A former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Victor Attah in Akwa Ibom state Dr Udeme Nanna has suggested that the government of state should set aside a day in November of every year to mark as a holiday to honour the former governor for his dogged fight to improve the allocation through his struggle for resource control when he was governor.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday to mark the 85th birthday anniversary of Victor Attah, Nanna recalled that the fight for resource control embarked on by his former boss resulted in an increment of the state allocation through the 13 per cent derivation approved by the federal government to oil-bearing communities.
Nanna; now the chairman of Uyo Book Club and lecturer at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua observed that the former governor Victor Attah has not been appreciated by successive governments and people of the state for the good job he did while serving as the governor many years ago.
He said Attah for resource control which earned oil-bearing states 13 per cent derivation funds from oil now paid to the affected states by the Federal Account and Allocation Committee( FAAC) to all beneficiaries.
Nanna maintained that one of the best ways for Akwa Ibom state to thank Victor Attah is to declare an annual holiday for one day every year in November to mark the former governor’s birthday.
” Attah struggled to bring more revenues to the state. In fighting for that right for the abrogation of onshore/offshore oil dichotomy he faced many obstacles.
Read Also: CSO insists on report over controversial loan, budget by A’ Ibom govt
” We suffered near crashes. On two occasions the plane we boarded to lobby other governors crash-landed. One at Eket Airstrip while the other one occurred while we were coming back from Kano because Attah had to interface with other governors to support him in the fight for resource control.
” He built fences. We went to Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto etc. In Nigeria politics, before. you get something, you network so that when you meet to discuss, you have support.
” Obong Attah had to seek the support of other governors . But finally, the matter was put to rest at the National Assembly”.
He said Attah deserves appreciation on his 85th birthday from politicians and the people of the state for fighting to achieve what they are benefitting today.
” When Obong Victor Attah was the governor the state monthly allocation did exceed not N600m but today it has improved. But now one person pocketed N600m in Akwa Ibom state.
“Akwa Ibom people should develop a culture of acknowledging the contribution of certain people,” he said.
Follow The Trumpet on all our social media platforms for more updates:
