Work has resumed at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly complex in Uyo, nearly 11 months after lawmakers and staff vacated the rehabilitation facility. A reporter observed construction activity on Wednesday, 23 September, the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State. The development is notable because the state anniversary was marked with celebrations following the commissioning of 39 projects across the state. However, the House of Assembly complex remained unusable, leaving lawmakers without a functional permanent legislative complex.
The rehabilitation project, budgeted at ₦15.47 billion, had stalled for months, despite substantial budgetary provisions for the project in 2025 and 2026. A report found that more than seven months after the relocation of legislative and administrative activities, little visible evidence of substantial work existed at the facility. The contractor had previously given a six-month completion timeline, which expired in April 2026. The complex had been closed for rehabilitation since lawmakers and staff were directed to vacate the premises in October 2025.
On Wednesday, workers were observed moulding concrete blocks, doing blockwork in the reception area of the main building, and efforts to restore construction equipment that had remained idle on site. Two workers were moulding six-inch blocks, while three heaps of granite chippings and two heaps of sand had been delivered to the facility. Workers were also seen adding blocks to a wall in some areas of the building. At another section of the entrance, a worker was strengthening a bamboo-stick structure, apparently being prepared for parapet work.
Some workers told reporters that preparations for the resumption of work began last weekend after sand, granite chippings, and bamboo sticks were brought to the complex. They said actual rehabilitation work commenced on Monday. However, a source familiar with activities at the facility expressed uncertainty over whether the renewed activity would be sustained. The source said, "As of yesterday morning, the last I was aware, the company had not been mobilised for this work."
The resumed activity comes after a series of reports documented the prolonged inactivity at the complex and the questions surrounding the project. The reports highlighted the contrast between the inactivity at the Assembly complex and the construction activities on several major tourism and hospitality projects funded by the state. Lawmakers had pushed to return to the complex, with some expressing concern that the state’s revenue base did not justify having the legislature effectively displaced for such a long period.
The latest resumption of work comes as the state approaches the period for presentation of the 2027 budget proposal. Some lawmakers said they were embarrassed by the prolonged closure of the complex and expressed concern that the state’s revenue base did not justify having the legislature effectively displaced for such a long period. They said lawmakers had informed the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, that they wanted the 2027 budget proposal presented at the Assembly complex.
For now, workers are back at the complex, equipment that had remained idle is being put to use, and fresh construction materials have arrived. Whether the recommenced activity signals a sustained restart of the ₦15.47 billion rehabilitation or another brief intervention remains unclear. The state government has yet to publicly explain why work on the Assembly rehabilitation stalled for months or what prompted the latest resumption.
Key points
- The ₦15.47 billion rehabilitation project had stalled for months despite substantial budgetary provisions.
- Lawmakers had pushed to return to the complex, citing embarrassment and concern over the state's revenue base.
- The resumption of work comes as the state approaches the period for presentation of the 2027 budget proposal.
