The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has said his administration will flag off 31 projects before May 2025.
The Governor made this known at the foundation laying ceremony of the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre, located in Itak, Ikono Local Government Area.
Some of the projects, he said, will include the Command and Control Center, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation House, General Hospital Ibiono Ibom, Uyo Convention Center, International Market, Ikot Ekpene, ARISE Renal Medical/Dialysis Centre, Ibom Hotel, Abuja, and the Medical Village.
He said the Senior Citizens Centre is one of the facilities that would be located along the medical corridor between the Ibom Specialist Hospital and Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, adding that the event was not only the foundation laying ceremony for the Centre but the commencement of the fencing of the entire site of facilities that will be along the corridor and the construction of complimentary access roads.
Governor Eno said the Senior Citizens Centre is the brainchild of his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who was very concerned about the elderly and desired to have a place where they could access some personalized services.
He noted that Pastor Patience had worked with Dr. Itawan James to develop a design for the Senior Citizens Center and, therefore, appointed Dr. Itawan as the Delivery Advisor for the project to ensure due compliance.
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He said the government was working towards making the Specialist Hospital a stand-alone hospital and a quaternary hospital to truly reflect the yearnings and aspirations of its visioners.
The Governor said with the medical corridor comprising the Specialist Hospital, Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, the Medical Village, and Ibom Air, as well as the peace and serenity in the State, Akwa Ibom State will further advance its status as a tourist destination of choice.
He said the government under his leadership is determined to sustain inclusivity by maintaining the peaceful working relationship he has with President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and others across party lines, and urged political jobbers to desist from their mischief, as the Akwa Ibom project was greater than any party affiliation.
Governor Eno appreciated the people of Ikono and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas for collaborating with and supporting his administration, and especially for the expanse of land made available for the medical corridor, which, according to him, will help in advancing the successful stories of his campaign promises, and the ARISE Agenda.
In his remarks, the member representing Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong Udo appreciated the Governor for his impactful development footprints in Ikono and Ibiono Ibom, adding that despite the nature of the 2023 Governorship election, the Governor has remained magnanimous in victory.
Hon. Ukpong Udo, though not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, assured everyone that given the Governor’s inclusive leadership and impactful strides, the people of his constituency will massively support Governor Eno in the 2027 general election.
On his part, the member representing Ikono State Constituency, Hon. Asuquo Nana, appreciated the Governor for the different projects located in Ikono and assured that Ikono will continue to support the Umo Eno-led administration and reciprocate the gesture in 2027.
In their separate remarks the Chairman of Ikono and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas, Hon. Oto-Obong Essien and Hon. Asuakak Umoh appreciated the Governor for the different projects located in the two local government areas including the ring road, Grace Estate, Use Ikot Amama Road, and the Senior Citizens Center, and assured him of their continuous support.
Also speaking, Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, and Barr Emmanuel Archibong of the Akwa Ibom Elders Citizens Assembly, as well as the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono, HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang appreciated the Governor for keeping to his campaign promises, especially for the payment of the backlog of gratuities and for implementing worthwhile pro-life initiatives for the elderly.
Giving an overview of the project, and a note of commitment, the newly appointed Delivery Advisor for the project, Dr. James and Ukeme Eyo of U&K Limited respectively, said the facility was not just a structure but an architectural masterpiece with befitting medical, and recreational, and other facilities that will not only delight the senior citizens but will enable them age gracefully.
