By Bayo Wahab

As part of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s ARISE Agenda, Governor Umo Eno has empowered farmers, traders and business owners in the Oron Federal Constituency with cash grants totalling N335m.

Residents of the five local government areas of the federal constituency, including Oron, Okobo, Udung Uko, Urue Offong Oruko, and Mbo, benefited from the empowerment programme at the state government’s Town Square meeting in Oron.

From the N2 billion earmarked as farmers’ loans, 108 farmers received N51 million, 543 businessmen and women received N225 million, and 10 entrepreneurs each received N5 million.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Eno said the presentations were done in line with his government’s policy of entrepreneurial and agricultural development.

“We have received the needs documents, and we’re going to look at them local government by local government and work with them as they will form part of the 2026 budget christened ‘The People’s Budget.’

“As you know, there are 31 local government areas. Even if we cannot execute all the projects on this document, we will make sure we execute at least one from each of the five local government areas.

“Because we swore to be fair to all, we will not leave any federal constituency in the state behind.”

Governor Eno also expressed delight at the progress of the 14km Airport — Nsit Atai -Okobo Road, commending the contractor, Hensek Integrated Services, for the pace of work.

“That road has seen three successful government and has been used for campaigns, but today with the finishers anointing that God has given us, that road will be commissioned soon,” he said.

In his speech, the governor promised that “very soon, we shall be flagging off the construction of city gate into the Ibom deep seaport project and the sales center.”

Commending the massive turnout at the Stadium, Governor Eno urged people to keep faith with their representatives, assuring them that the NEEDS documents would capture virtually the priority needs of the constituency’s people.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, an indigene of the area, expressed appreciation for everything the Governor has done for her people and assured them that even more is on course under the ARISE Agenda.

“The Governor is very passionate about Oron, and he has promised to do more. Everything I ask him, he is always very willing to do for us in Oro. Thank you for loving me and my people,” she said while also thanking everyone who made the occasion a success.

Earlier, while setting the tone for the engagements, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, said, “We are here to listen to the Oro people and get to know what their needs are so that they can be captured in the 2026 budget.

“You are going to have the ARISE traders’ grants, the ARISE Farmers’ Grants, and the ARISE MSMEs grants.

“For the love you have shown the governor, I can assure you that he will show you more love in return from now till 2031.”

The SSG, who particularly expressed joy over the progress at the Airport—Nsit Atai —Okobo Road, assured that it was among the 52 projects by the Governor in the area.

In their presentation, the leaders of Oron Federal Constituency, who spoke through Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, eulogized the governor for working hard to “depopulate the kingdom of the devil.”

“Our people shall stand by you in appreciation of your excellent performance across the entire State, and in Oron Federal Constituency in particular.”

The stakeholders thereafter dressed the Governor in their traditional regalia of wrapper and cap to show their appreciation for all of his gestures to their people.

This was followed by a vote of confidence by the lawmakers from the federal constituency, following a motion by federal Lawmaker Martin Esin and seconded by Chief Effiong Johnson, the Chief Whip of the State Assembly.

In his goodwill message, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey, President General of Oron Union, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the numerous completed and ongoing projects and assured him of their continued support in 2027.

Speaking for the royal fathers, the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko and Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, expressed the royal fathers’ support for the Governor for a second term in office and for ‘walking the talk’ in his development agenda for the people.

The event’s high point was the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, Senator Ekong Sampson and PDP State Chairman, Aniekan Akpan.

Vanguard News