insisting that even where government did not establish industries itself, it had a responsibility to create an enabling environment for private investment and job creation.
The ADC candidate particularly cited the continued closure of Ibom Hotels, formerly Le Meridien, alleging that over ₦25 billion had been budgeted for its renovation without the facility returning to operation.
He accused the administration of neglecting the hospitality asset while pursuing alternative accommodation projects, which he claimed could undermine employment and investment opportunities associated with the hotel.
He also expressed concern over complaints by contractors who, according to him, were struggling to repay bank loans because of delays in the approval and payment of executed projects.
Akpanudoedehe's criticisms formed part of his presentation of the ADC's 2027–2031 manifesto, tagged Rich Land, Poor People, which he said was designed to reposition Akwa Ibom from a consumption-driven economy to one anchored on productive investment, economic empowerment and shared prosperity.
He maintained that the state required a new development philosophy that prioritised the people as the principal beneficiaries of government resources rather than the proliferation of projects he considered insufficient to transform the economy.
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