NEC Implementation Monitoring C’tte Lauds AKSG’s Intervention In Project Infrastructure

By Bassey Nkponam 
UYO 
The Akwa Ibom government has been lauded for undertaking various interventions in projects infrastructure in alignment with the federal priorities. 
The applause came from the National Economic Council (NEC) Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) and the Joint Planning Board/National Council on Development Planning (JPB/NCDP), recently, during their visit to the state for a three-day field visit to evaluate the implementation of NEC Resolutions and track the progress of the 2024 JPB/NCDP outcomes at the sub-national level.
After the tour of projects of the state, Mr Daniel Ikara, representative of the team lead for South South zone, acknowledged the tangible impacts of the ARISE Agenda across sectors and communities in the State.
Ikara described as commendable, the projects they saw in the State during the tour, and applauded the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the feat, urging him to do more. 
    He praised the synergy between the State and Federal Governments, noting that Akwa Ibom’s development blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, could serve as a case study for effective project execution and results-driven planning in the country. 
Ikara said the visit was part of a peer review mechanism to promote healthy competition, transparency, and intervention support across the federation, while also enabling them see various interventions undertaken by States in alignment with the federal priorities. 
According to him, at the end of the visit, a comprehensive report to the National Economic Council, capturing implementation progress, challenges, and recommendations to strengthen sub-national development outcomes, will be presented to the NEC chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with the 36 governors as council members.
Ikara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving States the leverage to do more than what they were doing before, with credits to the removal of fuel subsidy which, he noted, has increased FAAC allocations to various States. 
   Prior to the field tour, the team was formally received at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning by the commissioner, Dr. Nsikan Linus Nkan, who described the visit as a significant step towards promoting transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in governance.
Nkan highlighted the various key achievements of the State government, led by Pastor Umo Eno under his governance blueprint – the ARISE Agenda, citing major investments in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, aviation, education, and social welfare.
   He listed such projects as the Ibom Model Farm, the construction of over 163 roads spanning 700 kilometers, the development of the Oron Beach maritime hub, the ongoing expansion of Ibom Air and airport infrastructure at the Victor Attah International Airport, establishment of Model Primary Schools and Model Health Centres in the 31 local government areas, payment of over N78 billion in gratuities, and the provision of housing for civil servants and indigent citizens through the ARISE Compassionate Homes initiative, as well as government’s flagship tourism project, the ARISE Resort. 
Nkan applauded Governor Eno for transforming Akwa Ibom into a choice destination for business, tourism and investment, stating that the State’s inclusive development strategy is attracting both national and international attention.
The commissioner for education, Professor Ubong Umoh, in his goodwill message, described Akwa Ibom as a pacesetter in grassroots development and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to achieving measurable results in line with national development goals.
Projects visited by the team included Lutheran Model School, Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area; the Ibom Model Farms, Ikot Edibon in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area; Ibom Power Plant in Ikot Abasi; Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP), Ikot Edor in Onna Local Government, with a World Bank supported initiative aimed at improving women’s livelihood and empowerment; Ring Road 3 Extension, which is under construction and the Grace Housing Estate in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
Other projects are the reconstructed 10.4km Hospital/Ukpom Abak–Idoro–Pepsi Junction Road traversing Abak and Uyo Local Government Areas; reconstructed Ibom International Convention Centre boasting a 5,000-seat auditorium; the reconstructed 200-bed Ibom Hotels; the 10-lane Ring Road; and the Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) and International Terminal building at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA), both handled by VKS Construction Company.
The State team was headed, during the tour, by the state director of Economic Planning, Mr. Otobong Sambo, accompanied by directors and staff from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Works and Fire Service, and Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport.