By ETIM ETIM
I watched the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency Town Square meeting on TV yesterday and was surprised to hear Gov. Umo Eno announce that some of his political appointees have refused to execute any impactful empowerment programmes in their respective villages and communities despite his many entreaties to them. ‘’The refusal of my appointees to do something meaningful in their communities is a big disappointment.
As you know, the governor cannot do everything; it is therefore important for political appointees to help out in their villages and communities’’, the governor said in a serious and solemn tone. It all started when the governor introduced one of his PAs from the federal constituency, Mr. Blessed Lawrence Essien, who had built a water borehole with overhead tanks and reticulated the water to three villages. Eno praised Essien for his support and love for his community, and immediately promoted him to SA.
Speaking further, Gov. Eno revealed that a PA earns one million Naira per month, but yet the PAs are in the habit of talking down on the jobs and denigrating their pay as ‘’ just stipends’’. The governor also recalled that another PA from Eket federal constituency has built a similar project for his community and wondered why other appointees were reluctant to execute any project in their communities. Gov. Eno was visibly dismayed as he expressed his disappointment in the attitude of some of his political appointees.
I have reflected on this since yesterday and I will like to make a few comments and suggestions. First, some appointees’ refusal to implement a single project in their communities despite the governor’s appeals is akin to disobedience and intransigence. It also smacks of disloyalty. I am surprised. How could a governor’s repeated appeals be so blatantly turned down by his employees? Second, their refusal also smacks of selfishness and lack of appreciation of the many sides of their job. An appointee is the governor’s representative in the appointee’s village or community. As a senior public official, a political appointee must conduct his or her personal and official life in ways that reflect the true character of the governor and the government.
In business schools which I attended, I was taught that an employee’s personal goals must be congruent with the goals of the organization he works for. Similarly, a political appointee should strive at all times to promote the ideals of the administration and align his personal actions with the goals of the ARISE Agenda. If this governor, as we all know, is so emphatic about empowering rural people and enhancing the living conditions in our communities and villages, I am disappointed that some of his appointees have not internalized this.
Benefits
There are many benefits that such individual efforts of the appointees will provide. They will not only provide succor to the villagers; improve living standards, but would also enhance the standing of the government in the rural communities. In addition, the appointee would also be better appreciated as an important member of the communities.
My Suggestions
If a PA who earns one million Naira per month (this is a fabulous pay) could build a water scheme in his village, and reticulate the water to three other villages, I would imagine that an SA; SSA; Special Adviser and Commissioner can do far more. This governor has over 400 political appointees (there is a PA for each ward) and if all of them could provide one amenity every year in their LGAs, the impact over the next five or six years would be enormous. I therefore respectfully suggest that the governor should make the provision of amenities by his appointees mandatory and part of their KPIs effective 2026. But preparations should begin right away.
Every year, a commissioner should execute a project worth N6 million or above in his village; Special Adviser N5 million or above; SSA (N4 million or above); SA (N3 million or above) and PA (N2 million or above). This should begin in January 2026 and a new project should be executed in a different village every year. Each appointee should give updates every quarter to the Governor’s Delivery Adviser.
What projects?
To guide in the selection of the projects to implement, I will refer the appointees to the 17 sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations which were carefully designed and selected to be a ‘’blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all’’ by 2030. Some of them are poverty eradication; hunger reduction; good health; quality education; clean water and sanitation. There are many programmes and amenities for the appointees to provide in these areas, and I will leave it to them to make their choices based on the peculiar needs of their people.
Penalties
There should be penalties, including quitting the job, for any appointee who is reluctant to participate.
