Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
By Anietie Akpan
The Akwa Ibom State Government has described as misleading and mischievous the recent publication on a section of the media bothering on potholes and other public utilities in the State Capital.
A release by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the reports fail to reflect the facts earlier provided by government on actions being taken and is clearly tailored to fit a pre-determined narrative rather than the truth.
“Issues bothering on potholes in Uyo metropolis, road maintenance interventions and existing recreational facilities, such as the Uyo plaza had since been highlighted and documented and the process for tackling them has commenced.
“This process strategically scheduled for the end of the rainy season, in line with best engineering practices, is clearly seen in the ongoing revamping of the Ibom Plaza with installation of solar powered lights , water fountains at roundabouts by the Uyo Capital City Development Authority the Ministry of Works as well as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
“These clarifications were ignored, misrepresented, and selectively quoted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Umo Eno’s administration has, in just two years, delivered unprecedented development strides across sectors, including the construction of over 974 kilometres of roads with 31 bridges across the 31 local government areas, opening rural communities, boosting commerce, and improving mobility.”
The Commissioner frowned at a situation where journalists tend to ignore the positive and major on the minors just to create sensationalism in the policy.
“Last year a similar string of reports were published across news platforms,even when the government was swiftly responding to the issue. When the potholes all disappeared, no news media carried the report.
“Akwa Ibom remains one of Nigeria’s most stable, development-focused, and investor-friendly states. The Government urges media practitioners to uphold accuracy, fairness, and integrity, and reassures citizens that it will remain unshaken in delivering the ARISE Agenda and improving the quality of life for all.”
