October 21, (THEWILL) – The present administration in Akwa Ibom State says it has spent the sum of N208.16 billion cumulatively, for both the initiated and inherited projects between May, 29, 2023 and October 18th 2024.
The breakdown of the sum shows that: N47.93 billion has been injected into thirty-Six (36) of the inherited FGPC projects from the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel and N4.04 billion into Fifty-One (51) of the Emergency intervention Projects inherited from the administration even as a total of 51.96 billion has been spent in this category.
The State Government has also initiated/flagged off Sixty-One (61) Arise Agenda Projects. Some of such projects have been completed, like: Akpan Andem Market, Amphitheatre Christmas Village Arena, Atiku Abubakar underground tunnel and Goretti secondary school road
The State commissioner of Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, who disclosed these during a press conference at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo said some of those projects have already been completed and commissioned while others are at various stages of completion.
“N151.66 billion has been released by this administration to finance Fifty (50) of the FGPC ARISE Agenda Projects while N4.54 billion Naira has been spent on the Eleven (11) Emergency Intervention ARISE Agenda Projects. In all, a total of N156.20 billion has been spent on the ARISE Agenda Projects.
“In keeping with this administration’s now entrenched practice of constantly engaging and providing precise, useful and strategic information to Akwa Ibom people on the progress, successes and goals of investments by the Akwa Ibom State Government under the visionary stewardship of His Excellency, Pastor (Dr.) Umo Eno, we here today to inform our citizens, through you, key developments and projections of this administration in the area of infrastructure expansion and consolidation.
“Beginning from May 29, 2023 when the ship of the present administration captained by His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno set sail, an impressive mileage has been covered, in this voyage to expand the frontiers of infrastructure and consolidate on existing ones.
Giving update on major ongoing/recently awarded road Construction projects , the commissioner said, the greater part of the work needed for the swift completion of the Tabernacle road has been the excavation which from professional advice from certified civil Engineers should go at least 11 metres deep.
“This of course is a very deep excavation work which unfortunately was slowed down by perennial rainfall and the absence of the usual August break which we have experienced in Akwa Ibom State this year.
“The reality remains that if the contractors had ignored the rains and continued with the excavatuon, there is a tendency of accidents or poor project delivery.
“However, we understand the challenges faced by commuters in seeking for alternative routes as a result of this construction”, he explained.
He frowned at the unfortunate situation, where Government directive against Heavy Duty trucks plying internal roads has not been headed by drivers who joins other lighter vehicles to use intra-city roads thereby exerting incalculably harmful pressure on these roads.
“It is cogent to explain that these intra-city routes were not meant for constant use by these heavy duty trucks. Intra-city Roads like Ikpa Road and Uyo Village road have been badly affected.
“However, this administration, being a responsive one, has immediately swung into action with the immediate award of contract for the construction of Uyo village Road and Ikpa Road stretching up to Udoette Street”.
Professor Ibanga also gave update on roads to be inaugurated by Governor Umo Eno in the nearest future, said some strategic road projects will officially be inaugurated in furtherance of the Governor’s pledge to expand and consolidate on existing road infrastructure in the State.
“The 6.97km Ukpana – Akpabom – Ikwe road with 30m span bridge in ONNA and Mkpat Enin LGA
“The 2.45km internal roads at Block G, Anua Ifa Ikot Okpon Housing Estate, Uyo.
“3.6km Ikot Obio Offong-Nung Ukana (Spur I to Ikot Obio Odongo) – Abaukpo – (Spur II to Afaha Ikot Owop) – Obetok – Obongntong – Enen Nsit – Afaha Udoeyop – Afaha Offong Road in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
“10.519km Mkpat Enin-Ikot Ubo-Ikot Ntot-Nkikara Road in Mkpat Enin/Ikot Abasi LGA
“9.76km Anciliary Roads with 60m Bridge in Nsit Ubium LGA with additional Road measuring 2.3km
“4.95km Ekparakwa – Ntak Ibesit Road in Oruk Anam LGA.
“2.9km Secretariat Okuko II – Events Road with Spur in Urue-Offiong/Oruko LGA
“22.75km Ikot Ekaide – Ikot Okoro – Ibritam Road with two bridges in Oruk Anam LGA
We continue to plead with citizens of the State to complement Government investments in infrastructural expansion by not erecting structures on waterways, drainages and right of ways.
We also appeal with Akwa Ibom people to desist from constituting themselves into emergency road construction experts through initiating additional designs like speed breakers on the roads, as these can cause early damage to the road infrastructure. The right thing to do is to approach the Ministry of Works with such requests.
Let reiterate the firm and sincere commitment by the administration of Pastor Umo Eno to complete the road infrastructure projects he inherited by previous administrations in Akwa Ibom State as well as completing the ones initiated by his administration.
