Ephraim Inyang-Eyen Assures On Timely Delivery Of Road Projects, Maintenance Of Existing Ones

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen, has disclosed that the main focus of his ministry in the 2020 fiscal year would be on the completion of ongoing projects as well as maintenance of the existing infrastructure across the 31 local government areas.

Inyang-Eyen made this known Monday, when he appeared before House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at the Conference Room, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Uyo, to defend the 2020 Capital Estimates for the Ministry of Works.

Flanked by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr John Itiat and Directors in the Ministry, the Works boss took ample time to chronicle all completed and ongoing projects supervised by his Ministry during the 2019 fiscal year, saying that feedbacks from the people were that the Ministry fared well.

Inyang-Eyen who hinted that there has been a massive advancement in the mode of operation in the Ministry since the inception of the current administration, however, assured that, if the Ministry’s estimates for year 2020 are approved, a good number of on-going projects across the state would be completed.

He, however, listed perennial rainfall and human factors among the challenges his Ministry faced in 2019, saying the scorecard would have been more admirable. “Earthwork and asphalting cannot be done during the rain. If I supervise such job, it means I’m not sincere with the assignment His Excellency the governor assigned to me and I’ve also cheated inhabitants and users of such roads”, Inyang-Eyen explained.

The Commissioner solicited the support of the house committee for special funding for the ministry to intervene on major projects that will enhance economic development in the state, noting that by May next year, the state government will embark on massive inauguration of completed projects in the State.

Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, in a remark, commended the ministry for optimal performance.

Flanked by his members, including the Committee’s Vice Chairman, who represents Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency; Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey; member Etinan; Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis; Member for Ini,Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong Bassey; Member for Nsit Atai, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset; member for Mkpat Enin, Hon. Victor Ekwere; that of Ibiono Ibom, Hon. Godwin Ekpo and member for Nsit Ubium, Hon Otobong Bob among others, the Committee pledged the readiness of the House to provide necessary support for the Works ministry to deliver on its mandate.

The Committee used the occasion to urge the Executive Arm to focus more on the completion of ongoing projects before embarking on new ones to meet with the governor’s completion agenda. The Commissioner’s team had: the Permanent Secretary; Engr John Itiat; Director, Accounting, Mr. Edet Ayara and Director, Administration, Mrs. Idongesit Usen.

Others were; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Christopher Okon;  Director, Civil, Engr Akaninyene Henry; Director, Geotechnical, Mr. Nseobong Edem; Director, Electrical, Engr Ime Udofia; Director, Mechanical and other senior staffers of the Ministry of Works.