Akwa Ibom Targets $10m From Water Sector

As Akwa Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, sets to sign the Water Resources Bill into law, the commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Capt Iniobong Ekong, has assured of $10 million yearly income from the sector.

The bill was passed by the State House of Assembly in July, 2022.

“Once the water and sanitation law is assented to by the governor, the state stands to get $10 million investments per annum by international agencies,” Ekong said.

Addressing journalists at the conference room of his ministry at the Idongesit Nkanga secretariat, Uyo, the commissioner assured that “when that bill is signed into law, over five agencies that regulate, commercialise and turn water into investment will emerge with more employment opportunities for the people.”

Speaking on his stewardship in the last 10 months, the ex-military chief said his ministry has stepped up efforts to ward-off speculators and fraudsters from encroaching on government’s estates and lands across the state.

He warned that though his ministry has ensured extermination of land grabbers and reduction to a zero percentage of illegal activities on land and landed property, he would not hesitate “to prosecute those who stand on the way of government by blocking government land allotees from having access to their property.

“The Ministry of Lands and Water Resources has a mission to efficiently, effectively and strategically manage lands and water resources of Akwa Ibom State for the benefit of all, including intending visitors.

“In contributing to the completion agenda of this administration, the ministry has executed its core mandates of facilitating the allocation of lands to investors and citizens, production of site plans and layout plans of acquired lands; registration of land instruments as well as carried out programmes and projects that could justify the existence of the ministry.