Wednesday, April 24, will ever remain memorable in the minds of residents, passersby, and business owners along Atiku Abubakar Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital city, as it marked a major turning point in the history of the road and its environs, with the inauguration of projects by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Inaugurating the 1.3-kilometre, 8-metre-deep, 2x2x0.3-metre-deep underground flood control tunnel, the reconstructed section of Atiku Abubakar Avenue with street lights, and the reconstructed Afaha Ube Street, former President Jonathan commended the State’s governor, Umo Eno, for his rare performance in less than a year in office.
The former president, who observed that the governor means well for the state, averred that Governor Eno was focused and proactive with governance in tackling issues, particularly the menace of floods, even before the Federal Government’s flood alert to states.
He reechoed the governor’s charge to the people to secure government’s facilities in their domains, stating that the three-in-one project depicted focused leadership and underscored the quality of people working with Pastor Eno.
In his remarks, Governor Eno noted that before he inspected the road on that fateful Sunday, he received a picture from a concerned indigene on the flooded road, which was completely impassable.
Emphasising the need, therefore, for citizens to always draw the attention of government to issues of concern over which they think government can intervene, as running the state was a collective responsibility, Pastor Eno mentioned that “the project was a product of fate and circumstance. A picture of the road on a rainy day was sent to me on a Sunday. It was completely impassable, and so we decided to intervene.”
Governor Eno, who maintained that he was running an open government across party lines and also open to constructive criticism, charged Akwa Ibom people to protect government projects in their domains rather than destroy them.
He reminded citizens of the state that facilities destroyed were a collective loss, as the money spent in providing such facilities was the state’s money and belongs to everyone.
“When we fix roads, do not turn them into market places; don’t destroy projects; don’t destroy facilities. Government spent money to do them. If you see any facility destroyed, know that it is your money that is being destroyed. Own projects and keep them because we will not spend money on projects that are destroyed, but we will go on to execute others,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment to touching the lives of the citizenry, Governor Eno assured that he will continue to ensure soft infrastructure, urging the people to take advantage of the job opportunities provided by the ongoing projects in the state.
He appreciated the presence of Dr. Jonathan and restated his determination to maintain cordial relationships with the federal government and indigenes of the state at the federal level.
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, said the project, delivered within eight months, commenced in September 2023, after the contract was awarded in August 2023.
He disclosed that the Afaha Ube area, hitherto waterlogged, was restored 100 percent up to Ikot Ekpene Road to have an alternative route, adding that street lights were introduced to guarantee the security of the area.
Earlier, the Transition Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, noted that businesses, academics, and property that were either interrupted or destroyed have now been brought back to life through the intervention of the Umo Eno administration.
The event, which had personalities from all walks of life, featured goodwill messages from various stakeholders, including the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, HRM Edidem Sylvanus Okon, as well as the presentation of birthday gifts by the Governor to his birthday mates and gratitude from pupils of Beulah School.
With the completion and inauguration of the underground drainage system on Atiku Abubakar Avenue and Afaha Ube Street, hope has now been restored for residences and business premises in the area.
Mr. Ndianabasi Udo, a businessman in the area remarked that “doing this road is a very good thing for our businesses here; our businesses are moving now. We suffered a lot because of the flood before the governor fixed the road for us, but now, our customers can access the road and come and do business with us.”
A commuter and indigene of Afaha Ube Itam, Dr. Ubong Umoren, while expressing delight with the commissioning of the road, said, “The water at Atiku used to drive my car when taking my children to school at Federal Housing, but now, I drive freely and do not think of using alternative routes. I want to tell the governor, thank you very much. God bless you, sir.”
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