NGO Rallies 224 Partners In Mega Social Dev’t Projects In Akwa Ibom

Determined to create a strong and independently driven private sector, a non governmental organisation (NGO) – the Titi Oluwadare and Associates (TOA) foundation, has concluded plans to rally other 224 partners including international donor agencies for key intervention projects in Akwa Ibom State.

The projects, LEADERSHIP gathered, would cut across education, armed forces and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the revamping of abandoned palm oil mill in Nsit Ubium local area.

At the University of Uyo (UNIUYO); Federal University of Technology (FUTIA), Ikot Abasi LGA, and the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Mkpat Enin LGA, the conglomerate, it was learnt, would construct some smart hostels and students’ centres for knowledge sharing and academic stimulation.

Also, the investors would set up standard accomodations for lecturers in the three institutions, officials of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, at Mbiokporo, in Nsit Ubium LGA, and members of NSCDC, Uyo.

Addressing a press conference in Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital, the Country Director for Africa Investment Council (AIC), Dr Paul Nyong Essien, said bidding processes and letters of contract awards for the projects would be issued to successful contractors to commence work after the bidding rounds on Saturday, February, 21.
He said the 22,000 capacity hostel at Uniuyo would be christened Titi Oluwadare Hostel with necessary facilities provided without putting the burden of education on parents.

“The 22000 capacity smart hostels would be well equipped with modern facilities to make life comfortable for students on campus . It would provide comfortable environment for students to study

“The same facility will be provided provided at Akwa Ibom state University and Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi to draw at foreign students to the institution,” he said.
According to Dr Essien, projects earmarked by the TOA, would change the skyline of Akwa Ibom, as it seeks to allign with the Governor Umo Eno administration’s AROSE Agenda blueprint in education, infrastructure development and job creation for the teeming unemployed youths in the State.

He added that the intervention would cut down street urchins by creating employment best and scholarship interventions for our – of – school children.

The country director also explained that that the scheme would change the economic fortunes of rural dwellers in the State with the resuscitation of the biggest oil mill in Nsit Ubium LGA, 500 housing units in universities, housing units for Civil Defence and 2 Brigade of Nigeria Army .

As a form of empowerment for the locals, he assured that all the contracts would be executed by Akwa Ibom indigenous contractors “to boost local economies and promote internally generated revenues for the State.”

“95 per cent of the jobs will be executed by Akwa Ibom indigenous contractors and engage younger people on employment. This would reduce thuggery and election violence always perpetrated by idle youths,” he stressed.

To facilitate the projects, Nyong Essien, said the team has set up projects management committees to be headed by credible and responsible citizens including a former Deputy Governor of the State, Lady Valerie Ebe, and Senator Helen Esuene, a former federal minister, “to ensure prudence management of the project funds.”

“We would constitute project management committee to be inaugurated by this weekend.
The committee will be chaired by former Deputy governor Lady Valerie Ebe for prudent management of funds.
224 partners are coming together to fund this project in the State”, he added.