By | Ukara Effiong
Infrastructural and human capital development are key pillars in the delivery of any effective governance template, especially for the connectivity between the two and the attendant impact that comes with the matrix.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has been strategic in advancing both aspects of development since assuming office.
All the projects embarked upon by his administration are not only interconnected but also deliberately targeted at engaging unemployed youths and building their capacity.
The ARISE Palm Resort, an emerging world-class tourist attraction with full recreational facilities, is designed to complement the Victor Attah International Airport that will convey visitors and tourists from across the world to the resort. Hence, the airport’s upgrade to international status.
Beyond the resort, Governor Eno has renovated the prestigious Ibom Plaza to meet modern standards. Ibom Plaza now stands out as one of Akwa Ibom’s finest tourist sites, reflecting the Governor’s visionary touch.
Governor Umo Eno’s intentional approach to infrastructural and human capital development is indeed laudable. He is not just building roads and other life-touching facilities, he is deliberately connecting the dots.
Governor Eno has also opened up new roads across the state to ease the movement of goods and farm produce from the rural communities. He has also fixed several deplorable roads within Uyo Capital City and its environs. The importance of good road infrastructure cannot be overstated.
The roads constructed by this administration will enhance agricultural revolution, and boost rural development which is foremost on the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Governor Eno remains committed to visible development. He has kept his campaign promises by connecting the dots in both infrastructural and human capital development.
During one of his campaign interviews, the Governor stated:
“The ARISE agenda seeks to connect the dots. I keep using the words – connecting the dots. Infrastructure is everywhere. We need to put them together to begin to have economic benefits. For instance, we have the Ibom Air. It flies into Akwa Ibom State and brings in people.
When people fly into our state, what are they coming to do? We need to develop our tourism sector. So we need to ensure that when we scale up tourism people can come in and we can earn income. So that is connecting those dots. At the airport, we have the new terminal building. We have an MRO. So aircraft come in and can be maintained in the facility and we earn foreign exchange.
We are planning to add a cargo terminal so that as Ibom Air increases its fleet and begins to do regional flights we can begin to move cargo – export agricultural products or whatever we are able to produce here. That is connecting those dots. In effect, you are building on what your predecessor has done. So your vision is to scale up what he has done.”
Entrepreneurial development, a critical component of human capital development, is another key area the Governor Eno-led administration has invested hugely on. Trainees at Ibom-LED now produce school bags and sandals for school pupils, thereby complementing the new model schools built by the state government. This is yet another practical demonstration of connecting the dots.
Many young people have been empowered by the state government to establish their own businesses.
Small scale business owners have also been empowered with relevant equipment that will enhance their productivity in their line of trade.
Students sponsored by the state government to Aviation School are expected to return upon completion of their studies to work in the internationally upgraded State-owned Airline.
Akwa Ibom is fast emerging as a preferred destination of choice for investors and tourists as the 200-room Tropicana Hotel designed to complement the Ibom International Convention Centre and Shopping City is underway.
Governor Eno has also unveiled plans to transform the reclaimed Uyo Village refuse dump-site into a Government Residential Area (GRA) and Creative Village. This lofty vision will address housing deficit in the state and mitigate the gully erosion menace within the area.
The Ewet Offot Luxury Estate project, alongside other developing estates, will further improve the living standards of the people.
When Governor Eno declared his intention to connect the dots, it was not a mere vain electoral promise. It was a clear statement of purpose and he is steadily translating the VISION into REALITY.
