by Nurat Uthman
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State said he would soon dissolve the State Executive Council as well as statutory and non-statutory boards.
Eno who stated this during a media briefing to mark the 37th anniversary of the creation of the state, said such dissolution would not come as a surprise to the commissioners who had given their time and energy to the development of the state.
Recall that governor Eno inherited all the commissioners but one (commissioner of Internal Security and Waterways) and other aides from past administrations, with some of them working with more than three governments.
He stressed that though there was the urgent need to rejig the system which even the commissioners themselves are aware, but in doing so, “it wouldn’t be just waking up in the morning to announce a cabinet reshuffle”.
The governor stated that he was looking for the right and appropriate time to have a valedictory session and appreciate the commissioners and the board members for their immense contribution to the development of the state.
“Both the EXCO and the board, statutory and non-statutory boards are due for dissolution, there is no doubt about that. But it will not come as a surprise, I know that we will dissolve the board and we will also dissolve the EXCO.
“Sixteen months into a new administration, you need to rejig the system and members of the Executive Council know that we must rejig the system, but I want to promise them that we will not do it as a surprise.
“Some of them have been there from three administrations, some were my colleagues in the last administration. So you don’t just wake up in the morning and say that the EXCO is dissolved, we will do them the honour of having a valedictory session and then dissolve the EXCO and change the system, but we have to make sure we look for the right and appropriate time,” Eno stated.
On the benefits accruing the state from his close affinity with the Federal Government, Eno said such can be qualified in terms of security and support to execute some projects being undertaken by the state government.
According to him, “We believed that part of the benefits we will derive from our robust relationship that we are building with the Federal Government is to get them to be able to support some of the projects we are doing in the state.
“We need to have that synergy with the Federal Government and to have even the peace we are enjoying today, that synergy is very important. When you don’t have that synergy in some states in this country, you know the results, so we will continue to build on that synergy, build on that relationship. It may not be something you see now, but the fact that you have a platform to discuss is very important.”
