•Governor Umo Eno (C)
Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said that the economic impact and employment opportunities created by the ongoing International Convention Centre, Ibom International Hotel and ARISE Shopping City projects in Uyo is enormous.
Governor Eno said the projects, beyond their infrastructural significance, have engaged more than 2,000 people daily over the past year, thereby contributing to economic activities and enhancing peace and security in the state.
The governor spoke yesterday, Thursday, September 17, 2026, while addressing members of the Government House Press Corps shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction works at the three project sites in Uyo.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the projects as a manifestation of visions conceived by previous administrations.
“I am happy that there is visible progress and we thank God for what we see on ground. The International Hotel and the International Conference Centre were envisaged 16 years ago and I am happy that we are realizing that vision,” he said.
Governor Eno said the projects would also support the State’s tourism development and youth empowerment objectives under his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
According to him, the facilities, when completed, would boost tourism, attract visitors and investors, create employment opportunities for youths and showcase Akwa Ibom’s tourism potential to the international community.
“The International Convention Centre can take 5,000 people, and there are partitions that would help you segment your meetings. There are twelve breakout rooms, restaurant and other facilities,” he said.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing modern tourism facilities that would complement Akwa Ibom’s growing profile as a tourism destination.
“What we are seeing here is part of development. If this is a state capital, and we want tourists to visit, we must have the facilities to accommodate them by developing those facilities to international standards,” he added.
Governor Eno commended the contractors handling the projects for maintaining the pace of work and expressed hope that the facilities would be completed and commissioned on schedule for the benefit of the people.
The governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga; Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah; other members of the State Executive Council and government officials.
