State Of The State...As Powered By Alo Umunne...

And Written By

Chris McCool Nwosu
President, AU

22 Months After, How Has Obiano Fared?

During the rigorous campaign that preceded his election, His Excellency, Gov. Willie Mmaduabuchi Obiano promised Ndi Anambra that his administration, when elected, will continue and complete development projects initiated by his predecessor. He went further to assure that mega projects will be commissioned to avail Awka a status befitting of a state capital.

Quite significantly too, he promised among other things that while striving to attain the above, the well being of Ndi Anambra will not be toyed with. Hence, the now famous “Ana alu olu, ana alu madu cliché; a commendable decision and an angle that was not vigorously attended to by his predecessor cum mentor.

How has the Obiano administration fared twenty-two months down the lane? Especially in the light of the national economic glut that coincided with the inception of his government?

An unbiased evaluation will indicate that he has not done badly when viewed from the broader perspective of the ratio of development activities going on in other states of the federation; those with super economic windows and oil revenue inclusive.

Some have argued that it has to be so granted the solid foundation laid by the preceding administration; while others are quick to point at the #75billion (in cash and investments) bequeathed to the new administration as compelling reasons why Obiano must do well. We, at Alo Umunne, can’t agree less. But the fact on ground in our dear state today remains that workers are not owed salaries. The tempo of work on most project sites may have slowed down quite alright, but signature projects initiated by the Obiano administration in Akwa and elsewhere are still receiving commendable attention in the face of the crunching economic glut that has rendered most states prostrate and debt-ridden - to the extent that some now owe almost a year salary backlog.

The administration has also done very well in sustaining security of lives and property; same is applicable to agriculture and the impressive drive for investment inflow, which are potential alternatives for Oil Revenue when fully actualized. The state’s IGR has been improved from what it used to be. A few dissent here and there on the sources of improving its IGR notwithstanding, Alo Umunne is of the firm opinion that our people must be encouraged to pay taxes which, by the way, we do (and much more) without much ado in the different states where our businesses are domiciled. We however insist that earnings from such windows must not only be judiciously utilized, but seen to be so by the tax payers themselves.

Having laid these impressive foundations, the task before Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration now is to prod companies and organizations that have entered into various MoUs’, but which are yet to set in motion, on-the-ground-modalities for their actualization to do so without further delay. We, at Alo Umunne, have no iota of doubt that when these arrangements are fully brought to fruition, hopefully in his first tenure of office, most of his critics shall come to the sudden realization that he not only meant well for the state, but has consolidated that solid foundation he met most creatively.

We quicken to suggest that Gov. Obiano should be quick to sanction firms that lack the resources and expertise to translate and execute their obligations in the respective MoUs’ they entered into with his government within the stipulated time frame. This will serve as a deterrent to dubious firms whose intent may be solely to take advantage of the state government’s quest to improve and redirect her economy to appropriate massive expanse of land without the slightest intention to honor terms and conditions.

Another area that has drawn the ire of critics is what most of them describe as “his bogus cabinet” - especially with regards to the number of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) so far appointed. While some quarrel with the obvious lopsidedness in apportioning these appointments, others are entirely of the view that the austere times we find ourselves in demands that the number of such un-statutory appointments which significantly adds to the recurrent budget be cut down to save money for capital projects.

Alo Umunne thinks that His Excellency’s benevolence in that direction may well be in pursuit of his promise to pursue structural development initiatives alongside welfare and human capital development as encapsulated earlier. We however agree with the critics on the need for down-sizing to lessen the financial burden of the state. Accordingly, we urge His Excellency to consider the option seriously when next he embarks on a cabinet reshuffle. As he contemplates that, we passionately appeal to our colleagues in social media activism cum advocacy to show maturity and understanding in criticizing government’s activities.

We condemn in the strongest terms, the use of foul language and/or images while criticizing government activities or when referring to the first family. Consequently, Alo Umunne urges Ndi Anambra who exercises these habits to apply restraint forthwith. Even while disagreeing to agree, we must not lose sight of the fact that Anambra prides herself as “Light of the Nation”. Where then is the example if we chose to dwell in the gutter while addressing each other?

Alo Umunne notes the monumental effort that His Excellency has exerted in regenerating Anambra’s legacy party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) since the inception of his administration and commends his doggedness and commitment in that direction. We further note that most of the reasons some APGA faithful (some of our members inclusive) appear either disenfranchised and/or hurt today predated Gov. Obiano’s coming and were therefore not entirely his making. It is therefore wrong to hold him responsible for their plight. Accordingly, we urge all such individuals to forgive, let go and lend that colossal critical support that will propel the Obiano administration to maximize its development potentials for the good of the state.

We recognize that His Excellency is human and is therefore not infallible. Only God is. As a result, we, at Alo Umunne, do not belong to the league of individuals and organizations that will, in crass exhibition of sycophancy and praise-singing that is quite detrimental to the larger interest of state, praise and hail Akpokuedike’s every move and/or decision. Those who do so are the real enemies of dear state. As human, he’s prone to making mistakes and not incapable of taking wrong decisions. When such happens, our responsibility as patriots is not just to criticize but to proffer solutions devoid of insults and abuses - either targeted at government, the first family or ourselves as the case may be.

If it is settled that the mass of angst that has occasioned so much internal disaffection in APGA predated Obiano’s coming, (save of course for the little storms trailing the recent congresses of the party in the state) the party’s current leadership at the national and state levels must move to assuage frayed nerves - especially those known to have immensely contributed to the success of the party in bringing about the Obiano administration. To do otherwise may be counterproductive in the future. Time ticks…

Alo Umunne aligns herself with the editorial in the current edition of the Catholic Outlook (the in-house newspaper of the Catholic Dioceses of Nnewi) which called for rapprochement between their Excellencies, Gov. Willie Obiano and his predecessor, former Gov. Peter Obi. This was exactly the import of our recent communiqué which individuals and aides suspected to be close to the seat of power (And who apparently are profiting from festering the feud) chose to interpret to suit their whims and caprices.

We careless though over such self serving efforts and indulgences by the real enemies of state and will remain steadfast and more concerned with how best Anambra could be moved forward on all fronts.

To achieve the rapprochement between Gov. Obiano and his predecessor, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, as advocated by Anambra’s men and women of goodwill, is paramount and therefore a compelling task for all. Paramount in the sense that once this is achieved, the internal political divide amongst party faithful presently threatening to tear our state to shreds will cease thenceforth. And His Excellency, the Governor will once again enjoy the support and cooperation of all. That will in turn provide the necessary atmosphere that will enable him move the state to the next level - the current economic downturn across the country notwithstanding.

Finally, Alo Umunne wishes to remind the divides in the ruling party in the state that going by our recent history, Ndi Anambra are better off with APGA. It therefore behoves all to sheathe their swords, reconcile whatever internal differences that exist and work in peace and harmony for the greater good of the state. That, in our candid opinion, is what Anambra requires today!

TAI EMEKA OBASI
Director of Communications, AU

Alo Umunne, also known as G-20, is a Group of Anambrarians that love and fight for the progress of the State and also power APGA Global Initiative (AGI) and ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE DIASPORA on social media