The emergence of Honourable Uko Umoh as Transition Committee chairman has remained a surprise to many in the state especially those of Iman Ibom extraction.
No wonder the Transition Chairman while addressing a cross section of media professionals of Iman Ibom extraction described himself as a miracle chairman.
Yes, he is right to describe himself as such considering the fact that he may have been the least among those expected to sit on that chair.
However, he has performed miracles in the last six months as chairman of council. Having emerged miraculously, he has spread the miracle across all sectors of the local government economy.
In keeping faith with the full implementation of ARISE Agenda in the local government area, Hon Uko Umoh miraculously brought back the Council’s ailing grading machine to the council and has so far graded over 70km of rural roads across the 12 political wards in the area.
The chairman also brought back fond memories of yester years where local government had work officers who clear the major ways from time to time. In his time, Honourable Uko Umoh through the office of the supervisor of works engaged youths of Etinan in the clearing of road sides and evacuation of gutters from Ekom Iman all the way to Mbioto and the Afaha Nsit bridge. In doing this he empowers the youth on one hand and create a clear view of the highways on the other hand.
As a chairman who believes in team work, he set up a committee to go round the 64 villages in the local government area to take stock of government facilities such as mini water projects, electricity installations, market stalls, Civic centres that were either vandalised or uncompleted.
The committee’s report has brought intervention in the area of electricity restoration in some communities including Iman street, Ikot Akpabio, etc.
The first ever three day medical and surgical outreach in Etinan has remained a talk of the town with various heart rendering testimonies from beneficiaries.
The renovated council canteen served as emergency theatre during the free medical outreach.
The miracle chairman has also reached out to people living with disabilities in a get together that witnessed donation of tricycle, clutches and business grant to members of the disabled community.
In line with the ARISE Agenda in the agricultural sector, the council has cultivated over six hectares of land both within the council Secretariat and Ikot Akpabio community. The local government council also distributed improved seedlings to farmers to boost food production.
At the moment, the local government Secretariat has its water supply from a borehole drilled by the transition committee. The council has also been reconnected to the national grid after 13 years of embarrassing blackout.
In the just concluded 2024 UTME examination, over 150 candidates from various secondary schools in Etinan were assisted to acquire the forms while logistics were put in place at the Council’s ICT centre for the computer based examination to be taken.
Not surprising therefore that the local government Transition Committee was given a pat on the back by the visiting House of Assembly’s Committee on local government and chieftaincy affairs.
According to the chairman of the Assembly’s committee, Rt Hon Mfon Idung it would have been a thing of surprise to the lawmakers if Honourable Uko Umoh did not perform creditably as a renowned newspaper publisher in the state.
His sterling performance in just six month has brought hope to the people of the area. It has raised the expectations of the people that when given an executive mandate of three years his achievements will be unprecedented in the history of the local government area.
Last Saturday, June 1st, 2024, youths from the local government took this expectation and hope to the next level by coming out in their number for a solidarity walk.
Led by George Ukwang, the youth expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr Uko Umoh.
The walk by the youth brings the issue of good governance to the forefront of discussion. Unlike in the past where youths were directed on whom to support, the selfless service rendered by Honourable Uko Umoh and his team has prompted the youths to take up the initiative of showing solidarity to a performing chairman.
Therefore, the visit of Comrade Ini Ememobong led executive committee
on verification of projects executed by the Transition Committee arrives Etinan Local Government Area is a confirmation that the local government system in Nigeria can work efficiently and effectively when the right people are put at the helm of affairs.
Etinan has become a shinning example of a local government system that works just as Honourable Uko Umoh has become the consensus option of the people.
