BEVERLY HILLS, April 05, (THEWILL) – UDEME UTIP from Uyo writes on the moves to address the infrastructural deficit in public institutions in Akwa Ibom through the state’s Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC)
In most organizations, leaders and managers often propose change and continuous improvement but their actions do not match their words.
They fail to walk their talk. This explains why inspirational writer, Israelmore Ayivor, noted that “words do less than 10 things, but actions do 10 thousand things.. “.
Great leaders build muscles which make it clear to others the kind of leadership quality and what they purpose to achieve. This requires some level of uprightness and moral fiber that allow them to power through difficult situations.
When he assumed office as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel had pledged his commitment to revamp the education sector in the state.
Without sounding immodest, the governor only inherited a free and compulsory education policy at primary and secondary levels which had been running for years. However, the growing influx of pupils and students intake ensured that school enrolment could not keep pace with available infrastructure.
This is where the big work had to be done. And Ayivor may have had a person in the mould of Udom Emmanuel in mind in his quotation above, when he concluded that, “Leaders don’t talk in vain; they follow with actions”.
The Interministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC) is a government agency saddled with the responsibility of addressing infrastructure deficit in public institutions in the state and Mr Sampson Idiong , SSA to the governor on IMDLCC, has given all his time and energy to the task.
In the area of education; school blocks with broken walls, leaking roofs; those without desks, toilet facilities, water and other infrastructure have been given a facelift. The impressive reconstruction work has repositioned hundreds of public schools in the state and created conducive learning environments.
Besides primary and post primary, IMDLCC has also provided timely interventions for critical infrastructure for tertiary education in the state. Beyond the necessary upgrades, the beauty of the projects lies in the direct and indirect jobs for thousands of Akwa Ibom people which has, in the process, strengthened the economy of the state and improved the economic welfare of many families.
In his second term, Mr. Emmanuel’s completion agenda has sustained the momentum in revamping of dilapidated schools for sustained growth and improvement in education.
A few weeks back, a good number of Akwa Ibom youths received award letters from IMDLCC for rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools. This was in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to empower the youths of the state. Done with documentation processes, the resource persons were fully mobilized to sites.
Sources have hinted that, soon, other stakeholders would be mobilised for another stream of empowerment through interministerial jobs.
As a matter of commitment and dexterity, the IMDLCC had chosen to hand over project sites to resource persons on the basis of senatorial districts. Each of the three senatorial districts is headed by a Special Assistant to the Governor on projects monitoring with a few team members. The decision will ensure that the handing and taking over processes are fast, smooth and convenient. This way, jobs will commence on time and be completed on schedule.
In Uyo senatorial district, such project sites include Holy Child Convent Primary School, Anua Offot, Uyo local government area, Comprehensive High School Idu Uruan in Uruan L.G.A and West Itam Secondary School in Itu local government area.
There are also projects at Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ibom, Etinan and Ibiono Ibom local government areas. According to the Special Assistant to the Governor on Interministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, Idiong, each House of Assembly member nominated two-four classroom blocks for renovation and the construction of 600 dual desks in their respective constituencies.
The inspection teams must however be commended for giving their best. The IMDLCC performance has cemented the impression of achievement for the Udom Emmanuel administration. Irrespective of criticisms from opposing camp , IMDLCC has given another face to the present administration.
The IMDLCC’s quality intervention deliveries have also transformed the health sector where moribund and dilapidated hospitals across the state have worn new looks. Ultimately, this rare show of commitment, dedication and ingenuity have facilitated the realisation of the governor’s vision for institutional improvements, human empowerment and the completion agenda.
