If every detail must be part of it, the pace-setting 21-months scorecard of the Executive Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon. Uko Umoh, FCLMI, cannot safely be chronicled in articles or pictures on pages of newspapers. It probably can only be well captured in a voluminous compendium or a full-length book for most parts not to be omitted.
But in the meantime, the record can be served in piecemeal, or slices, as the workaholic chairman aggressively unfolds his compacted programme of action for the present and future.
His commitment to the mandate constantly reminds us of the mindset with which he came into office and his tested capacity to deliver on assignments.
With the signature slogan, “A New Iman Ibom is Possible”, all that concerns Uko Umoh is creating impact that connects Etinan people to government and offer critics and cynics enough proof that democracy can work at the grassroots.
His blueprint covers infrastructure, education, transportation, agriculture, human capacity development, empowerment, visibility to the people for interface, etc.
Under infrastructure, his administration has provided steady water supply through the rehabilitation of malfunction water projects across five communities; restored electricity in five communities through provision of transformers and electric poles; and renovated primary health facility at Ndon Utin.
Massive renovation work has also been undertaken at the Etinan stadium, to boost sports and engender interest in youths who are to be groomed as future stars.
The Council Secretariat has not been left out in the breathtaking transformation. Ongoing is the construction of an ultra-modern office for the chairman; a special worship auditorium to deepen staff relationship with God; and other aspects of renovation to give the secretariat a facelift.
Moreover, to boost productivity and incentivize workers, the welfare of staff and personnel at the secretariat has not been taken for granted. Uko Umo holds the record of having been the first or amongst the first to have provided official vehicles to qualified personnel at the secretariat.
From available information, modalities are in the works for provision of other forms of incentives, including training and retraining of staff to help keep pace with emerging demands and expectations.
There has also been massive grading of aggregate of 140kms of roads across communities. This effort was complemented wit the repair of the council’s machinery that had been abandoned for years.
In the area of transportation, the chairman has the people to himself through effective performance. Just in May 2026, he inaugurated an ultra-modern, multi-purpose bus terminus. The impact of this initiative now dominates discussions amongst commuters and others, as even the most interior parts of Etinan can now be accessed.
Uko Umoh is also religiously replicating the State Government’s policy of supporting students in their academic pursuits.
For instance, to lift the burden off students and guardians, his administration bought JAMB forms for thousands of students, provided educational material to 41 public primary schools in Etinan, sponsored school uniforms for pupils in the State government-inspired model school, Ikot Isong. In a matter of time, bursary for indigens of the local government across tertiary institutions shall kickstart.
In imitation of the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, the Uko Umoh administration is enhancing food security with infectious passion and massive investments. He has established a model farm where tomato, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, pepper have been cultivated on a 3-hectare land area. In addition, seedlings of different crops and farm equipment have been distributed to farmers.
His concerns for certain demography and the generality of the masses have effectively expressed through empowerment programmes.
These include grants for SMEs, vocational tools and start-up kits for artisans, financial goodwill to widows, general financial grants for entrepreneurs, and provision of bicycles to information managers in 64 villages to boost information dissemination within their jurisdictions.
It is of curious concern to note that Uko Umoh has also been focused and committed to clearing all financial and related liabilities he inherited on assumption of office.
As a matter of character and prudence, management of funds at the secretariat has been well programmed to follow strict processes and procedures that promote fiduciary discipline, transparency, and accountability, while mitigating wastefulness and frivolous requisitions.
In a chat with this writer on the occasion of his 21st months in office, the Chairman expressed deep appreciation to God and all the human factors that contributed to his emergence as Chairman of the council. He particularly thanked His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for the level-playing ground he enhanced for the election, the rapid development of the State since 2023, the international status granted the Victor Attah International Airport and subsequent commencement of international flights.
“His Excellency has been my mentor. His pacific policy of inclusion and strict financial prudence so as to channel funds to the state development are worthy of note. But let particularly thank His Excellency for his goodwill towards me and Etinan people, and for being such an exemplary leader who has rekindled oneness spirit in the State irrespective of one’s political affiliation.
“I also thank Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu as well as the National Assembly for the materiality of local government autonomy. I must add that I have a duty to justify the mandate reposed in me as chairman of Etinan Local Area. 21 months after, here we are. But to me, this is just a beginning for something greater and better, to deepen democracy at the grassroots”.
By Hon. Uko Umoh’s present scorecard, we can only expect more!
