The Uyo Senatorial District Media Professionals Forum (USDMPF) has condemned Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe’s criticism of Governor Umo Eno’s development projects, describing his remarks as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine the achievements of the state government.
The Forum, in a press release jointly signed by its President, Clement Warrie, and Secretary, Comrade Itorobong Umoh, faulted Udoedehe’s description of the governor’s development initiatives as mere construction of bungalows, insisting that the administration’s record extends beyond basic infrastructure.
It said Governor Eno’s achievements in three and a half years included the construction of over 1,500 kilometres of roads and 41 bridges across the 31 local government areas, 32 model primary schools and 31 primary healthcare centres.
The Forum also listed the recruitment of 2,854 medical personnel, enrolment of over 230,000 residents in the State Health Insurance Scheme, construction of more than 461 ARISE Compassionate Homes, delivery of over 1,048 housing units and payment of over ₦100 billion out of the ₦111 billion inherited gratuity and pension liabilities.
According to the Forum, the administration has further disbursed over ₦2 billion in agricultural grants to farmers, acquired five new aircraft for Ibom Air, completed the international terminal at Victor Attah International Airport and developed the ARISE Palm Resort.
It argued that these projects constituted a broader development agenda and could not reasonably be reduced to the construction of bungalow structures.
The Forum maintained that model schools and primary healthcare centres should be assessed based on their functionality and impact on beneficiaries rather than their architectural designs.
It noted that accessible healthcare facilities and conducive learning environments were more important to rural communities than the number of floors in public buildings.
The group also cited the ongoing construction of the 300-bed Ibom International Hospital, the completed Ibom International Hotel and the 5,000-capacity Ibom International Convention Centre as evidence that the administration was also undertaking large-scale and aesthetically impressive projects.
While acknowledging the right of political actors to criticise government policies and pursue political ambitions, the Forum said such criticism should be based on facts and accompanied by credible alternative proposals.
It challenged Udoedehe to provide specific alternatives to the administration’s investments in education, healthcare and tourism, as well as outline the accountability framework he would adopt if elected to govern the state.
The Forum further argued that public infrastructure should be evaluated by its usefulness to the people rather than by architectural considerations.
It urged the former senator to embrace issue-based politics and present what it described as a credible and costed alternative to the policies he had criticised.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to projecting the achievements of the ARISE Agenda, adding that it would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and development of Akwa Ibom State.
