Eno’s Harvest of Projects

Edidiong Udobia

One profound thing Governor Umo Eno has done excellently so far is convincing Akwa Ibom people that he is a promise keeper. Time and time again, he has proven this by fulfilling a promise he had made to people, irrespective of the occasion. During the inauguration of the 1.1km Spring Road and drainage project in Ikot Ekpene, which links the only public female school in the area, Gorretti Girls Secondary School, on Friday, October 25, the Governor announced that his administration will commission a total of 72 projects across the state in one month.

Further details on the projects showed that a total of eight road projects, 62 compassionate homes, a model primary health centre and a water reticulation project were set for commissioning by the Akwa Ibom State Government within the one-month period that Eno announced. Also, the projects were to include at least two roads in each of the three senatorial districts and two compassionate homes in each of the 31 local government areas of the state.

In fulfilling the promise, the Governor ensured that Akwa Ibom started witnessing a harvest of projects less than a week later. On Monday, October 28, it was pomp and celebration in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area (LGA) as Eno commissioned the 2.9 km Urue Offong/Oruko II-Ibotong Eweme Road. The project, executed by Bulletine Construction Company Nigeria Ltd., links three communities in the LGA, including the headquarters, Urue Offong. In his speech, the Governor said with the construction of the road, the local government headquarters has been opened up for gradual urbanisation which will ultimately engulf the entire area.

Eno, who listed the benefits of the road to include a boost to the local economy and enhancement of the social wellbeing of the people, said with his administration’s drive for food sufficiency in the state, the project will facilitate access to markets and farmlands, thus making life easier for farmers. Represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor pledged that the state government, in line with the rural development drive of the ARISE Agenda, will spare no efforts in providing incentives to farmers including access to their farms.

Promising more infrastructural projects in Urue Offong/Oruko, the state chief executive assured that his administration is anchored on fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of the dividends of democracy.

“If all the infrastructure and amenities that exist in the nearby Oron town are provided here, local government staff and teachers working in this local government area won’t need to reside in Oron town to travel down to work. This road is the first road constructed for you by the state government. It is definitely not the last. More will come. Our administration will construct more roads for you,” Eno said. “We are determined to make you feel the impact of government. There is no local government area in Akwa Ibom State that does not have two, three or more projects executed by the present administration.”

On Friday, November 1, in another historic moment, the Governor officially took delivery of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft for the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo. He assured of optimum returns on the investments of the government within and outside of the state. Emphasising that his administration will expedite actions towards ensuring that invested public funds bring desired profit into the state, Eno affirmed that the acquisition was funded in full by the state government without any loan or facility from any financial institution.

The Governor, who received the two aircraft labelled 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, urged the management of Ibom Air to prioritise the flight needs of Akwa Ibom travellers by ensuring Uyo inbound and outbound flights are not truncated. Eno lauded the impressive performance of Ibom Air in the Nigerian aviation industry and tasked the management to ensure the airline declares profit in 2025 to justify the investment of the state government. He disclosed that besides the 18-storey complex underway in Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos, his administration will soon flag off a four-star hotel on the state-owned property in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, an international market in Ikot Ekpene while the international terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport will soon commence partial operation by December, ahead of its full activation in 2025.

“As long as I remain Governor, we will continue to use the state’s money for the generality of our people. We will not put the money in a few pockets. We will rather put the money in things that will benefit all of us. We will continue to put money together to fund our critical infrastructure,” the Governor noted. “For the Ibom Towers in Lagos, we will make sure that we don’t borrow a dime, and we will finish in 24 months by the grace of God. To the Ibom Air, while we thank you for your wonderful management team, we urge you that from 2025, we must begin to receive profits from the operations of the Ibom Air. We must begin to receive profits so that our investment will be worth the while.”

On Wednesday, November 6, Eno inaugurated the 10.519 km Mkpat Enin-Ikot Ubo-Ikot Ntot-Nkikara Road in Mkpat Enin/Ikot Abasi LGAs, where he reiterated the commitment of his administration to providing good governance toward advancing development in every part of the state. Assuring the people of more developmental interventions, particularly in the rural areas, to justify the rural development focal point of his administration’s Arise Agenda, the Governor stated that the road project was initiated by his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and expressed gratitude to the people of the area for their support towards the completion of the project.

