Attah denounces lack of continuity in project execution by successive governors

Former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State has condemned the lack of continuity in the execution of projects by successive administrations saying it has led to the abandonment of many projects in the country.

Attah expressed displeasure that some of the key projects he initiated while in office between 1999 and 2007 had been abandoned by the successive administrations in the state saying the completion of such projects would have been for the good of the state.
Among the projects that have been abandoned in Akwa Ibom State include the multi million Ibom science park, the Ibaka deep sea port and the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Ibom international airport.

Similarly, the multi million Ibom Tropicana entertainment project initiated by the Akpabio administration is yet to be completed.
According to the former governor who during his tenure campaigned for resource control and fiscal federation, his administration had paid $5 million to a foreign consultant for the design of the Ibom seaport out of a contract fee of $10 million adding that it was difficult to understand why successive administration in the state could not complete the project.

Speaking on a radio programme, the former governor lamented that the concept behind the establishment of Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology had been abandoned when the institution was made a conventional University.
“The seaport was to be the hub for the West Coast, we paid the consultant $5 million for the design of the project, why the project cannot be completed, I do not know,’’ he said.

“ I fought all odds for the Akwa Ibom airport to be built, I feel sad that the MRO facility which would have been the centre of aircraft repairs in the country has been abandoned,’’ he said.

Attah who praised Lagos State for being one of the few states in the country that has maintained continuity in the execution of projects initiated by successive administrations said it was good for the state.

“One of the most successful state governments in Nigeria today is Lagos State government, the reason being that they have not executed any break in continuity in project implementation. A successor government liaises clearly with his predecessor to ensure continuity,’’ he said.

The former governor who praised President Muhammadu Buhari over his fight against corruption in the country however rejected insinuations that the fight was selective saying that it was only proper for the fight to be targeted at those who were in power before the President came into office.

“The easiest opportunity to be corrupt comes from people who were in government and the people who were in government were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) people. He has to fight those who were indulging in corruption and the people have to be PDP people because they were in government.

“Buhari is practical and he is going after those who committed corrupt practice,’’ he said.

Attah however criticised the handling of the security situation as it affects the herdsmen saying that they have been allowed to run riot raping and killing innocent people in various parts of the country adding that the herdsmen should be pursued with the same force that “we are pursuing insurgents in the country.’’