Politicians Bicker Over Non-Constitution Of Boards

Politicians, especially former members of boards  in Akwa Ibom State, have become restive, following the delay by Governor Godswill Akpabio to reconstitute boards and commissions more than one year after his re-election.

The board, which should have been constituted this week, had been inexplicably postponed by the governor, making those who were hinted as possible members to resort to intense lobbying to avoid last minute substitution.

The group of former and potential board members which had constituted itself into platform called Akwa Ibom Equity Frontiers (AKEF), had however blamed the permanent secretaries and other technocrats in the state civil service, and not the governor, for the delay in the constitution of such boards and  commissions in the state.

Daily Sun learnt that the group recently met in Abuja, and rose to condemn what it described as the “overzealousness of some bureaucrats, who have suddenly amassed political powers, even when they are not political appointees, and have been lobbying to delay the constitution of new boards and agencies by the state government”.

The Chairman of AKEF, Chief Okopedi Ekungulor, after their meeting, advocated the equitable and fair distribution of appointments, as well as the prompt constitution of the boards, as a way of pacifying socio-political and interest groups who worked tirelessly for the re-election of Chief  Akpabio.

Ekungulor who was impressed with the transformation achievements of Governor Akpabio, however maintained that human development and empowerment of credible and hardworking Akwa Ibom people, who had kept faith with the Akpabio’s administration should be an integral part of the transformation. “Our amiable leader should also put smiles on the faces of his teaming supporters.

But the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, in response to the tension, told Daily Sun that there was no need for the frenzy, as the governor had concluded plans to constitute the board soon.

Board chairmen in Akwa Ibom earn between N120,000 and N150,000 a month depending on the category while ordinary members earn between N0,000 and N100,000 per month.