Akwa Ibom State’s representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned against the practice of abandoning public projects initiated by previous administrations, saying governments have a responsibility to complete viable projects irrespective of who awarded the contracts.
The commissioner, Mr Abasiandikan Nkono, said political considerations should not override the public interest, particularly where projects have consumed public funds and remain necessary to the development of the state.
He made the submission during an interview with newsmen where he also discussed Governor Umo Eno’s administration, political reconciliation in Akwa Ibom and the prospects of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nkono cited the Uyo Tropicana entertainment and business complex as an example of why continuity should take precedence over political ownership of government projects.
“Completing an old project is not a weakness; it is an important responsibility of government, especially when the project serves the public interest,” he said.
He argued that governments should be more concerned about the usefulness of projects to the people than the political administrations that initiated them.
The NDDC representative also identified education, healthcare, infrastructure and aviation as sectors where he said the Eno administration had recorded developments, while commending the governor’s efforts to maintain cordial relationships with former leaders of the state.
On political divisions in Akwa Ibom, Nkono cautioned against allowing old grievances to continue shaping present-day political relationships, arguing that political differences should not prevent cooperation in the interest of development.
“We cannot continue fighting over grievances inherited from previous generations without asking whether those disputes serve the interests of the people today,” he said.
He maintained that increasing educational exposure and changing social realities should encourage political dialogue and reconciliation rather than perpetuate divisions.
The former APC leader in Eket consequently expressed support for Eno’s continued leadership beyond 2027, urging voters to assess the administration based on its record.
On President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, Nkono acknowledged that the removal of petrol subsidy had imposed economic hardship on Nigerians but argued that the policy should also be assessed against its implications for government revenue and public investment.
He said increased allocations to state governments following the subsidy removal had created opportunities for investments in infrastructure, education and healthcare.
He also identified the Federal Government’s student loan programme as an intervention that could widen access to tertiary education, particularly for students from financially disadvantaged families.
On electricity, the commissioner argued that changes in the power sector had created opportunities for state governments to develop independent electricity initiatives to improve supply to businesses and households.
He, however, acknowledged that some of the policies were long-term interventions whose benefits might take time to become evident, adding that government should remain accountable for their outcomes.
On the APC’s political structure in Eket, Nkono recalled his tenure as the party’s immediate past local government leader, during which he said efforts were made to reconcile aggrieved factions and strengthen the party’s internal organisation.
He said fairness and inclusivity guided the distribution of party positions and other benefits across the different political zones, irrespective of the backgrounds of beneficiaries.
“My position has always been that fairness should not depend on where a person comes from. Whether we are distributing relief materials or other benefits, every zone deserves fair consideration,” he said.
Nkono explained that following the recent political realignment, the responsibility for coordinating the party’s local government structure had passed to the current leadership, which he said was working to consolidate its organisation.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s support base in Eket and reaffirmed his support for Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Eno and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also stressed the importance of political loyalty and consistency, recalling that he had maintained his relationship with Akpabio through both favourable and difficult political periods.
According to him, political commitment should not be determined solely by immediate personal benefits or changing political circumstances.
