UYO – Governor Umo Eno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and timely project delivery, disclosing that Akwa Ibom State has saved more than ₦200 billion through its in-house quantity surveying mechanism, with the funds redirected to critical development projects across the state.
The Governor made the disclosure on Tuesday while presiding over the July edition of the State Projects Delivery Meeting at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, where he provided stakeholders and the public with updates on ongoing projects and key achievements of his administration.
Welcoming participants, Governor Eno said the meeting was designed to give citizens firsthand information on how government resources are being utilized, stressing that his administration remains committed to due process, prudent financial management and open governance.
He cautioned against the spread of misinformation about government projects, noting that the media, civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders were invited to independently verify project implementation and receive accurate information directly from government.
Highlighting achievements across key sectors, the Governor pointed to the unveiling of the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, the commencement of twice-weekly Ibom Air flights to Accra, Ghana, the expected delivery of a new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, ongoing aviation infrastructure upgrades, rehabilitation of the Oron Maritime infrastructure and efforts to actualise the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
A comprehensive briefing on road infrastructure revealed that the administration is currently executing 1,305 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges across the state.
The meeting was informed that total payments on road projects, including inherited projects, had reached ₦743.315 billion as of May 29, 2023, reflecting sustained government investment in critical infrastructure.
Governor Eno also announced that Akwa Ibom had secured a six-million-dollar reward under the World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme for excellence in transparency, budget management and good governance.
He added that the state received an additional three million dollars under the Nigeria for Women Project to support rural women and strengthen economic empowerment initiatives.
The Governor further highlighted the ARISE Compassionate Homes programme and ongoing reforms aimed at enabling the state to take full ownership of its electricity market.
A major highlight of the meeting was a presentation by the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Ms. Arit Uya, who unveiled the roadmap for establishing a functional state electricity market.
Governor Eno reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure stable and reliable electricity supply across the state within the next 18 months through reforms, institutional overhaul and private-sector participation.
The meeting also reviewed progress on projects earmarked for presidential commissioning later in the year, including major road projects, the ARISE Palm Resort, Ibom International Hospital, the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, the Aviation Village, the Command and Control Centre and the Governor’s Office Annex.
Updates were received on the Oron Maritime Project, Ibom International Convention Centre, Ibom Hotels, Ewet Luxury Estate, Youth Development Centres across the 31 local government areas, model schools, primary healthcare centres, the Itam Industrial Park, Court of Appeal Complex and other strategic projects.
AKICORP also presented reports on its headquarters project, Ibom Hotels and Apartments in Abuja and Ibom Towers in Lagos.
Expressing concern over the recurring theft of corrugated iron perimeter fencing around aviation project sites, Governor Eno directed security and local government officials to collaborate with village heads and youth leaders to protect public infrastructure.
He warned that village heads within airport communities who fail to address the theft could lose their certificates of recognition.
