Book launch:

...Obong Attah slams Governor Emmanuel on fake industrialization

Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Elder Statesman, Obong Victoria Attah has taken a swipe at Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmuanuel for phantom industrialisation programme, describing it as a “mystery.”

Obong Attah made this assertion during his 80th birthday and launch of his book, “It is well with my soul,” at the Shehu Yar”Adua Centre in Abuja.

According to Obong Attah who frowned at imaginary industries which Governor Emmanuel has claimed as his achievement said  in thr book, after almost four years in the saddle as Govenor, Mr Emmanuel cannot point to “any major project attributed to him.”

According to Obong Attah, “Governor Emmanuel’s period remains a mystery! …. At the moment, it is almost impossible to find any major project attributed to him.

“In one article published by his Commissioner for Information readers were told that the Government had established, among other things, a rice mill, a fertilizer blending plant and a pencil and toothpick factory. Obviously a fact finding tour could not fail to visit Ini, Abak and Itu LGs where the plants are supposed to be situated. None of these plants lived up to expectation.

“Apparently publishing falsehood about achievements has now become the primary function of Government in Akwa Ibom. Has honour fled from the State?” Obong Attah asked rhetorically.

Editor of the book, Dr Dele Sobowale had earlier slammed Governor Emmanuel for lying to Akwa Ibom people about a non-existent rice mill in Ini LGA. In a widely circulated article, the media consultant to Obong Attah recalled how he had gone to Uyo market to get the rice but found none and later took a tour to the supposed mill and also found no rice mill.

According to Dr Sobowale, “So on Tuesday, July !7, 2018, I went to Ini in search of rice. As it turned out, it is only about twenty minutes drive from Ikot Ekpene and you pass through Ikono LG before turning right on the Arochukwu road to reach Ini. There I saw an uncompleted unit….. I saw a few people working there and asked to buy rice, it is obvious there is no mill there,” the veteran Journalist said.

Ananlysts believe that in the absence of any project to show after almost four years, the administration of Governor Emmanuel has laid claim to phantom industries which even indigenes of the host communities of such projects have often expressed surprise when told that there is such industry in their community.