By Osondu Ahirika
The Obong Paul Ekpo led executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State Chapter have held a major meeting with Chairmen and Members of the newly constituted Boards and Commissions in the State.
In what he described as a "heart to heart parley" with the members of Boards and Commissions, Obong Ekpo who acknowledged that, the meeting is the first of its kind, said, the Party deemed the meeting necessary and expedient, because, it had to intimate and align the members of Boards and Commissions with the programmes, campaign promises and manifesto of the PDP, so that, they do not falter or alienate the people in the course of their duty and thereby put the Governor Udom Emmanuel led PDP administration in the state, in bad light.
The State Chairman of the PDP congratulated the Appointees and commended Governor Emmanuel for painstakingly identifying and appointing men and women with credible track records of performance, integrity and experience to help in advisory capacities and lead the Boards and commissions in the state.
He charged the appointees to see the privilege as an opportunity to contribute their quota to the service of the state, its citizens and God and stressed that, they could not afford to fail, bicker or stray from the vision of Governor Emmanuel which is enunciated in the Five point agenda and the Dakkada initiative and described the as ambassadors of the administration in the state.
On why the party convened the parley, Obong Ekpo explained that, it is the Party that stands for election by fielding candidates and people vote for the party. As such, he harped that the party cannot afford to stand aside and look while any quarter derails or defeats the noble objectives of the party in delivering democracy dividends and good governance to the people. He said the PDP wanted to sufficiently avail the appointees all the structures for crisis management and conflict resolution mechanisms so that there will be no friction whatsoever as they set about discharging their duties.
Ekpo, who encouraged the appointees to make performance their yardstick in office, with a charge on them to see their appointment as a call to service and make extra-ordinary efforts to move Akwa Ibom forward.
The Boards and Commission Chairmen that were invited for the parley include, the Sir Dr. Valentine Attah led Local Government Service Commission, the State Civil Service Commission led by Mr Sunny Akpadiaha as Chairman and the Bishop Andrew Uwanta led House of Assembly Service Commission.
Others are, the State Secondary Education Board which has Hon. Imoh Udobia as Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board , headed by Professor Maria Ikorok, State Technical Schools Board with Barrister Comfort Etuk in charge as Chairman, Dr Akon Eyakenyi who heads the Governing Council of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic and the Mrs Regina Ikpat led Governing Council
of the state College of Education.
In her response onbehalf of members of Boards and Commission after the parley, a former Minister of Housing, Mrs Eyakenyi, who was elected Chairman of the Forum of Members of Boards and Commissions, commended the party for the initiative which she described as timely and a welcome development.
She thanked the leader of the party in the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their total loyalty, dedication and commitment to the vision and mission of the PDP administration in the State. Mrs Eyakenyi harped that, they are aware of the weight of responsibility on their shoulders and assured that, they will not fail the state and the great expectations of the people.
The Boards and Commissions with no fewer than six (6) members each were in attendance. The Special parley which was presided over by the State Chairman of the party; Obong Paul Ekpo, also had in attendance the entire members of the State Working Committee of the party.
In an interactive session with newsmen after the parley, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Barr. Ini Ememobong dispelled insinuations that, the party was trying to politicize the Boards and Commission and that the meeting amounted to an interference. He maintained that, the PDP in its determination to fulfill her social contract with the people and to protect the divine mandate the people overwhelming entrusted to the party by electing Governor Emmanuel will not compromise in its quest to guide all those who are in charge of critical sectors of governance in the state aright and keep them focused on how to achieve the objectives of good governance and superior performance which Governor Emmanuel is know for and which the party has accomplished in the years they have governed the state.
Barr. Ememobong also dismissed reports of marginalization of youths in the composition of the Boards and Commissions, insisting that, in choosing persons to lead such sensitive organs of governance, what counts is merit, vast experience, age and wisdom, which he said, was followed to the detail by Governor Emmanuel in arriving at the excellent choices made. He noted that, the youths are in charge as Chief executive officers, Council chairmen, supoervisors, Directors etc and that, a perfect blend of raw energy and innovativeness with experience and age is what is needed to move the state forward. He sued for sustained support for the PDP and Governor Emmanuel led administration and assured that, Akwa Ibom State will have cause to rejoice at the end with a man like the Governor Emmanuel as the leader.
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