Gov. ENO flags-off 16.5km road projects to link six LGAs

…announces enrollment for skills acquisition at DASAC

In line with his commitment to build a network of economically significant roads across Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has flagged off the construction of 8.6Km Ediene Abak-Ikot Ekan road, linking Abak, Etinan and Uyo Local Government Areas.

He also flagged-off the 7.9Km dual carriage Ring Road-3 extension to link the three LGAs of Uyo – through Idoro, Ikono – through Itak and Ibiono Ibom at the Ikot Ekpene Road axis to the existing Ring Road III.

Speaking at brief ceremonies which took place at Ikot Ekan in Etinan, and Idoro in Uyo, Governor Eno said government has mobilized for the construction of 20 economically viable roads across the State, adding that it remains committed to development projects that will fulfill the ARISE Agenda.

He noted that the Ring Road III is economically viable as it will create access to some investments of the State in the area, including the low- cost housing estate, Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre as well as open up the various farm communities.

Governor Eno said he wants the youths to be meaningfully-engaged, and announced that the State was ready to commence enrollment into the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, (DASAC) in Ikot Adaidem, Ibiono Ibom LGA.

The governor restated his commitment to ensuring that Akwa Ibom has the best road network in Nigeria, to allow people live and work in any part of the State.

He reassured that his administration is determined to reach every part of the state with live – touching development projects and sued for cooperation of the citizenry by creating an atmosphere of peace, stressing that no price should be seen as too much for peace.

According to him, “we are here this afternoon to flag-off Ring Road III extension. This road traverses three Local Government Areas. But the attraction for me is because we have a Housing Estate on this road. I visited this road and saw the beautiful Houses, but there was no road, it is like building a city in a jungle. So that spurred me to say let us open this road because when we open the road, those houses will sell at good rates and also enhance the economic activity of the area.

“These are the kind of roads we want to construct because Akwa Ibom must remain one of the states with the best road network in this country. From any local Government, you can reach Uyo within one hour, and that is what we are driving at. If there is any one we have not been able  to reach yet, we are coming”. Governor Eno said.

Speaking at the Ediene Abak-Ikot Ekan road flag-off ceremony, the governor credited his administration’s resolve to construct the road to an SOS video sent by pupils of St Patrick’s School in the area, who were stranded on a rainy day.

He stated that this was evidence of his government ‘s resolve to accommodate the interests of all categories of the citizenry in appreciation of their support for his emergence as governor.

In his words, “I give credit to some school children that sent me the video of this road. It was on a rainy day, they were in the rain, and on this road, they took the state of the road and sent to me. I forwarded the picture to the Commissioner for Works and I told him, because of this children, let’s do this road. So I want to thank those children that took the bold step and sent the pictures and what they inscribed on the picture was, “our dear Governor, please help us,” and that is how this road came to be.

“This shows that we listen to all strata of people. Once we know that what you are saying is genuine, we will listen to you,” he added.

He charged the contractors to ensure that they deliver according to specifications and expected time frame, while urging stakeholders in communities where projects are being executed to cooperate and support the contractors to enable them deliver accordingly.

Giving an overview of the projects, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, described the Ring Road III extension project as the completion of the road in accordance with the masterplan, explaining that the road will span 32.1metres, with 2metres walkway and drains throughout the 7.868Km length of the road, with a roundabout each at the Idoro and Ikot Ekpene ends.

The Commissioner said the Ediene Abak-Ikot Ekan road which crosses Uyo at Ikot Nsung is also designed to have drains through the 8.6Km length of the road, with an outfall drain at the lowest point of the road to ensure quick evacuation of water, adding that the road upon completion will enhance a network of the Abak-Uyo-Etinan axis and allow for ease of security and other services, as well as ensure the Saint Patrick School pupils access their school with ease during rainy season.

Leaders and stakeholders of the various communities including Federal and State Legislators, Transition Chairmen of the benefitting LGAs, Paramount Rulers and others celebrated Governor Umo Eno’s  commitment to the rural development aspiration of the ARISE Agenda and linking the economic nerve centres of the State with significant road projects.

In their separate remarks, the contracting firms for the Ediene Abak – Ikot Ekan road, and the Ring Road III, JP Sigma and Hensek Integrated Services Limited respectively, assured that the projects will be executed according to specifications and on time.