New governor’s lodge: Group to hold protests in A’Ibom, Lagos
Akwa Ibom Conscience, a non-partisan association, is set to hold a peaceful protest to express its disapproval with the decision by Udom Emmanuel, the state governor, to construct a new governor’s lodge in Lagos.
In a statement by Inibehe Effiong, the protest convener, the group described the project as a waste, given the economic situation in Akwa Ibom.
According to the statement, the protest will hold in Lagos and Akwa Ibom on August 10 and August 11, respectively.
The group said the state house of assembly approved N9.1 billion for the project but the state commissioner for information “claimed that the cost is N2 billion”.
It also said Emmanuel initially denied the existence of such a project in the budget while addressing the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) in Uyo, the state capital, on August 4.
“Whatever the cost of the proposed new lodge or the arguments for same, Akwa Ibom people have rejected it. Akwa Ibom already has two facilities in Lagos State: a liaison office and a lodge. It also has same facilities/properties in Abuja,” the statement read.
“Yearly, funds are voted for their maintenance. Yet, it has no economic value to the state. The contention that the facilities are maintained to attract investors is neither supported by evidence nor logic.
“We demand that the proposed project should be immediately expunged from the main and supplementary budgets, and the funds, no matter how “paltry”, should be channelled to productive sectors that will generate jobs for unemployed youths.”
The Lagos protest is scheduled to commence by 8am at the Akwa Ibom state liaison office in Lagos located at Ajose Adeogun Street, while the Uyo protest will take-off from Ibom Plaza to the government house at Willington Bassey way in Uyo.
This protest is not necessary. Mr. Udom is a banker and he knows where to invest our money that will yield dividend. What do they want him to do? To share this money or to invest in meaningful project that will yield dividend? Our problem is that we are not properly informed about government decisions and policies. As long as we are ignorant, we will continue to remain where we are. When Mr. Audu Ogbe, Minister of Agric. was suggesting importation of grasses for cattle, we all kicked against it until he came on TV to give detailed explanation for his decision. Let’s give him a chance for I believe strongly that he has good plans for the state.
Pray, tell us what is the economic benefit to Akwa Ibom of having Two Government Lodge in Lagos, when we have more than enough Top class Hotels in Lagos to provide accommodation who are on their way to Akwa Ibom. The funds should be channeled to provide more infrastructures inside Akwa Ibom state.
I THINK WE HAVE 2 LOGE IN LAGOS STATE WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF BUILDING ANOTHER ONE I THINK THE MONEY SHOULD BE USE IN DOING ANOTHER MEANING PROJECT IN AKWA IBOM STATE THEIR ARE MANY PROJECT LYING DOWN THERE WHICH NEED ABSOLUTE ATTENDING WE SHOULD TRY TO INVEST IN THE STATE