Where Are Udom’s Industries In A’Ibom?

Technocrats and management experts have identified lack of professional hands in the Akwa Ibom State government as the root cause of leadership crisis in the state
A management and administration expert, Dr. Uduak Usoro said though the Udom Emmanuel led state administration has achieved a lot in terms of political stability and peace in the state, but his cabinet is made up of square pegs in round holes.
According to him, some sensitive ministries should be manned by professionals and experts if the state is to make meaningful progress. “Obong Victor Attah was only able to design the aesthetics of the state and the master plan because himself(sic) is an architect.
“He designed the Ibom connection and other strategic locations in the state, especially the state capital, Uyo by himself, because he knew what the new state needed then.”
“But today, the story is different. Appointments into strategic and sensitive offices are totally political. The only thing I don’t like about Udom is that his cabinet has no professional touch.
“For instance, the commissioner of information is not a journalist; the commissioner of works who is supposed to be either a structural or civil engineer is a novice in the area. The commissioner of environment, instead of being an environmental scientist, is a lawyer, who knows little of nothing about environmental issues.
“I know the ministries have experts whose duty are(sic) to advise the commissioner, but the leader should have his own initiatives and should be able to know when a proposal or a design is faulty.
“Apart from the state exco and other boards and parastatals, even the party structure is equally managed by square pegs in round holes. To the best of my knowledge, the state PDP has public relations practitioners, but the publicity department of the party is headed by a lawyer.”
Dr. Usoro however agreed that anyone can head those offices especially those who are gifted, but noted that some professions like the media had a body of ethics and professional conducts, which are only known to journalists. “This is why my state government does not have the image it deserves.”
It could be recalled that a forthnight ago, Ray Ekpu, a renowned journalism doyen, in a media workshop in Uyo, described social media bloggers as “dirty jobbers” and those who have jeopardized the dignity of the noble profession of journalism.
Also speaking, head of department of Mass Communication in the Albercon Polytechnic, Eket, Dr. Essien Ekefre blamed the state government for the scourge.
According to him, “The state government had over 50 facebook bloggers and facebook journalists in their payroll, while professional journalists are roaming the street for job. The system does not believe in professionalism,” he said.