Ekere System: No Peace Without Homes

By UbongAbasi Ise

There was a time Akwa Ibom State was experiencing kidnappings and interminable bloodbaths until something happened to reverse the trend. Notably, abductions for ransoms were not a particularity of Akwa Ibom State, but a social malaise that was rampant in the Niger-Delta region around the period of 2003 to 2010.   Contrary to the incumbent state government’s self-delusionary claims of responsibility for the prevailing tranquility in the state today, it becomes necessary to bring to the fore that what actually brought peace happened before Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s government even kick-started in 2015. Apart from setting up special security apparatuses such as Operation Aduma and Quick Response Squad by Godswill Akpabio-led government in order to tackle kidnapping and other forms of criminalities, human development was systematized as one strategy that helped turn the youth from indulging in illegitimate but lucrative business of kidnappings and muggings. The crux of the insecurity of the time was that the state had too many ‘boys’ in the streets. Those boys had no home and anything of value; they were causing mayhem at the instance of the aggrieved politicians and would vanish without trace because they knew they had nothing to look back on. Peace and stability came when the then governor, Godswill Akpabio, decided to take the boys off the streets and hand them lifeline. The boys were transformed to men and were enabled to build their own homes and settled to marital life. As a result, there were a lot of parvenus who came to appreciate the beauties of life to the extent that even though they were to be paid to commit nefarious acts they would repudiate and would not condescend to the level of going back to the old habit. How could they kidnap, maim or kill and be running away from the comfort of their stately homes and the warmth of their beautiful wives just to avoid apprehension? What about their kids? They know that a cub can be held to invite the lioness. During a radio interview at Uyo-based Comfort FM on Thursday 27 December 2018, Akpabio said he could name not less than 49 boys on the ground now that he made what they are today. To this end, the foundation of peace in the state was laid during Akpabio’s tenure by way of transforming the lives of young people through giving them maximum empowerment and homes to live. The boys left the streets ceremoniously to a well settled life and not without taming the streets to ensure that they live in a peaceful and safe environment. The government of the time understood that a man that has no home, no wife and no child could be wild and free – free to be a ready tool in the hand of the devil. It was logical to note that if a young man gets his own home and family then he would be responsible.

                The point here is that there is a strong nexus between comfortable homes and societal peace. But it is too pathetic that at the age of 40, an average man in our clime is still finding it a tall dream to have a house of his own. Most of the young men in their 30s today, if they are not living with parents or squat with relatives and friends, they are certainly very gratified to live in a rented apartment that lack convenient space for the growth or procreation of family. To every man, home ownership is the foundation of a meaningful life; the earlier a man owns a house the greater his chances to a fulfilled life.

Obong Nsima Ekere, the Akwa Ibom State APC gubernatorial candidate to the forthcoming election has carefully captured housing under Infrastructural and Rural Development of his manifesto. He believes that the right to own a home is fundamental to man; the availability of affordable houses is a social contract that government must deliver to its citizens. Obong Ekere stated that his government will focus resources to ensure that those at the bottom of the income level that can part with N30,000 monthly can own a home through Housing Social Scheme. To open up the State Capital, and to increase available housing stock, he said his government will build three new affordable estates in Uyo, including a state-of-the-art Government Reserve Area, under a site and services scheme. Accordingly, he will review the State Civil Service contribution or lack thereof to the National Housing Fund in a bid to design a Mortgage facility which Akwa Ibom citizens can access to purchase their own home.

Where is other sustainable way to peace if our young citizens are not handed opportunity to a well-settled life? Our young men can’t afford to be whiling away their productive lifetime as thugs and merchants of malevolence and havoc, and we continue to expect peace. The argument that Governor Udom Emmanuel is responsible for the existing peace in the state is not premised on logical ground but on sheer sentiment. There are no strong measures set in place by the incumbent state government to enforce restraints but because of peace-loving nature of Akwa Ibomites the state, we experience calm. Comfortable and affordable housing for the youth needs to be prioritized in government policies at all times. With his lofty housing policy, if Nsima Ekere is voted into office, there is hope for a better living, and a chance for a more peaceful and safe environment.

Yes! I am UbongAbasi Ise. For comment, please send your SMS to 08189914609 | ubongabasiise@gmail.com

©The Sensor Newspaper

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