A’Ibom Government Spends N208.16B On Road Projects Since May 2023

Otobong Nsekpong

Motorists will have to endure the pains of diversion along Calabar Itu highway a little longer due to the inability of the contractor handling the Tabernacle Road project to complete as scheduled.

The appeal for understanding was made by the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof Eno Ibanga at a press conference in Uyo.

The Commissioner who gave update on road projects handled by the present administration since May 2023 blamed the delay in the contract execution on persistent rainfall experienced in the state.

According to him, the greater part of the work needed for the swift completion of the Tabernacle road has been the excavation which from professional advice from certified civil Engineers should go at least 11 meters deep.

“This of course is a very deep excavation work which unfortunately was slowed down by perennial rainfall and the absence of the usual August break which we have experienced in Akwa Ibom State this year. The reality remains that if the contractors had ignored the rains and continued with the excavation, there is a tendency of accidents or poor project delivery”

Prof Ibanga expressed confidence in the ability of the contractor handling the project to execute the job according to specification and also appealed to motorists to continue to bear with government in the face of difficulty due to the diversion.

“We understand the challenges faced by commuters in seeking for alternative routes as a result of this construction. This administration, being a responsive one, has immediately swung into action with the immediate award of contract for the construction of Uyo village Road and Ikpa Road stretching up to Udoette Street.”

The Commissioner flanked by his counterpart in the Ministry of Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works and Fire Service, Ignatius Anthony Ekwere, said so far Akwa Ibom state government has spent a total of N208.16b on road projects including the ones inherited from past administrations.

“Governor Umo Eno has so far injected N47.93 Billion into Thirty-Six (36) of the inherited FGPC projects and N4.04 Billion into Fifty-One (51) of the Emergency intervention Projects inherited from the immediate past administration. A total of 51.96 Billion has been spent in this category”

The Commissioner hinted that 61 projects have been initiated by the administration of Pastor Umo Eno while some have been completed others are at various stages of completion.

“These projects have already been completed and commissioned while others are at various stages of completion. N151.66 Billion has been released by this administration to finance Fifty (50) of the FGPC ARISE Agenda Projects while N4.54 Billion Naira has been spent on the Eleven (11) Emergency Intervention ARISE Agenda Projects. In all, a total of N156.20 Billion has been spent on the ARISE Agenda Projects”.

Meanwhile eight ARISE Agenda Projects have be completed and have been scheduled for commissioning the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno. The projects to be commissioned include The 6.97km Ukpana – Akpabom – Ikwe road with 30m span bridge in ONNA and Mkpat Enin LGA

The 2.45km internal roads at Block G, Anua Ifa Ikot Okpon Housing Estate, Uyo.

3.6km Ikot Obio Offong-Nung Ukana (Spur I to Ikot Obio Odongo) – Abaukpo – (Spur II to Afaha Ikot Owop) – Obetok – Obongntong – Enen Nsit – Afaha Udoeyop – Afaha Offong Road in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

10.519km Mkpat Enin-Ikot Ubo-Ikot Ntot-Nkikara Road in Mkpat Enin/Ikot Abasi LGA

9.76km Anciliary Roads with 60m Bridge in Nsit Ubium LGA with additional Road measuring 2.3km

4.95km Ekparakwa – Ntak Ibesit Road in Oruk Anam LGA.

2.9km Secretariat Okuko II – Events Road with Spur in Urue-Offiong/Oruko LGA

22.75km Ikot Ekaide – Ikot Okoro – Ibritam Road with two bridges in Oruk Anam LGA

He appealed to Akwa Ibom people to desist from constituting themselves into emergency road construction experts through initiating additional designs like speed breakers on the roads, as these can cause early damage to the road infrastructure. The right thing to do is to approach the Ministry of Works with such requests.

“We continue to plead with citizens of the State to complement Government investments in infrastructural expansion by not erecting structures on waterways, drainages and right of ways” the Commissioner pleaded.

The press conference was also attended by the Chief press secretary to the governor, Mr Ekerette Udoh and Media consultant to the governor,Hon Aniekan Umanah.