•Governor Umo Eno
… discloses payment of N100 billion gratuity arrears
ANTHONY UDOH, Uyo reporting
Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has flagged off the construction of Ibom International Market located at Ikot Ekpene which he described as a facility that will enable the people to build on their dreams for economic prosperity.
The governor stated this in his remark yesterday, Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the turning of sod for the construction of the market, at Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
He also disclosed that his administration has so far released N100 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuity to retirees in the state.
The governor who said the balance of N11 billion from the backlog of N111 billion, owed pensioners since 2012, will be paid before the end of his first term in office, also reaffirmed his commitment to good governance and the laying of an economic foundation for prosperity through projects like the international market.
He further said the commitment was in furtherance of the administration’s development strides and in fulfillment of his campaign promises in line with his economic development blueprint, the ARISE Agenda.
He noted that the turning of sod for the International Market is not a mere flag off, but the laying of a foundation for prosperity.
“We are building an infrastructure of opportunity. We are creating a platform upon which our traders, entrepreneurs, artisans, manufacturers, and young people can build on their dreams.
“This market will not merely be a place where goods are bought and sold, it will be a place where ideas will meet opportunities, enterprise will meet investment, and hard work will meet prosperity. That is the Akwa Ibom we are building. An Akwa Ibom where our people would not merely consume wealth, but create wealth.An Akwa Ibom where our people are not defined by the scarcity of opportunities, but by the abundance of possibilities. An Akwa Ibom where our indigenous products can compete confidently in national, regional, and international markets,” he said.
The governor said 39 projects have been commissioned within 30 days in September, the anniversary month of the State, adding that there are many more ongoing projects that will be commissioned until May 29, 2027.
He appreciated the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for their support, recalling that they were the first to endorse him, as well as President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for re-election.
Governor Eno urged the people to remain peaceful despite the persistent perpetration of mischief by naysayers.
“We came to work for our people. We came to deliver on our mandate. We came to show our people that governance can be felt at the grassroots level.
“We came to show that our people at the rural communities can have water and homes, we came to show that we can have good hospitals with health insurance, we came to prove that good governance is possible.
“We came so that the people can feel the impact of good and selfless governance and we have demonstrated it across the 31 local government areas of this state, and there is need to continue,” the governor added.
Welcoming the governor to the event, the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Hon. Aniefiok Nkom, commended him for keeping to his campaign promises, and for his numerous life-touching projects in the area.
He said the international market will change the narrative of the area and the state in general, and reassured of their support for the governor’s re-election as well as all APC candidates.
Giving the overview of the project, the Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Retd.) disclosed that the market has 30 modern standard blocks comprising a total of 1,200 shops, with 40 shops per block for retail and commercial activities.
Captain Ekong noted that among other numerous facilities, the market also boasts of warehouses, borehole water system, a Police post, cold rooms, restaurants, administrative block, abattoir, and internal roads
In their separate goodwill messages, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien flanked by other stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, as well as the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene, HRM Okuku Okon Udo Ukut, lauded the governor for his remarkable investments in the area and turning around the lives of the people for the better.
They recalled the long waiting period for the project in the years past and reaffirmed their unweaving support for the Umo Eno administration beyond 2027.
On his part, the Director-General of Campaigns, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, noted that he was with the governor throughout the 2023 governorship campaigns and heard his promises, adding that he was proud that the governor has kept to the promises.
The DG who described Governor Eno as a Governor of Emancipation, said he has liberated people from pains and suffering, as the stress of going to foreign markets will soon become history.
