May 14, (THEWILL)- The Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Revd. Richard Peters, has berated Civil Society Organisations for the recent below-average rating of the Governor’s achievements within his first year, describing it as biased and misinforming.
The leadership of CSOs in Akwa Ibom State had recently criticised the performance of the Governor in the last eleven months, giving him a below-average rating.
However, addressing Journalists in the state on Monday evening, Rev. Peters expressed scepticism about the integrity of the supposed human rights group.
According to him, “What was churned out by the group is neither disinformation nor misinformation, it is purely a case of misinformation on the part of the CSO. How can they talk about issues they have a paucity of information on?
“We are not ignorant of the fact that being a mercenary CSO, they are willing tools in the hands of those who are yet to wake up from the nightmare of their total rejection at the polls by Akwa Ibom people in 2023. But we would have expected their propaganda to eschew banality.”
Rev. Richard said anyone who formed the group to criticise the Governor on employment is completely misinformed.
He enumerated Governor Eno’s efforts in employment and empowerment of Akwa Ibom youths, saying: “Beginning from what happened last week in Akwa Ibom State, it was quite unprecedented for 800 youths to be empowered in one fell swoop.
“With the N400 million injected into the economy of the State through these entrepreneurs, Governor Eno showed clearly that he is committed to building a future for the youths of the state.”
Peters highlighted further that the various initiatives of the Governor naturally hatch employment for the people. According to him, the Ibom Model Farms, the aviation sector development as well as the aggressive rural development have provided employment and empowerment for the people.
“Are they not aware that the various projects going on in the different local government areas are handled by indigenes of the respective areas? Or would they have celebrated capital flights in the name of foreign contractors? It shows clearly that they are alien to the thrust and operations of the ARISE Agenda.
“For instance, under the Governor’s blueprint in education, with the flagship in primary education, our people are empowered through the sewing of school uniforms, school bags and shoes for the pupils. That is how unknowledgeable the CSOs are, and they are liberal enough to suffocate us with their embarrassing ignorance,” he posited.
Rev Peters, however, hinted that the numerous primary healthcare centres built by Governor Eno signify that employment is in the waiting for those in the sector.
According to him, “Governor Umo Eno has even spoken about proposed employment of medical personnel, where he stressed that there will not be any favouritism or compromise in the exercise. I do not know where these people get their own information. Could people still be this ignorant in this era of freedom of information? They can just go to the relevant government agencies and be schooled on the accomplishments of Governor Umo Eno. Society expects better from these people if truly they are a human rights group.
“In any case, the duty of the government is basically to create an enabling environment for investments to thrive, that will breed employment for the citizens. Governor Eno is doing that excellently. The records are impressive even though the administration is just beginning.”
On the allegations of insecurity in the Umo Eno administration, Rev. Peters said one of the legacies of the immediate past administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel was peace and security.
He noted that Governor Eno has not only sustained the peace but has gone further to take initiatives that will make Akwa Ibom State retain its position as the most peaceful State in Nigeria.
“Recall that Governor Umo Eno started by nipping it in the bud with the creation of a novel Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways. That showed the priority the Governor gave to the security of the State. He went further to launch the Community Watch Security Outfit, which engaged our youths from the units in the villages. They serve as informants to the statutory security agencies, and that has helped us tremendously.
“It is shocking that the so-called CSO made no mention of the fantastic relationship the Akwa Ibom State Government has with the security agencies. This led to the donation of operational vehicles to the security agencies as well as boats to ensure the safety of our waterways. And people are blinded to this? Then there must be something fundamentally wrong, and we must ask the CSO the relevant questions,” he said.
He described the group’s insinuation of financial mismanagement by the Governor as “laughable and a height of intentional disinformation”.
“The beauty of it is that Akwa Ibom people are better informed. Everyone witnessed the prudent financial propriety of the Governor. He is a stickler for financial decency, credibility, integrity and accountability. This shows from appropriations to implementation, where he respects the rule of law and separation of powers, allowing the legislature to play its role in the financial appropriation of the State.
“Is it not ridiculous and ironic for anyone to link the same man with allegations of financial mismanagement? I think they did not do enough homework on their veiled blackmail,” Rev. Richard submitted.
He equally dismissed the group’s allegation that the bulk purchase scheme of the government is a drain pipe which permits leakage of State funds.
“I feel particularly sad to hear this from people who are supposed to be on the side of the masses. When a civil society group condemns a Governor for being compassionate to the less privileged and vulnerable members of the society, then we have to investigate whether the group is truly for the society.
“The bulk purchase agency is a stop-gap arrangement of the Governor to ensure that while everyone returns to the farm to ensure food sufficiency and food security, those who are not as strong should be fed, pending when food is available, affordable and accessible to all.
“By the organisation of the programme, nobody touches money. It is a voucher-driven programme. And the beauty of it is that nobody has a monopoly on the programme. Your role ends where that of others begins. This independent but interconnected relationship keeps everyone on their toes, which naturally builds checks and balances,” the media aide averred.
He, therefore, called on the CSOs to desist from disseminating misleading information to the public, as people would have naturally held them in high esteem.
“It is evident that this flawed communique is a reflection of a bereft group. They should seek information before running to the press to avert misleading information like they are causing with this.
“Governor Umo Eno is doing excellently well and should be celebrated by all, including the CSO. But if they cannot commend him for what he has done, let them not say what he has not done,” Rev. Peters maintained.
