Akwa Ibom: Retreat For New Exco Members Not Waste Of Public Funds, says EARCOM
From Unyime BASSEY, Uyo
The Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM) has stated unequivocally that the Akwa Ibom State Government four-day retreat organised for the members of the newly inaugurated cabinet of Governor Umo Eno, is not a waste of public funds.
Speaking at a radio current affairs programme monitored on Passion 94.5 fm, Uyo by our correspondent on Thursday, the Head of her Media and Advocacy Unit of EARCOM, Rev. Osondu Ahirika, explained that the commission endorsed the Lagos retreat organised for commissioner's, Special Adviser's and key functionaries of the state government to enable them key into the policy thrust of building a greater Akwa Ibom state in line with the five pillars of the A.R.I.S.E Agenda of the Umo Eno administration.
According to him, the retreat more than anything else helps to foster team work and unity of purpose among the Commissioner's that will be taking decisions in the ministries, with oversight over Department's and Agencies of Government.
The EARCOM official further expressed confidence that the retreat has fully equipped the participants and prepared them to effectively implement the A.R.I.S.E Agenda and deliver on the focal points as well as sectoral programmes following a well defined governance roadmap for the actualisation of the development blueprint.
While stressing that any investment in capacity building, knowledge acquisition and manpower development is worthwhile, Rev. Ahirika, faulted those who are castigating Governor Umo Eno as frittering away public funds on the retreat which was held at Eko Hotels, Lagos, and sued for unbiased, non partisan evaluation of the gains of the retreat.
Ahirika, while observing that there is nothing to show that Governor Umo Eno is profligate in his management of the States funds, stressed that the Governor is very deliberate in leveraging on available human, structural and material resources to execute the A.R.I.S.E Agenda and expressed hope that the exco members ready to deliver within set timelines to accomplish expected results.
