Patrick Ekpoh explores how AKSG is fast turning a gully erosion site into a leisure and recreational centre
There is a huge construction project in the heart of Uyo that is soon becoming a major leisure and recreation hub in the city. What was once a major gully erosion site is being turned into a playground for the wealthy and the middle class christened The Arise Park. It has a nine-hole golf course; children’s playground; artificial lake; swimming pools; football field and table tennis courts. Other facilities include a world-class gym, chalets, banquet hall, waterfalls, green areas, sports arena among others. Construction work is going on at the site at feverish pitch as the government wants to meet the May completion date.
The Umo Eno administration wants to create a vibrant tourism industry in the state, building on the solid foundation laid by his predecessors. In addition to the ARISE Park, the government is also building a convention center; a shopping complex and is overhauling the existing 18-hole golf resort and hotel, known as Ibom Hotel Golf & Golf Resort, which has been in business for about 20 years now. The state is also known for its iconic football stadium that is home to the Super Eagles; the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Center; Ibeno beach; Ibom Unity Museum, as well as the Amalgamation House and many other tourist sites that are receiving government’s attention. The ARISE Park is therefore another bold and ambitious attempt to reposition the state as a major tourism destination.
“We have gone very far in realizing this project; we work 24 hours here and you can see that everyone is at work”, a staff of Bulletin Construction Company handling project told me when I visited the site last weekend.
When completed and commissioned, it would become the governor’s signature project and signposts his dream of making tourism the primary driver of development of the state. Its carefully designed spaces capture both the natural beauty and the assembled architectural masterpieces, giving visitors a perfect place to unwind, engage in sports and enjoy the finest culinary offerings within a green environment.
