A’Ibom spent over N208bn on projects in 17 months – Commissioner

The Akwa Ibom State Government has disclosed that it has spent over N208.16bn on roads and other infrastructural projects since Governor Umo Eno assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, made the revelation during a press briefing in Uyo, the state capital, on Sunday. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, and the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Ikim.

Ibanga explained that out of the total sum, N47.93bn was expended on 36 projects inherited from the Finance and General Purpose Committee, while N4.04bn was spent on emergency intervention projects inherited from the previous administration, bringing the total amount spent on inherited projects to N51.96bn.

Additionally, the state government has invested N151.96bn in 61 projects under the ARISE Agenda, which are key initiatives of Governor Eno’s administration.

“Governor Umo Eno has so far injected N47.93bn into 36 inherited FGPC projects, and N4.04bn on 51 emergency intervention projects. In total, N51.96bn has been spent in this category,” Ibanga said.

He further noted that the ARISE Agenda projects, initiated by the current administration, include 61 projects, some of which have been completed and commissioned, while others are at various stages of completion.

“N151.66bn has been released to finance 50 of the FGPC ARISE Agenda projects, while N4.54bn has been spent on 11 emergency intervention ARISE projects. In total, N156.20bn has been spent on the ARISE Agenda projects,” the commissioner added.

According to Ibanga, as of October 18, 2024, the state had spent a cumulative sum of N208.16bn on both inherited and newly initiated projects.

Completed projects under the ARISE initiative include the Akpan Andem Market project, the Amphitheatre at the Christmas Village Arena, the Atiku Abubakar underground tunnel, and the Goretti Secondary School road, among others.

Speaking on road infrastructure, Ibanga provided an update on the Tabernacle Road project, stating that significant progress had been made in excavation work, which, according to civil engineers, would need to reach a depth of 11 meters.

However, he lamented that work had slowed due to persistent rainfall in the state.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy while setting the tone for the briefing, emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency, adding that the governor had directed media managers to keep journalists informed at all times.