The ‘ARISE Ambassadors’, a Socio-political group in Akwa Ibom State has condemned Policy Alert’s criticisms against Governor Umo Eno for appointing over 368 persons as political Aides from across the wards in the State.
The group noted that the Civil Society Organisation was speaking from the position of ignorance to the enormous duties the appointees were billed to perform in the interpretation of the ARISE agenda of the governor at the grassroots.
It could be recalled that Policy Alert during the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2024-2026 Consultation in Akwa Ibom pointed out Gov Eno recruiting over 300 personal assistants, in addition to other advisers and aides to the governor would only create a bloated payroll that does not add any value other than the political.
The organization noted that the cost of governance in the State as seen in the trend of the State recurrent expenditure being higher than the capital expenditure has continued to give reason for concern.
However, the National Chairman of ARISE Ambassadors Revd. Richard Peters in a press conference with Journalists on Tuesday said the NGO is completely oblivious to the policy direction of the present administration in the state as captured in its ARISE Agenda Blueprint which placed so much emphasis on rural development
According to him, ” Beyond the basic obligations of government which is protection of lives and property, government is bound to make life more meaningful for its citizens.
“For Government to make positive impacts on the lives of her citizens, several programs and policies are designed and these are expected to be driven by people and not robots.
Governor Umo Eno has desired to reach every nook and cranny of the state and had announced 31 projects for the 31 local government areas of the state in addition to the ongoing ones, He needs people to assist him coordinate his programs and policies in the rural areas”.
He further highlighted, ” The Appointments of the 368 aides will not only add value to the effective administration at the grassroots level but also provide jobs for a good number of citizens and the positive multiplier effects will trickle down to several others who will be impacted both family members and others in the community” adding that government operates in strata for transparency and accountability in all its dealings.
“We sincerely disagree with Policy Alert on their position, the appointment had already enlivened the rural areas, the aides will help quicken the implementation of policies and programs, it has also shown the promised policy of inclusiveness in governance which the governor pledged, more people are now involved directly in policy formulation and implementation in the state”
Debunking the allegations of mismanagement of resources by the immediate past administration in the state through high cost of Governance, Revd Peters recalled, ” There is no basis for saying that as several reputable organisations including the US Consul General rated the past administration high in transparency and accountability in governance, The state also came top in budget implementation while the yearly audited account of the state is always put out in the public domain”
