…lists multi-billion naira projects across state

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Special Assistant on New Media to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Venerable Richard Peters, has mounted a robust defence of the governor’s performance, declaring that the administration has fulfilled its campaign promises through the implementation of the ARISE Agenda.

Speaking during a roundtable discussion with journalists in Abuja, Peters said Governor Eno’s administration had recorded remarkable achievements across critical sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, aviation, tourism, youth empowerment and workers’ welfare.

He also attributed the pace of development in the state to Governor Eno’s collaborative relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as well as improved funding, which he said had accelerated the execution of key projects.

Highlighting the administration’s agricultural interventions, Peters said the government had launched the Oil Palm Tree Crop Revolution to restore Akwa Ibom’s status as a leading oil palm-producing state while establishing an Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to provide subsidised mechanised services for farmers.

According to him, the administration has distributed farm implements and improved seedlings to farmers, released N2 billion in agricultural grants, established the Ibom Model Farm and commenced Local Government Area farms aimed at boosting food production and reducing food prices.

He added that Governor Eno approved N7.3 billion for women cooperatives across the state’s 369 wards, with each ward receiving N20 million, while solar-powered Braithwaite tank boreholes are being provided in all wards in partnership with GIFA.

On infrastructure, Peters said the administration had either completed or was executing about 1,300 kilometres of economically viable roads alongside 40 bridges.

He noted that rural roads, modern markets, model healthcare centres and model primary schools have been delivered across the state’s 31 local government areas.

In the education sector, Peters said the governor had sustained free and compulsory primary and secondary education, paid bursaries to tertiary students, supported state-owned institutions with grants and upgraded the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to a University of Education.

He further disclosed that the government had built solar-powered model primary schools equipped with computer laboratories and teachers’ quarters, recruited 1,000 teachers and commenced the construction of three model secondary schools, one in each senatorial district,with modern learning facilities.

On healthcare, Peters said model primary healthcare centres had been completed or were under construction in all 31 local government areas, while more than 2,854 medical personnel had been recruited.

He also revealed that over 200,000 residents had been enrolled in the State Medical Insurance Scheme, while work had commenced on the proposed 350-bed Ibom International Hospital with 24 specialist departments.

Speaking on tourism and economic development, Peters said the ARISE Palm Resort would soon be commissioned alongside the International Convention Centre, Ibom Hotels and the ARISE Shopping City Centre, projects he said would position Akwa Ibom as a major tourism destination in the region.

He described aviation as one of the administration’s biggest success stories, citing the recent maiden international flight from the new Ibom terminal to Accra, Ghana, the acquisition of a CRJ900 Bombardier aircraft for Ibom Air and plans to add an Airbus A220-300 to the airline’s fleet before the end of 2026.

According to him, Ibom Air has commenced international operations, while supporting infrastructure, including the aviation village, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, airport hospital, taxiway and perimeter fencing, has been completed.

On social investment and workers’ welfare, Peters said the administration had paid more than N83 billion out of the N111 billion gratuity backlog inherited from previous administrations, with a commitment to clear the outstanding balance before the end of Governor Eno’s first term.

He added that over N6 billion had been disbursed as business grants to youths and farmers, while thousands of young people had received vocational training through the Ibom-LED and DASAC programmes, alongside start-up grants of N750,000 each.

Peters also disclosed that the recently inaugurated Youth Development Centre in Oron would be replicated across all 31 local government areas to promote digital skills, e-commerce, creative industries and fashion entrepreneurship.

He further said the administration was expanding electricity access through stable power supply initiatives and off-grid solutions for underserved rural communities.

According to him, the Ibom Deep Seaport has secured Federal Government approval for key certifications and compliance requirements, placing it among the five newly approved ports in the country.

He also listed the construction of more than 1,048 housing units under various schemes, including Compassionate Homes, Medical Village, Aviation Village, Judiciary Village and Legislative Village, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving living standards.

Peters equally applauded the arrival of new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, expressing optimism that the completion of the state’s transport terminal would significantly ease transportation challenges and improve mobility for residents.

He maintained that the projects and programmes being implemented under the ARISE Agenda demonstrate Governor Eno’s determination to fulfil his promises and transform Akwa Ibom through inclusive development.