CDA gov't to shut down unnecessary liaison offices, governor's private jet, says Ezekiel

Nya-Etok Ezekiel is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom State for the 2023 general elections.

Ezekiel, who is also a housing expert, in this interview with AYOYINKA JEGEDE, in Uyo, promised to block all financial drains and leaks if elected governor.

What do you think should be done differently at the government level in Akwa Ibom State? First, the safety and well-being of the people, which is the main objective of the government, must be my main objective. I will see to the judicious management of the resources of the people, and will ensure that the generality of the people benefits from them. I will achieve this through my "Shut Down And Shut Out" philosophy. This will imply the closure of all waste streams and disposal of our resources. For example, Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office in Abuja and Lagos State will be closed.

Furthermore, the private jet used by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is a waste and a drain on our resources. The Governor's Lodge is an important drain and must be closed. Why can't the governor have a residence for himself and his family, where he feeds them, rather than having a big compound where millions of people's money is spent daily to feed political associates who can afford to feed?

The next is the "Shut Out" philosophy. If you agree with me, Akwa Ibom over the years does not belong to the Akwa Ibom people. It made me come up with an ideology of “Akwa Ibom-for-Akwa Ibom”. When you look at state budgets over the years we have budgeted over 8 trillion naira and yet when you look at the supposed city center you are supposed to see corporate offices which should be the result of services rendered to the State by the natives. . You won't see any of that today because the people of Akwa Ibom have become crumb eaters as all major projects are outsourced to contractors from outside the state. Akwa Ibom money should primarily and strategically benefit the Ibomites of Akwa.

Second, what I will do differently is change our governance style. It is time for the Governor of Akwa Ibom State to reside primarily and almost exclusively in Akwa Ibom State. If elected, I will reside in the state to manage the affairs of Akwa Ibom. When I have things to do out of state, I will spend as little time as possible there. It will be recorded that I am a resident of the state. When this happens, local government chairmen will not be able to leave their local government and come to live in Uyo, but will be forced to live in their various local government areas. Most job seekers are more interested in the paraphernalia of the office they seek to occupy if elected, rather than the main essence of that office. Every Governor must fully understand and subscribe to Chapter 2, Section 14, Subsection 2b of the Nigerian Constitution as their marching order. A better life for people will be my goal and my passion.

Remember, as they say, Akwa Ibom belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party. That means you can't come from a fringe party and expect to win elections just like that. What strategies do you put in place to increase your party's chances? Many people have not understood what electronic transmission of results means in the Elections Act 2022 for the 2023 general election.

Because of the Elections Act of 2022, I know votes will count in the 2023 general election. the state. I have lived my entire life investing in the lives of people in the state, ranging from students to unemployed youth, women, and the physically handicapped. These are the things that will speak for me when the campaign begins.

In addition, I have solutions to the challenges of my people, especially in rural areas. These are found in my ideology of social governance and in my introduction to the fourth level of government - which I call "neighbourhood governance".

In this, there will be a direct allocation of funds to neighborhoods and, by extension, villages each month during our four years in office. This allocation will be based on specific development models that will be organized and monitored directly from the governor's office to ensure rural development. I've done a lot of empowerment programs and in 2023 people don't vote for me, but rather for themselves. The masses will vote for me because they saw me as a man of integrity. They trust me.

I challenge other politicians to do what I did. I go to rural areas. I visited 29 of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom, during which I physically sat with people for hours, consulting and calling...