Akpan Umoh, Uyo
A governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, has said that he would ensure participation and independence of the three arms of government if elected governor of the state in 2023.
Owodiong-Edemeko, who is a former employee of ExxonMobil said this while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Monday on his 2023 political ambition.
The aspirant said he would evaluate all the ongoing projects, including the science park which was initiated by the Victor Attah administration between 1999 and 2007 explained that his decision to complete all the ongoing projects was to add value to taxpayers’ money.
“All previous projects embarked upon by the previous administration that have not been completed will be evaluated.
“This is the first thing I will do when I come into the office because I don’t believe that disagreeing with the previous administration should make you abandon projects sponsored by the taxpayers.
“Our industrial programme must be tied to specific resources that we have a competitive advantage. We have to develop our blue economy as we have the longest coastal areas in the country,” he said.
He said that he would ensure transparency in governance and ensure youth’s engagement to eradicate violence and youths restiveness.
The aspirant, a former student union leader, who is among the nine aspirants, who have so far obtained governorship nomination forms said that he would set up Diaspora Fund to help in developing the state to complete ongoing projects.
Owodiong-Edemeko said he would build a strong democracy practice and accountable government while elected officials would be held accountable in a bid to deepen democracy.
The governorship aspirant, who had in 2015 aspired to be a senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East said he would develop the youths and encourage sports in addition to giving much attention to women’s development.
“With regards to youths, I think that is an area we are really here to advocate for human capacity development and we will work for human capacity development.
“I want to keep sports separate but bring youths and sports together because they are the most vulnerable in our society.
“We will deliver in four thematic areas of human development including economic empowerment for our women and see how we can end the issue of violence in the society,” he said.
Owodiong-Edemeko said he was in the governorship race to win having been involved in leadership positions in all his career including his university days.
He commended the administration of Gov Udom Emmanuel for its industrialisation programme, saying a lot has been done as seen in the aviation sector and the establishment of many factories.