Gov Eno Commissions 10.4km Uyo-Ukpom Abak Road

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commissioned the 10.412km Uyo-Ukpom Abak Road as part of his administration’s unrelenting effort to link the state’s rural communities to its major urban center, Uyo.

Inaugurating the road project, Governor Eno noted that the construction of the road was in fulfillment of his campaign promise to complete uncompleted projects by his predecessors.

“This project was initiated by the administration of my political father, Governor Udom Emmanuel, and we had promised to complete it. Today, we are here in fulfilment of that promise because governance is a continuum.”

Governor Eno commended the management of Amitec Construction Company and the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, for taking up the challenge to restore the road to a desirable standard.

“We promise that we will keep connecting our rural communities to the centre, just as we keep connecting the centre of our State to the centre in Abuja.

“This road project would not have been possible without the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who made sure that funds were released to our state for the completion of projects,” he stated.

Pastor Eno reaffirmed the State’s full support to the administration of President Tinubu towards ensuring that the President will be voted back to power in 2027 for his second term.

“We will make sure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is returned to office in 2027 to continue with his good works. The same support and full votes will equally be given to our son, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his second term, and likewise to me, to continue with our development strides of building a peaceful and united Akwa Ibom for the good of our people,” he said.

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The governor announced plans by his administration to flag off the construction of youth-friendly centres in all 31 local government areas of the state, explaining that the project would galvanise young people in the hinterland and develop their skills for better productivity and profitable living.

“Each local government chairman will give us a space within their local governments so that we can build youth-friendly centres for our young people to develop, upgrade, and promote their creative skills and make the best out of their lives.

He therefore charged youths to rise to the occasion and get ready for the planned project that will be launched soon to build and empower them for meaningful living and a responsible impact on society.

The Governor appreciated Amitec Construction Company for donating six water borehole facilities for communities within the Uyo and Abak axis, where the new road spans, as part of its corporate social responsibilities.

Pastor Eno equally commended a visually impaired law graduate, Barrister Udeme Emmanuel Ekanem, who graduated recently from the Nigeria Law School through his sponsorship, for his doggedness and directed the State Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, and the Commissioner for Justice, Barr Uko Essien Udom, SAN, to ensure his immediate employment into the State Civil Service with appropriate posting and mobilisation for work.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, accompanied by his Abak counterpart, Pastor (Mrs) Ime Effiong Charles, thanked the Governor for fulfilling his campaign promise to the people.

He explained that the road project had been left in a deplorable state for a long time, leading to several protests, especially because the road served as a major diversion route during the construction of the Abak Road Flyover.

He thanked the Governor for redeeming the image of stakeholders who assured the people of the Government’s commitment to completing the project, saying that it was evidence of democracy in action, with continuity in governance.

Presenting an overview of the project, Prof. Ibanga thanked Governor Eno for deploying his finisher’s anointing to complete the project, which he inherited from the immediate past administration, by providing over 80% funding for its completion.

Analysing the project, the Commissioner said out of 10.412 kilometres, 4.4 kilometres is a total reconstruction while the rest were overlaid, and appreciated the Governor for remaining committed to his promise to the people and for his passion towards the completion of inherited projects across the State.

Speaking on behalf of Uyo Local Government Area stakeholders, the member representing the State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, said the Governor has wiped away the tears of his people, and assured of continuous support for the administration.

Speaking on behalf of stakeholders of Abak Local Government Area, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for putting smiles on the faces of the people and for making the Abak people proud through numerous life-enhancing projects executed by the government in the area.

He described the road as a great relief to Abak and Uyo people as its timely completion will revive economic activities of the area, and pledged that the people of Abak would reciprocate this kind gesture by supporting the Governor beyond 2027.

On his part, the member representing Abak Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Clement Jimbo, lauded the Governor for his foresight and vision, especially for ensuring a calm political temperature, and for completing the road project, which, he said, will greatly benefit his people and the State at large.

The event was graced by members of the State Executive Council, members of the political class, captains of industry, the clergy, traditional rulers, and the general public.