Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commissioned the 9.76Km Ikot Eyo-Edem Idim Okpot-Mbiekene-Nung Obong-Ikot Ntung-East West Road, with assurances of equitable distribution of projects across the State and due attention to the needs of Nsit Ubium people in the course of his administration.
Performing the inauguration of the road, which connects three neighbouring Local Government Areas of Eket, Esit Eket and Ibesikpo- Asutan, the Governor commended the patience and understanding of Nsit Ubium people with the administration’s spread of development projects across the State, assuring them that they will not regret their support as their interest will receive due attention.
Governor Eno commended the project contractor, Bulletine Construction Company Nigeria Ltd, for its diligence and adherence to timelines and going the extra mile to renovate the Ikot Eyo Community School and building a 3-bedroom bungalow for the principal as part of its corporate social responsibility.
He however, demanded appropriate reclamation of a potential gully erosion site that may threaten the durability of the new road.
The Governor assured the people that roads traversing the local government area have been captured in the 2025 budget for construction, and described his emergence as Governor as the best Akwa Ibom project for Nsit Ubium.
“In next year’s budget, we have made provision for the dualization of Nung-Udoe, Afaha Nsit road, and outfalls in Ibesikpo and Nsit Ubium. That road will have dual carriage way.
“We have also made provision intentionally for the development of Afaha Offiong, Itreto in Nsit Ubium upto Nsit Ibom.
“We need to open up that axis too so that we can improve commerce and traffic. We will keep doing what we can to touch the lives of our people at the grassroots as we develop our State,” the Governor stated.
Presenting an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, described the Governor’s intervention on the road as salvation to several Nsit Ubium communities, assuring that the 9.76 Km road, completed with a 60m span bridge and spurs at Luke Avenue, Ikot Mbat and Ndon Adiana has been built according to specification.
A plethora of Nsit Ubium stakeholders including the Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, former Speaker of Akwa State Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Woman Leader, Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Bassey, Paramount Ruler, Oku Ibom Ibibio.
Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, and the local government Chairman, Hon. Alfred Charles all affirmed that the road before the intervention, which has signalled great respite to the people, was a deathtrap to children during the rainy season.
They recalled that the sorry state of the road made farming, and trade difficult, and thanked the Governor for ensuring that the project was completed.
The Managing Director of Bulletine Construction Company, Chief Faysal Harb, in a vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the State Government for having confidence in his company and to the community for cooperating with his workers, assured that his company will leave up to expectation on any project given him to handle.