Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing inherited projects with economic value, as residents of Eket Local Government Area applauded the delivery of a combined 4.8-kilometre road infrastructure intervention in the area.
The projects, comprising the 2.4km lkot Akpa lkpo to urua udo–Inyang road in okon, 2.4km internal roads Network within mkpok Estate Phase 1 & 2 as well as inspection of Afaha Atai & Iseyeridua road, all in Eket Local Government Area,, were inaugurated by the Governor as part of efforts to improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities and enhance living conditions.
Governor Eno, during the inaguration, said his administration would continue to assess inherited projects and complete those that provide value to the people, dismissing claims that such projects were being abandoned.
“It is not true that we are not completing inherited projects. When we find out that they are of economic value to our people, we go ahead to complete them,” the Governor stated.
He explained that the Commissioner for Works and the Commissioner for Special Duties have a list of inherited projects being completed and commissioned across the state.
The Governor also urged communities to take ownership of government infrastructure and protect completed projects from damage.
“This is your road. Please protect it because you don’t know when the will of government will roll here again,” he appealed.
At Mkpok Housing Estate, Governor Eno recalled his personal connection with Eket, noting that he lived in the area and started his business there. He commended the Commissioner for Works and his team for ensuring the completion of roads within the estate.
He also announced plans to complete other projects in Eket, including the Football Academy, Oto Road and Four Square Road, while offering a personal intervention for the people to identify up to 10 kilometres of roads for development.
“We are determined to support our people. History will not be complete if the time that I was here is not recorded,” he said.
The Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Akaninyene Tommy, described Governor Eno as a promise keeper, saying the projects had restored attention to long-neglected infrastructure.
Tommy noted that the Mkpok Housing Estate road addressed decades of neglect, as the estate had existed for over 40 years before the intervention.
“Today, by the special grace of God, you are here again to commission this 2.4km internal road,” he said.
He added that the Okon road project would improve access towards Ibeno Local Government Area, reduce travel time and encourage economic activities along the corridor.
Former Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, commended the Governor for completing inherited projects, describing it as a demonstration of leadership maturity and commitment to good governance.
“Good governance is not about who started a project necessarily, but about ensuring that the people enjoy the benefits of development,” Ukpong said.
He acknowledged the role of the previous administration that initiated the project, stressing that continuity in governance promotes unity, confidence and sustainable development.
The people of Eket also appealed for additional interventions, including access roads to the clan palace, rehabilitation of an abandoned road project in Okon and support to operationalise a proposed police post, for which facilities have already been provided by the community.
The commissioning of the 4.8-kilometre road projects underscores the Governor’s emphasis on infrastructure renewal, continuity and partnership with communities in driving development across Akwa Ibom State.