“We need to continue to develop our rural communities, not just in Mkpat Enin, but all around the state. We are thankful to God, who has given us the grace to complete the projects of the last administration. That is why it is always good to vote for continuity. If you didn’t support continuity, there is no way this project would have been completed now,” Eno said. “When you check the commissioning stone, it is stated that this project was initiated in Deacon Udom Emmanuel’s administration but completed and commissioned in Governor Umo Bassey Eno’s administration.”

On Tuesday, November 12, communities in the four LGAs of Nsit Ubium, Eket, Esit Eket and Ibesikpo Asutan were given a new lease of life with the completion and inauguration of the 9.76 km Ikot Eyo-Edem Idim Okpot-Mbiekene-Nung Obong-Ikot Ntung-East West Road.

Performing the inauguration of the road, which connects three neighbouring LGAs of Eket, Esit Eket and Ibesikpo Asutan, the Governor commended the patience and understanding of Nsit Ubium people. He assured that the support of Nsit Ubium people for his administration will ensure that their needs get particular attention even as his administration continues to spread development projects across the state.

Eno commended the project contractor, Bulletine Construction Company Nigeria Ltd., for its diligence and adherence to timelines and going the extra mile to renovate the Ikot Eyo Community School, as well as building a thtee-bedroom bungalow for the principal as part of its corporate social responsibility. The Governor assured the people that roads traversing the LGA have been captured in the 2025 budget for construction and described his emergence as Governor as the best Akwa Ibom project for Nsit Ubium.

“In next year’s budget, we have made provision for the dualisation of Nung-Udoe-Afaha Nsit Road and outfalls in Ibesikpo and Nsit Ubium. That road will have dual carriageways. We have also made provision intentionally for the development of Afaha Offiong,-Itreto in Nsit Ubium up to Nsit Ibom. We need to open up that axis too so that we can improve commerce and traffic. We will keep doing what we can to touch the lives of our people at the grassroots as we develop our state,” the Governor stated.

The following day was the turn of the people of Ogu-Itu Mbonuso in Ini LGA who were relieved from perennial lack of potable water and irrigation system, as Eno commissioned a solar-powered water scheme with reticulation network across six villages in the area. Inaugurating the water scheme on Wednesday, November 13, the Governor described it as important and a demonstration of his commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of the people.

Acknowledging Ini LGA as the rice belt and key player in the agricultural sector of the state and deserving of an all-season reliable water source, Eno explained that the water scheme was initiated in response to the yearning of the people as presented by stakeholders of the community through Dr. Elisha Attai during his campaign. While assuring the people of water supply to the Ini General Hospital, he also announced new road projects for the LGA.

On Thursday, November 14, the Governor commissioned the 4.95km Ekparakwa-Ntak Ibesit Road in Oruk Anam LGA. He noted that the road project, which connects Ekparakwa with Ibesit Clan, will add substantial value to Oruk Anam through enhanced access to the General Hospital in Ikot Okoro, as well as schools, farmlands and markets located within the area.

Represented by Deputy Governor Eyakenyi, Eno maintained that the commissioning of the Ekparakwa-Ntak Ibesit Road was an indication of his administration’s commitment to completing inherited projects and further assured on the completion of the 22.75km Ikot Ekaide -Ikot Okoro -Ibiritam Road. “As important as this Ekparakwa – Ntak Ibesit Road is, it is a tip of the iceberg compared to the soon-to-be-commissioned 22.75km Ikot Ekaide -Ikot Okoro -Ibiritam Road with two bridges which, upon completion, will significantly lessen travel time between Akwa Ibom and Rivers State.”

Interestingly, in between these project commissionings, the Governor has performed groundbreaking for two mega projects; Ibom Towers in Lagos and Aviation Village at the Victor Attah International Airport. When completed, these projects will add to the money-spinning assets of the state. Additionally, Eno has also promised that some parts of the ARISE Park, like the golf course and the children’s playground, will be ready for use by Christmas.

It is indeed a season of harvest of projects in Akwa Ibom State as the Governor continues to fulfil his promise of commissioning about 70 projects in one month.