The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to rehabilitate 486 rural roads across the state's 31 local government areas as part of its efforts to boost agriculture and environmental sustainability under the ARISE Agenda. This move aims to improve rural access and agricultural marketing. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, and the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, disclosed this information at the fifth Ministerial Media Briefing.
The state government has released ₦2 billion in grants to support crop and livestock value chains. This initiative is part of the "Back to Farm" program, which aims to reposition agriculture through mechanization, improved inputs, extension services, and integrated production systems. More than 15,000 residents have registered for the second edition of the Home Farm Scheme, which includes participants adopting vertical farming.
To support farmers, the state has established an equipment leasing company that offers tractors and implements at a 50 percent subsidized rate. Improved cassava varieties capable of yielding between 30 and 35 tonnes per hectare have been distributed, along with over 50,000 bundles of cassava cuttings, maize, and pumpkin seeds. The government is also strengthening rural access and agricultural marketing through counterpart funding for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The government has commissioned an 11-kilometre road linking communities in Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, and Nsit Ubium. The AK-CARES program has supported over 16,000 beneficiaries, graded over 150 rural roads, and provided or rehabilitated over 81 wet-market toilet facilities and slaughter slabs. The Tree Crop Revolution Programme will see the distribution of over 600,000 oil-palm seedlings, with 14 local government areas already receiving 5,000 seedlings each.
The state government is also focused on environmental sustainability, with investments of over ₦900 million in the reclamation and redevelopment of erosion sites. Emergency desilting was ordered at several locations in Uyo following the July flooding. The government has engaged a consultant to review the Uyo Urban Drainage Flood Master Plan to address the impact of urbanization, climate change, and unregulated development.
Akwa Ibom generates approximately 700,000 metric tonnes of solid waste annually, equivalent to roughly 2,000 tonnes daily. The government is exploring waste-to-energy and waste-to-wealth initiatives, including energy generation, plastic recycling, household waste segregation, and organic fertilizer production. The state is implementing afforestation projects covering 10 hectares at Itak, Ikot Ekpene, with about 6,250 trees.
The state government has installed over 10,000 solar-powered streetlights and incorporated clean energy into projects such as ARISE Compassionate Homes and model schools, alongside the deployment of CNG buses. The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, stated that the ministerial briefing was designed to close information gaps and enable citizens to scrutinize government policies, figures, and interventions directly from the officials responsible for implementation.
Key points
- The Akwa Ibom state government has earmarked 486 rural roads for rehabilitation and released ₦2 billion in agriculture grants.
- The state aims to distribute over 600,000 oil-palm seedlings and support farmers with tractors and implements at subsidized rates.
- Akwa Ibom generates approximately 700,000 metric tonnes of solid waste annually and is exploring waste-to-energy and waste-to-wealth initiatives.
