Eno approves contracts for 167km road projects to boost rural development in Akwa Ibom

Governor Umo Eno has approved the award of contracts for road projects covering 167km as part of a deliberate policy to boost rural development and connectivity among communities in Akwa Ibom State.

The contracts cover 27 road projects which included the award of a contract for the dualisation and construction of a six-lane, 36 kilometre Nung Udoe–Afaha Offiong–Ikot Imo–Itreto road, with bridges, outfall drains, and solar lighting, to Hensek Integrated Services Limited.and the construction of 7.6 kilometre Ikwe–Odio road in Onna and Eket Local Government Areas with outfall drains and solar street lighting, awarded to Orenburg Construction Limited.

Others included the dualisation of the 7.64-kilometre Ndon Eyo–Ikot Akpatek road in Onna LGA, awarded to Eighteenth Engineering Limited; the construction of 4.0-kilometre Ekom Iman Junction–Afia Nsit–Nduo Eduo–Mbiokporo road in Nsit Ibom LGA, awarded to Techno Impex Synergy Ltd; as well as other projects across the state.

Aniekan Umanah, commissioner for Information, made this known while addressing reporters at the end of the state executive council presided over by Governor Umo Eno and attended by commissioners and special advisers along with the deputy governor Akon Eyakenyi.

Umanah said the council also directed that the Senior Citizens Establishment Bill, 2026 be forwarded to the State House of Assembly to provide a legal framework for the care and welfare of the elderly, including provisions for the management of the Oluremi Senior Citizens Centre.

According to him, the council also received and reviewed a report from the Commissioner for Agriculture on the impact of the N2bn Agricultural Grant and applauded the positive outcomes recorded, particularly in the expansion of farm sizes and output, increased procurement of inputs such as feeds, fertilizers, and farm machinery, growth in agro-processing activities, improved income levels among beneficiaries, and a reduction in the cost per tonne of cassava.

In addition, he said, “Council also received a report from the Commissioner for Trade and Investment on the N2bn Traders Grant and noted the positive impact of the programme on overall business growth and improved livelihoods of the people.”

It also approved a solar-powered Braithwaite storage tank rural water project across the 369 wards of the State, while it “reviewed the implementation plan and directed modifications, including community inclusion in the maintenance structure of the project upon delivery.”

“The Governor-in-Council inaugurated the Steering Committee on Ward-Level Cooperative Societies, with the mandate to provide strategic policy direction, coordination, and oversight for the newly established cooperative societies across the 369 wards,” he said.

The commissioner quoted the governor as pledging to remain “focused on delivering impactful projects and improving the lives of our people.”