Gov Eno Kicks Off Palliatives Distribution, Commissions Projects

Governor of Akwa Ibom State Umo Eno has commemorated his 100 days in office with the distribution of the fuel subsidy palliatives at his Ikot Ekpene Udo village in Nsit Ubium local government area and commissioned some road projects in the three senatorial districts.

 The projects included those around the Akpan Andem Market designed to ensure the effective implementation of the administration’s “Arise Agenda” blueprint for the people.

In his address, the governor gave his administration a pass mark in performance since inauguration on May 29, 2023, saying his achievements were indications of what to expect in his first tenure.

He said, “Exactly 100 days ago, I stood before you to unveil my vision for the continuous growth and development of our people and our dear state through our governance and economic blueprint, the ‘Arise Agenda’.

“And so here we are, 100 days later, I can say that the ship of our state is anchored and moored on a solid shoreline, the energy is over- charged, the vision is clear and the hands on the ship of state is firm, and the gaze for what lies ahead is focused and unwavering.

“We have established an Agency with the sole responsibility to drive our rural development, improve the quality of life of our rural dwellers, stimulate economic activities and stem rural-to urban migration, the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).”

He said so far, they have flagged-off critical roads in all the three senatorial districts, and that the first roads they flagged off, a little over two months ago, the internal roads in Urua Akpan Andem, was commissioned and delivered on schedule.

He added that to ignite agricultural revolution in line with ‘Arise Agenda’, the administration has acquired over 50,000 hectares of land in all the 31 local government areas, to ensure food security  and to get the people involved in agro-allied enterprises.

He said as a practical demonstration of this resolve, they recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the world renowned Songhai Farms to start a model farm in the state and that already they have sent hundreds of people for training so that they could form the nucleus of the skilled workers to drive the exercise.

“We have steadily paid gratuities to local government, primary school teachers and state workers. N3 billion has so far been released for this exercise. We have commenced an initial five-month payment of leave grants in the main service. This exercise started last month, and the first phase will end in December. You will agree with me, that, this has been bold steps taken to address this issue,” he said.