Over 1000 signatures have been collected in an online petition against the construction of an 18-floor tower in Lagos by the government of Akwa Ibom. The petitioners are targeting 1,500 signatures.
A report by West Africa Weekly last week highlighted the depravity of the current and past governors of the oil-rich state. The incumbent Governor, Umo Eno, has embarked on extravagant spending on grandiose projects despite the high inflation and food security crisis in the state and across the country.
One such show of extravagance is the governor’s plan to build an 18-storey tower in Lagos. However, the governor argued that it is utilising the Akwa Ibom Governor’s lodge in Lagos for the tower.
A lawyer and human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, an indigene of the state, is one of the critics championing the petition. In a post on X, he accused the state government of wasteful spending and called its attention to the “pressing issues” such as poverty, unemployment and inadequate water supply.
He called on indigenes and residents of the state, as well as netizens, to sign the petition. He wrote: “Please join me in signing this petition to halt the plan by the Government of Akwa Ibom State to use billions of our state’s resources to build an 18-storey tower in Lagos, despite prevailing poverty. We already have too many white elephant projects.”
Government Defends Construction of Tower in Lagos
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State government has justified its decision to construct a tower in Lagos. The government argued that it is an investment that would generate money for the state. It added that indigenes of the state would be employed after it is completed.
“We are not taking Akwa Ibom money anywhere. It is Akwa Ibom people that will work there. We have Akwa Ibom citizens in Lagos and Abuja. We are converting those buildings into commercial buildings. All will be sold. We will recover our money,” Ekerete Udo, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Eno, quoted the governor on X.
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