WHAT APPOINTMENT OF EPHRAIM INYANGEYEN AS COS TO GOV UDOM EMMANUEL MEANS TO AKS PEOPLE
Ima Nkanta
To majority of Akwa Ibom citizens and keen watchers of the unfolding political events of the State, the appointment of Ephraim Inyangeyen as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, may have come as a surprise. Two scenarios account for this assertion.
First, the Governor who is a workaholic by nature, did not show any sign of over load of work and backlogs of itinerary that weren’t met. There were no noticeable administrative gaps that suggested the immediate work environment of the Governor’s office was lagging behind. At least we see the governor striving hard to meet crucial administrative needs of governance, in spite of the exigencies of the pandemic.
Secondly, with the success recorded so far in his ministry, especially the latest timely delivery of the infectious disease isolation centre at Uruan, the coast was clear for the Works Commissioner to ride on the waves of success in his usual energetic mien to giving Akwa Ibom State more road network and other infrastructures. Humanly, he did well.
However, the unpredictability of politics and governance does hold the ace sometimes, confounding pundits. Aside from delays in delivery of some roads like Etinan Eket road, the Eket beautification project, among few others, which may be pinned to lapses on the part of the contractors awarded these projects, Ephraim Inyangeyen has displayed exceptional sense of commitment in his assignment as the Honourable Commissioner for Works. As the vagaries of governance has thought it discreet to place some other demanding responsibilities on his shoulders, Ephraim is a prepared vessel to make it happen where he finds himself. It is hoped that an equally capable or even more capable professional would be sought to expedite actions in completing ongoing projects as scheduled and also flag off new ones and deliver before the expiration of the tenure of this administration.
But what strategic role will the appointment of Ephraim Inyangeyen play in the remaining part of this administration? With politics of 2023 beginning to take a full swing, there is a likelihood that the Governor’s office will become hyper busy and to avoid overload on the governor, the most prudent decision is to have a loyal hand help organize and administer the governor’s itinerary, as the governor might likely push harder the lever of governance to deliver on the completion agenda of the second term in office.
Imagine if the governor will play a leading role in the unfolding political equation of the nation and the state, in particular, without an effective CoS! So, the appointment is a good thing at the right time. It will help organize the work schedule and itinerary of the governor and make things move faster.
It is expected that the CoS will bring his energy and inventiveness to play in his new role. I see things working better for the citizens.Congratulations Ephraim Inyangeyen for your new role.
