Construction Work Begins At State Judiciary Village Project

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
In fulfilment of his campaign promise to provide Judiciary officers in Akwa Ibom with official quarters and convenient accommodation to enhance effective service delivery, the State governor has flagged off the construction of the State Judiciary Village located along Idongesit Nkanga Avenue also known as Ring Road III, Ifa Ikot Okpon, in Uyo Local Government Area. 
Pastor Umo Eno flagged off the project, weekend, describing it as a product of his administration’s inclusive governance.
Eno said the project speaks to his administration’s faith in inclusive governance, as the Judiciary plays a critical role in advancing the development of the people and the State.
He noted the seamless and robust relationship between his administration and the Judiciary which he acknowledged has enabled both parties to serve the people better, recalling that for two years, there had been robust collaborations with the Judiciary in his administration’s determined efforts to provide dividends of democracy for the people in line with the governance blueprint, ARISE Agenda.
According to him, though the time-tested principles of separation of powers is respected, the executive and the Judiciary are on the same page in the issue of growth and shared prosperity of the State, deepening of the peace, unity, and promotion of inclusive governance. 
The governor explained that the Judiciary complex was his administration’s special way of ensuring that the State judicial officers live in an environment that is safe and secure to help them execute their prescribed constitutional roles of interpreting the law and also live in an ordered and law-abiding society without fear.
Eno said though they did not request for the project, government saw the need to build the estate, alongside the residences for the 31 local government council chairmen, the first of which was recently inaugurated in Eket, with work billed to commence in the remaining 30 local government areas.
He said his government believes that for local government chairmen to function effectively, and be responsive to the needs of their people, they must live with them. 
In furtherance of his good governance drive, Eno announced plans to flag off the legislative quarters and another one for State Executive Council members, saying the gesture is to underscore the priority given to the welfare of all the partners in the Akwa Ibom Project.
The governor appreciated the people of Ifa Ikot Okpon for securing the land for the government, and implored the judicial officers to ensure that non judiciary officers are not allowed to have accommodation in the estate, as the buildings are specifically meant for them and not for other individuals. 
The chairman, Uyo Local Government Council, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, thanked Governor Eno for his understanding of the role of the Judiciary in safeguarding the nation’s democracy and for considering them in the list of beneficiaries of his good governance.
Udo appreciated him for his vision to provide a befitting residence to enhance efficiency and productivity in their jobs, noting that the gesture will impact positively on the welfare and productivity of Judges in the State. 
The State Chief Judge, Justice Ekaete Obot, thanked Eno for his vision for the Judiciary and the Judges in her time, describing him as a promise keeper and father to every Akwa Ibom person, irrespective of tongue, tribe, party affiliation, religious or social status, while also congratulating him on his second anniversary in office. 
Obot thanked the host community, Ifa Ikot Okpon, for willingly and sacrificially providing land for the project to help actualise Governor Eno’s vision for the State.