Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced that his administration has invested a total of N743 billion in road infrastructure over the past three years, underscoring a commitment to improving connectivity and driving economic development across the state.
The Governor made the disclosure on Saturday during a media briefing at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.
Governor Eno, who made an unscheduled appearance at the briefing, described road development as a central pillar of his administration’s ARISE Agenda. He noted that extensive efforts have been made to construct and rehabilitate roads across the three senatorial districts, with a focus on linking rural communities to urban centres and enhancing access to markets and economic opportunities.
According to him, the state has completed 1,348 kilometres of roads within the three-year period. He described the milestone as a significant achievement for a sub-national government.
The Governor also addressed concerns surrounding the abandoned 12.15-kilometre Ikot Akpan Abia–Oboyo Ikot Ita–Enen Nsit Road project, which he described as critical to the socio-economic development of the affected communities. He announced that the project would be reassessed and re-awarded, with construction expected to resume within one month.
“It will be an aberration for me as an Nsit son not to do the Enen Nsit Road,” the Governor said, adding that he remains committed to delivering tangible development to his constituency.
Governor Eno further directed the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service to constitute a committee, including representatives of civil society organisations, to evaluate previously awarded pothole rehabilitation contracts valued at N1.6 billion and identify additional sections requiring urgent attention.
He also warned that the state government would terminate contracts for the Tabernacle Road project and the 16-kilometre Midim–Atan–Ikot Nyang–Ikot Imonte Road, including its 30-metre bridge linking Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas, if contractors fail to meet completion deadlines set for July 2026.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, stated that the N743 billion investment reflects the administration’s determination to address longstanding infrastructure deficits and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Providing a breakdown of projects executed, Ibanga said the government has completed 41 inherited road projects spanning 341.359 kilometres, alongside 14 bridges. He added that this figure excludes 43 rural road projects covering 202.83 kilometres under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), funded by international development partners including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), with support from the state government.
He further disclosed that more than 94 ongoing road projects, covering 504.902 kilometres and incorporating 25 bridges, are being executed across the state, with eight designed as dual carriageways.
In addition to road construction, the Commissioner revealed that over 6,000 solar-powered streetlights have been installed under the first phase of a statewide initiative aimed at replacing generator-powered lighting systems. He noted that the intervention has reduced operational costs while improving road safety and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of public spaces.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, commended media practitioners for their continued support in promoting government policies and programmes. They reaffirmed that the ARISE Agenda remains the guiding framework for the administration’s development efforts.
The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, representatives of civil society organisations, and journalists.
