As part of its effort to open the rural areas and boost economic activities of Akwa Ibom State, the state government has approved the construction of more than 26.18 kilometres of roads.
The roads are a12.69 kilometre-Ikot Akpan Abia-Enen Nsit Road that spans across Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan local government areas, the 4.99 kilometre-Ibesit Okpokoro-Ikot Ibritam in Oruk Anam local government area and re-awarding the 8.5 kilometre-Ndueotong Oku -Ibiaku Uruan-Ekritam road due to the failure of the previous contractor to deliver on time.
Briefing Government House press shortly after the state Executive Council meeting Wednesday, Mr. Charles Udoh, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said these approvals were part of major decisions taken during the Exco meeting presided over by Governor Udom Emmanuel at the Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo.
Udoh, however, stated that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficieny informed the council that facilities at the Akwa Prime Hatchery at Mbiaya Uruan have been upgraded, noting that the improvement has led to the production of about 10,000 day-old chicks.
He remarked that the exco approved N285 million for cassava production and another N288 million for cassava processing groups, explaining that the entire steps taken by the government were in a bid to boost agricultural productions in the state.
On educational development, the information boss announced that the commissioner for education intimated the State Exco that the first batch of equipment for modular schools have arrived the state and that deployment would soon commence.
According to him, the commissioner also announced that the Naval Secondary School in Ekparakwa, Oruk Anam local government area and Command Science School in Efa, Etinan local government area have commenced academic activities.
The commissioner for Youth and Sports, according to him, told the Exco that the state government received three major sporting awards from the Federal Ministry of Sports in January namely the Best Sports Development Programmes, the Best Sports Supporting Programmes and the Best Sporting Infrastructure.
On his part, Udoh said Akan Okon, the Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, told Exco that the government provided $7.2m to Marriott Group, Managers of the Four Point By Sheraton Hotel, indicating that with the financial base, his ministry was in close supervision with the contractor to ensure that operating equipment are put in place in readiness for commencement of services in May this year.
