…promises to make state Nigeria’s vacation destination
Security, the world over, has been described as a shared responsibility between governments, corporations, individuals, and agencies.
With the launch of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, the private sector will be further encouraged to join in maintaining the State’s status as a safe, secure, peaceful, inviting, and serene place to live and thrive.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, stated this at the official launch of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund (AKSTF) at the Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo.
He said his administration has devoted resources to sustaining peace in the State and appreciated the security agencies for their support and cooperation in maintaining security.
With the huge outflow of Nigerian tourists, he said Akwa Ibom is being transformed into the best vacation destination in Nigeria.
For Governor Eno, security is the first order or primary responsibility of government; but drawing a cue from the social contract principle of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, he spoke eloquently about shared responsibility on the part of government and the governed.
Governor Eno said his administration is “launching the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund — a public/private partnership vehicle to put all hands on deck to ensure we continue to live in a safe and secure environment so the people may pursue their legitimate undertakings.”
Governor Eno, who acknowledged the status of the State as one of the safest in the country, paid glowing tribute to its “past leaders for their single-minded devotion to this important ideal, of which we are now dedicating ourselves to expanding and deepening.”
He recounted that “we have devoted resources to ensuring that we maintain our status as a safe, secure, and peaceful state.”
This, he said, led him to create the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways and the Ibom Community Watch — a grassroots initiative aimed at intelligence gathering and sharing with institutional security agencies.
He expressed the “gratitude of the Government and the people of Akwa Ibom State to the various security agencies for the robust collaboration and cooperation we have received from them.
“That we are celebrated for being one of the safest states in the nation is because of the patriotic and passionate work they have done in partnering with government to ensure that criminals don’t have a safe haven here in our dear state.”
He expressed the hope that the request of the State for an Army formation along the maritime corridor in Oron, which was recently made to the Chief of Army Staff, will be granted.
While thanking the former Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba (Rtd.), CFR, for accepting to chair the occasion and for his glowing tributes, he also appreciated the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who, despite being out of the country on official assignment, sent a message of goodwill.
The Chairman of the occasion, Usman Alkali, a former Inspector General of Police, eulogized the Governor for his humility and passion in tackling security concerns in the State.
Alkali, who coined the concept of “Umo-Enoism” from the Governor’s name, said Pastor Eno was a gift of good governance to the people.
He said the model of security management in Akwa Ibom gives citizens a responsibility to contribute to the security of the State, even though government has the primary duty of maintaining law and order.
He, however, called for transparency and efficiency in the management of the funds realized and expressed confidence in the quality of members on the board of the Trust Fund.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien (Rtd.), said Akwa Ibom State has the longest Nigerian coastline of 129km, which is 13 percent of the country’s coastline, and is also bordered by Imo and Cross River States, making it susceptible to the activities of sea criminals.
Gen. Essien said the intention of government is to ensure a reorganization of the response team in the State.
He said the Fund will enable the acquisition of the latest technology in security and listed pickup trucks, squad cars, communication gadgets, surveillance devices, more rigid gunboats, specialized trainings, and the Safe City initiative as major requirements earmarked for security operations in the State.
Speaking also, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, through the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, described the event as a proactive and visionary step to strengthen the security architecture.
He described the Fund as an opportunity for every citizen to play a role in security management and pledged the support of the Police in ensuring that the State retains its status as one of the most peaceful in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Trust Fund, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, said the need to use a public/private partnership approach in solving security challenges in the State necessitated the launch of the Trust Fund.
Since insecurity in one locality has adverse effects on others, Paul Usoro maintained that the Governor is making efforts to ensure that the security already enjoyed in the State is sustained.
He added that the Trust Fund will support government’s investment in security, since security is an expensive business, and assured that a proper private business management approach will be adopted in managing the fund.
The event, which had as its theme “Partnership for a Safer Akwa Ibom”, was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi; Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly; Senators Udoma Udoma, Ekong Sampson, and Aniekan Bassey; as well as captains of industry and major players in Corporate Nigeria.
