Sir:I was disappointed reading ThisDay of April 29, 2009 (on page 9) of a story with the headline “FG Returns 186 Oil Wells to A’Ibom”. I was not disappointed because of the return of the Oil Wells, but for what Governor Akpabio was quoted thus: “(his) administration’s readiness to hold a thanksgiving service at Ibom Hall, Uyo, to appreciate God as the architect behind the return of the oil wells to the State and for raising the status of the State to become the highest oil producer not only in Niger Delta but also in Nigeria as a whole”.
He went further to say that the indigenes should “pray to ensure that 80% of the expected revenue increase should not find its way into private pocket but in executing development projects in the State”. One was at a loss what the last quote meant.
One then ask why such elaborate thanksgiving service and which God would receive prayer where someone further enriches himself by impoverishing his brother. It will be recalled that 76 out of the 186 oil wells were those taken from Cross River State thereby relegating (it) to non-oil-producing State, while the rest probably from Rivers State; both have gone to court to challenge this.
It will also be recalled that Akwa Ibom was relegated to non-oil producing status during Obasanjo administration but this was later resolved. It first gained oil-producing status when ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, abrogated the obnoxious on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy through the intervention of a respected daughter of Akwa Ibom State, the Lady of Songs, Christy Essien Igbokwe, MFR and who information confirmed also played important roles in the private life of Governor Akpabio. Funny enough, it was this same lady that Akpabio’s government tried to crush her family’s business, for reason later traced to be her husband’s closeness to former Governor Attah. Akpabio had severally acknowledged Obong Attah, who appointed him as commissioner to various key ministries for six years, as his political mentor but the duo’s relationship has since gone sour.
Olufemi Adisa
55 Akiolu Crescent
Ring Road
IBADAN
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