Akwa Ibom Government is set to commence construction work on the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in the state.
Speaking during a well-attended Town Square meeting of Oron Federal Constituency at Oron Stadium on Saturday, April 5, Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said as part of his second anniversary in office, he would officially flag off the construction of both the city gate and the sales office for the Deep Seaport.
He said the ceremony would coincide with the inauguration of Unyenge–Deep Seaport Road.
“We are done with talking. We are done with drawing. We are done with paperwork. Now is the time for action,” Governor Eno declared. “This is a step forward in our quest to deliver this important project.”
The Town Square meeting, held to enable residents of Oron Federal Constituency present their development needs directly to the state government, also featured the disbursement of N355 million in grants to farmers, traders and entrepreneurs from the five local government areas in the constituency—Oron, Okobo, Udung Uko, Urue Offong Oruko, and Mbo.
According to details released at the event, N51 million was allocated to 108 farmers under the N2 billion Farmers’ Loan scheme; 543 business owners received a total of N225 million; and 10 young entrepreneurs were supported with N5 million in grants.
Governor Eno said the grants were in line with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, which places emphasis on entrepreneurial growth and agricultural development.
“We have received the Needs Document and will assess it local government by local government. It will form part of the 2026 budget, which we’ve christened ‘The People’s Budget’,” he stated.
“Even if we cannot execute every single project listed, we will ensure at least one is carried out in each of the five local government areas. We are committed to fairness and will not leave any federal constituency behind.”
The Governor also expressed satisfaction with ongoing construction on the 14km Airport–Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, describing the work pace by contractor Hensek Integrated Services as commendable. “That road has passed through three administrations and has served as a campaign slogan,” he said. “But with the finisher’s anointing God has given us, that road will soon be commissioned.”
The Deputy Governor, an indigene of Oron, Senator Akon Eyakenyi commended the Governor for what he has done for her people and assured them that even more are on course under the ARISE Agenda.
“The Governor is very passionate about Oro and he has promised to do more. Everything I ask him, he is always very willing to do it for us in Oro. Thank you for loving me and my people”, she said, while also thanking everyone who made the occasion a success.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, had said that, “we are here to listen to the Oro people, and get to know what their needs are, so that they can be captured in the 2026 budget.
“You are going to have the ARISE traders’ grants, the ARISE Farmers’ Grants, and the ARISE MSMEs grants.
“For the love you have shown the Governor, I can assure you that he will show you more love in return from now till 2031.”
Uwah who particularly expressed joy over the progress at the Airport – Nsit Atai – Okobo Road, assured that was among the 52 projects by the Governor in the area.
In their presentation, the leaders of Oron Federal Constituency, who spoke through Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, eulogized the Governor for working hard to “depopulate the kingdom of the devil.”
“Our people shall stand by you in appreciation of your excellent performance across the entire state, and in Oron Federal Constituency in particular.”
The stakeholders thereafter cladded the Governor in their traditional regalia of wrapper and cap to show their appreciation for all of his gestures to their people.
This was followed by a vote of confidence by the lawmakers from the federal constituency, following a motion by federal Lawmaker, Martin Esin and seconded by Chief Effiong Johnson, the Chief Whip of the State Assembly.
In his goodwill message, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey, President-General of Oron Union expressed appreciation to the Governor on the numerous completed and ongoing projects, and assured the Governor of their continued support come 2027.
Speaking for the royal fathers, the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko and Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet expressed the support of royal fathers to the Governor for a second term in office, for ‘walking the talk’ in his development agenda for the people.
The presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries was done by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, Senator Ekong Sampson and State PDP Chairman, Aniekan Akpan.
