By ETIM ETIM
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved a some projects to be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu when he visits the state in September.
And as a build-up to the visit, the governor will embark on a 30-day programme for the commissioning of 39 projects as part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State.
The state was created on September 23, 1987.
Preparations for these two events were approved at the state executive council meeting on Monday after a presentation by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr Morgan Ekanem.
Among the projects slated for commissioning by the President are the New Terminal Building, Airport Hospital, Aviation Village, the 14.5KM Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, the Dualisation of extended Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre, AkwaGIS office complex, the State Secretariat Annex and the ARISE Palm Resort.
Following the presentation by Morgan, the Governor directed all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to ensure seamless coordination and adequate preparations for the successful hosting of the President and the commissioning programme.
The Council also approved the release of N31 billion for the implementation of a statewide Economic Empowerment Programme, with N1 billion allocated to each of the 31 Local Government Areas.
The intervention is expected to benefit 165,912 residents through youth skills acquisition and starter packs, business grants for women and traders, agricultural support, SME development and transport empowerment. A committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government was constituted to work out implementation modalities.
The Executive Council also received reports on achievements in the health sector, endorsed the phased implementation of solar-powered rural water projects across the state’s 369 wards, approved plans for the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, fixed December 18, 2026, for the Annual Christmas Carol Festival, and announced a two-day youth conference.
Council further noted the passage of all 12 Executive Bills by the State House of Assembly, swore in a new State Statistician-General, and received the Governor’s Best African Leader in People-Centric Governance Award.
Briefing Government House Correspondents after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the resolutions underscored Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure delivery while expanding economic opportunities for citizens across the state.
“The Executive Council took far-reaching decisions aimed at sustaining the implementation of the ARISE Agenda. From the commissioning of major projects to the approval of the N31 billion economic empowerment programme, these resolutions reflect government’s resolve to deepen inclusive development and improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom people,” Umanah stated.
ETIM ETIM is a veteran journalist and PR professional with over 35 years of cognate experience.
He is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Policy & Politics (www.policyandpolitics.com.ng), an online newspaper dedicated to insightful analysis of Nigerian news and world’s report. He is also a columnist with BusinessDay and The Cable and is a regular contributor to other newspapers.
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