“We’ve fulfilled our promises to Akwa Ibom people” – Gov Eno boasts

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state, says his administration has fulfilled the promises made to residents during the 2023 election campaign and is ready to launch a new phase of development under the “Arise 2.0” agenda.

Speaking during his third anniversary address on Thursday, Eno said the achievements recorded by his administration over the past three years reflected the commitments outlined in his inaugural speech and campaign manifesto.

“Today, I make bold to state unequivocally, that we have ticked all the boxes and are rearing to do even more when, by the Grace of God, you return me for another four-year tour of duty next year,” he said.

The governor attributed the successes of his administration to the support of Akwa Ibom residents and the backing of President Bola Tinubu.

“Those promises we had made would not have been so successfully and so impactfully fulfilled without the support and encouragement of our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he said.

Eno said his administration had recorded major achievements in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, aviation, tourism and youth empowerment.

According to him, the government recently launched an oil palm revolution programme, an agricultural equipment leasing company and various interventions aimed at boosting food production.

“There is no local government today, that has not benefited from a completed project or has ongoing ones,” he said.

Eno added that the administration had either completed or commenced work on 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges across the state.

In the education sector, he said the government had sustained free and compulsory education, recruited 1,000 teachers and approved the recruitment of another 1,000. He also announced the upgrade of the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to a university of education.

The governor said the administration had recruited 2,854 medical personnel and enrolled more than 200,000 residents into the state health insurance scheme. He added that work was ongoing on a 350-bed Ibom International Hospital.

Eno also highlighted investments in tourism and aviation, including the Arise Palm Resort, the International Convention Centre, Ibom Hotels and the expansion of Ibom Air’s fleet.

“Ibom Air is working on commencing International Flights and this is a thing of joy for our State,” he said.

The governor said his administration inherited N111 billion in unpaid gratuities and other entitlements but had so far paid over N83 billion.

He added that more than N6 billion had been disbursed as grants to youths and farmers through various empowerment programmes.

Eno said the next phase of his administration, tagged Arise 2.0, would focus on completing 85 additional projects across different sectors of the economy.

“We have achieved the above, and in the next five years, with your support and by the Grace of God, we will work to complete the 85 other audacious projects that will change the landscape of development across sectors in our State,” he said.

As preparations begin for the 2027 elections, the governor urged political actors to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid politics of bitterness.

“I urge our people to play politics of ideas and not one of name-calling or character assassination. We have kept the peace in our State because no single life is worth shedding for anyone’s political ambition,” he stated.