In keeping with his campaign promise of connecting the dots, especially in the area of rural development, in line with the ARISE Agenda, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has flagged off road construction projects to re-connect communities in Obot Akara, Essien Udim, and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas.
The roads flagged off include 11.71 km Abiakpo Ikot Otu-Atan Ibong-Usaka Annang Road and Nto Ndang-Nto Ekpu Road, with two bridges, each spanning 15 metres, and 16km Midim Atan-Ikot Inyang-Ikot Akpan Ekpenyong-Etok Uruk Eshiet-Ikot Imonte Road, with a 30-metre span bridge, linking some villages in Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the Essien Udim-Etim Ekpo access road at St. Paul’s Primary School, Midim, Essien Udim, Governor Umo Eno said his administration is committed to the promise made during his campaign and urged the people to exercise patience as every part of the state will benefit from his administration.
He reaffirmed his commitment to selecting and undertaking projects primarily based on impact and benefits to the general public, rather than satisfying and serving individual interests.
Governor Eno noted that he was moved by the sad stories of the community, especially the “pregnant-women-swallowing bridge,” as was told by one of the community members, and assured that such sad tales would become history within the shortest time.
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He stressed that the 16-kilometre Essien Udim-Etim Ekpo Road and the bridge projects had no political motivation but were a pointer to his administration’s sensitivity to the plight of the people, especially the women and children who had been exposed to avoidable risk by using the collapsed road and bridge.
According to him, “We didn’t come to do this project based on political reasons. It is God who directs the government on this road project, not any politician.
“We are connecting two local government areas through this project.
“We want to thank our brother, Celestine Mel, who has used his God-given talents to attract this project here.
“If you know this man, he is a critic in every sense, but I don’t have a problem with criticism; so far, it’s very constructive and will bring good to the people, not just abuse the government.
“We want to thank you for drawing our attention to this road and to the various accidents and incidents that have occurred here. We believe that, by the grace of God, all that will cease,” he said. This road, when completed, will connect the people of Essien Udim with their kiths and kin in the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
At the Abiakpo Ikot Otu-Atan Ibong-Usaka Annang Road and Nto Ndang-Nto Ekpu Road, in Obot Akara Local Government Area, the Governor, who was moved by the outpouring of love and gratitude by the people, also approved the construction of a model primary healthcare facility to replace the dilapidated Usaka Health Centre project initiated during the military era.
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The village head, Eteidung Williamson Ndarake, had made a passionate plea to the governor to intervene at the health facility, and his request was instantly granted, with people responding with a roar of gratitude.
In their remarks, the members representing Etim Ekpo/Ika and Essien Udim State Constituencies, Chief Mfon Idung, and Prince Ukpong Akpabio, respectively, as well as the transition chairmen of Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo, Dr. Anthony Luke and Mr. Ekpuk Eshiet, as well as a social critic, Mr. Celestine Mel, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the heartwarming intervention and assured of their people’s continuous support for full actualization of the ARISE Agenda.
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim, HRM Obong Cosmas Akpan, also expressed profound gratitude to the governor and prayed for God’s blessings and guidance.
At the Obot Akara event, which was attended by a cross-section of political stakeholders in the local government area, such as the former Deputy Governor, Senator Chris Ekpenyong, the Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Sir. Monday Uko, the Transition Committee Chairman of Obot Akara, Anietie Ibritam, and the village head of Usaka, Chief Williamson Ndarake, all noted that Usaka had been a hugely neglected community as its only access road was by going through the neighbouring Abia State.
While harping that it was the first time the community was blessed with such a high-profile visitor, they appreciated the governor’s intervention, saying that the rural development component of the ARISE Agenda was indeed bearing fruit.
To further convey their gratitude, the youths of Essien Udim presented the governor with a “Father of Rural Development Award.”
For the people of the three local government areas in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, the flag-off of those two critically important roads means Governor Umo Eno is truly a promise-keeper.
The two roads have been awarded to indigenous contractors; Tenth Investments is handling the Obot Akara project, while Nsik Engineering has been awarded the Essien Udim-Etim Ekpo Road project.
