The 10.4km Idoro (Uyo)–Ukpom (Abak) Road Project is a fulfillment of the campaign promises made by Pastor Umo Eno to complete all projects inherited from the immediate past administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel in the state.
It further reinforces the governor’s resolve to ensure that quality infrastructure is put in place to open up rural communities and boost economic and agricultural activities in the state.
Governor Eno, who spoke at the inauguration of the project amidst pomp and celebration by indigenes and leaders from the two benefiting local government areas, said that although the project was very challenging, he was happy that it had been successfully completed.
“I promised during our campaigns that we would do all we can to complete all ongoing projects by the last administration. This project was initiated by the administration of my political father, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, and we had promised we would complete this project. “Today, we are here in fulfillment of that promise, and with the finisher’s anointing, our faith in God, and the belief that governance is a continuum, we have deployed all our resources to complete this road.
“Let me thank Amitec Construction for taking on the challenge. When you look at the videos of this road before now, you will know that it was really challenging. Let me thank the Commissioner for Works for rising to the occasion. Thank you so much for tolerating all of those bombardments, but I’m sure you are happy today that this road is done.
“We want to promise our people that we will keep connecting our rural communities to the urban centers, just like we’ll keep connecting the center of Akwa Ibom to the center in Abuja. We want to thank you for your understanding.”
While commending President Bola Tinubu for his economic reforms in the state, Governor Eno said, “This would not have been possible without the support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Ahmed Tinubu, who has released funding to the state so that we can go on to complete our projects. That’s why it’s important, as a state, that we rise up with one voice to support the president to come back for a second term.”
The governor maintained that, having completed the bit of politics of movement, his administration would continue to ensure that Akwa Ibom stands to benefit from the movement.
“We will, in the next few weeks, flag off youth-friendly centers in all of our local governments. Working with the Chairman of ALGON, each local government chairman will give us a space within their local government so that we can build youth-friendly centers for our young people. Only yesterday, I received in audience the Honourable Minister for Youth Development, and he has told me we are going to work together to ensure that those youth-friendly centers have the right equipment, the right funding, and the right support so that we can galvanize all our youths in each local government area.”
While appreciating Amitec for a job well executed, the governor assured that his government would not owe contractors, saying, “Before we issue or award a contract, we have set aside funding for that contract. So it is left for contractors to finish their contract and then take their money.”
He warned people to be wary of speculations that he is not spending money, maintaining that those who are working creatively are being targeted by his government.
“When IPCs are raised now, you will see that those fundings are being released. I can guarantee all our contractors that we will not owe you. We are paying. We’ll meet your commitments, but we will not do variation. We have ended variation. When we give you a contract, make sure you look at your contract. You will not use style to take the job and come back to us for variation,” the governor added.
In a show of love and magnanimity, the governor directed the Head of Service to immediately employ a physically challenged lawyer who was recently called to the Nigerian Bar.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, said: “This road was once impassable. It cut off access to three major healthcare centers, making it difficult for pregnant women and patients to reach help. Today, Your Excellency, you have restored hope.”
The Commissioner for Works and Fire Services, Prof. Eno Ibanga, who commended the governor on the completion of the project, said the governor inherited the project from the previous administration and paid 80 percent of the fee for its completion.
Speaking, stakeholders from the two local government areas appreciated the governor for the project and pledged their resolve to support the administration to succeed.
Prince Clement Jimbo, the lawmaker from Abak Federal Constituency, said that part of the communities the road traverses are in his ward and further thanked the governor for uniting the state politically.
The Managing Director of Amitec, Engr. Aiman Saimua, who appreciated the government for the confidence in his company’s ability, said he felt honoured by the encouragement.
He pledged to install six boreholes along the road —three in the Uyo constituency and three in the Abak axis — as will be directed by the Honourable Speaker and the Uyo lawmaker.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, accompanied by his Abak counterpart, recounted how he had come with the former Chairman of Abak, Mr. Ekerete Inyang, to calm the people of the affected communities following the deplorable condition of the road, adding that the governor had answered their prayers with its completion.
