Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced that his administration has undertaken, commissioned, or continued work on over 1,500 kilometers of roads and 43 bridges since assuming office in May 2023. The governor disclosed this during his state broadcast to mark the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State. He highlighted infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, and social intervention as major areas of his administration's three-year performance.
Governor Eno stated that the road projects were designed to connect rural communities with urban centers and open up opportunities for farmers, businesses, students, and residents. The administration's infrastructure drive is part of its commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in the distribution of government projects. As part of the 39th anniversary celebrations, the governor is commissioning projects across the state, including roads, schools, and healthcare facilities.
In the education sector, Governor Eno said the state has continued to sustain free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels. The administration has disbursed ₦1.69 billion as bursaries to students and recruited 3,000 teachers, with further recruitment approved. Work is ongoing to transform the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit, into a University of Education. The governor also announced a scholarship commitment to Uwakmfon Unwana Jacob, a brilliant student who will receive a ₦30 million scholarship to study Software Engineering at Nile University, Abuja.
Governor Eno also announced that two outstanding Akwa Ibom students will receive ₦190 million in scholarships. Uwakmfon Unwana Jacob will receive ₦30 million to study Software Engineering at Nile University, Abuja, while Dr. Joseph Akpan, the Best Graduating Student in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Uyo, will receive ₦160 million for his master's degree program in Surgical and Interventional Science at McGill University, Canada.
In the health sector, Governor Eno said 258,000 residents, including elderly citizens, have been enrolled in the state-run health insurance scheme. Every local government area has an ambulance service for emergency medical situations. The administration is also investing in primary healthcare facilities, human resources, and the development of the Ibom International Hospital.
Governor Eno's administration has also made significant strides in agriculture, youth empowerment, and social intervention. 1,700 farmers have received grants, while the government has approved the acquisition of hundreds of thousands of oil-palm seedlings under its Palm Tree Crop Revolution. Over 4,000 youths have been trained at IBOM-LED and DASAC in skills development and entrepreneurship, with grants totaling more than ₦2 billion disbursed.
The governor's administration has also completed and handed over more than 500 units of ARISE Compassionate Homes to some of the poorest and most vulnerable citizens in the state. Financial support has been provided to enable beneficiaries to rebuild their lives. The administration has paid more than ₦98 billion out of approximately ₦111 billion in gratuities and other emoluments inherited from the previous administration.
Key points
- - Over 1,500km of roads and 43 bridges have been undertaken, commissioned, or continued since May 2023. - ₦1.69 billion has been disbursed as student bursaries, and 3,000 teachers have been recruited. - 258,000 residents have been enrolled in the state health insurance scheme, and every local government area has an ambulance service.
