39 PROJECTS FOR AKWA IBOM’S 39TH ANNIVERSARY: TRULY UNPRECEDENTED

39 PROJECTS FOR AKWA IBOM’S 39TH ANNIVERSARY: TRULY UNPRECEDENTED

A Sector-by-Sector Look at the Projects

By Solomon Essiet

Akwa Ibom State has rolled out a month-long programme to mark the 39th anniversary of its creation, with 39 projects scheduled for commissioning across different parts of the state.

The anniversary, themed “GRATITUDE”, draws from Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Beyond the ceremonies, the programme provides an opportunity to take stock of the state’s development and the projects delivered under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.

According to a public notice signed by the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Prince Enobong Uwah, the commissioning exercise will run from September 1 to September 30, 2026.

The projects cut across roads, education, healthcare, youth development, aviation, public infrastructure and social intervention programmes.

A major part of the anniversary programme is the expected visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is scheduled to commission a number of major projects during his stay in the state.

Roads and Infrastructure

Road construction accounts for a significant portion of the projects lined up for commissioning.

On September 3, the 6.475-kilometre road network in Amanyam Community is scheduled for commissioning, followed on September 9 by the 2.1-kilometre internal and main access road at Obong University.

The 5.5-kilometre Udo Inwang Road and erosion-control facilities at the Udo Inwang gully site in Uyo are scheduled for September 10.

Other road projects include the 1.35-kilometre main access and internal roads leading to Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited on September 12; the 3.09-kilometre Ikot Essien-Ikot Uyo Road in Nsit Atai on September 19; and the 2.07-kilometre Itu-Urua Ekpa Road, together with a 1.4-kilometre discharge drain, on September 20.

On September 21, attention moves to Onna Local Government Area for the commissioning of 14.8 kilometres of internal roads and spurs in Awa, supported by 1.9 kilometres of discharge drains.

The 4.12-kilometre internal road network and outfall drain in the Government Reserved Area of Ikot Ekpene is scheduled for September 22, while the 9.72-kilometre internal road network at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium will follow on September 25.

One of the largest road projects on the schedule comes on September 29: the 10.83-kilometre Mkpat Enin-Ikot Ekpe-Ikot Afang-Ikot Umiang-Mbioto-Efa Road, including a spur to Ikot Enyienge and a 30-metre bridge.

Education

Six model primary school projects are also included in the anniversary programme.

The Model Primary School in Nsit Atai is scheduled for September 5, followed by another in Obot Akara on September 7.

The Methodist Model Primary School at Nkari in Ini Local Government Area will be commissioned on September 11, while the Model Primary School in Etim Ekpo is scheduled for September 18.

Ikot Ekpene will host another commissioning on September 26, with the Model Primary School at Ikot Ekpene Udo following on September 27.

The spread of these projects shows the administration’s effort to put basic education infrastructure closer to communities rather than concentrating development in the state capital.

Healthcare

Primary healthcare is another important part of the anniversary schedule.

The Primary Health Centre at Ikot Uboh in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area is scheduled for commissioning on September 2.

The Model Primary Health Centre in Abak follows on September 6, while the Model Health Centre in Esit Eket is scheduled for September 8.

On September 18, the Primary Health Centre at Ikot Osute in Oruk Anam Local Government Area will also be inaugurated.

For many rural communities, investments at this level of healthcare can be particularly important because primary health centres are usually the first point of contact for residents seeking medical attention.

Youth and Social Development

The ARISE Youth Development Centres constitute another major group of projects.

The centre in Ikono is scheduled for commissioning on September 4, followed by Etinan on September 13, Nsit Ubium on September 15 and Nsit Atai on September 16.

Etim Ekpo’s centre will be commissioned on September 24, while Uruan will close the month-long exercise with its own ARISE Youth Development Centre on September 30.

ARISE Compassionate Homes are also scheduled for commissioning on September 11 and September 17, reflecting the administration’s social intervention programme for vulnerable residents.

Aviation and Other Major Activities

The anniversary programme begins on September 1 with the official reception and water-cannon ceremony for a brand-new Airbus A220-300 at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.

Other events include the closing ceremony of the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival on September 12 and the unveiling and groundbreaking for the proposed International Market in Ikot Ekpene on September 14.

The 39th Anniversary Interdenominational Service is scheduled for September 20, while a visit to the State Traditional Rulers’ Council and the State Anniversary Banquet will take place on September 23.

Another project listed for September 28 is the Chairman’s Residence in Essien Udim.

Projects Listed for Presidential Commissioning

Nine strategic projects have been identified for commissioning during President Tinubu’s expected visit.

They are:

– International Airport Hospital at Victor Attah International Airport
– International Terminal Building, including the 3.8-kilometre parallel taxiway, new apron and 1.8-kilometre access road
– Aviation Village at Victor Attah International Airport
– 14.5-kilometre Airport-Okopedi Road across Nsit Atai and Okobo LGAs
– 7.868-kilometre Ring Road 3 across Uyo and Ibiono Ibom LGAs
– Command and Control Centre
– Governor’s Office Annex
– AkwaGIS Building
– ARISE Palm Resort

Taken together, the projects show the breadth of the infrastructure programme being showcased during the anniversary. Roads form the largest visible component, but the inclusion of schools, health centres, youth facilities, aviation infrastructure and social housing gives the programme a wider developmental character.

Committing 39 projects to commissioning during Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary is also symbolic. More importantly, residents will judge the programme by how well these facilities work after the ceremonies are over, how widely their benefits are felt and how effectively they are maintained.

For supporters of Governor Umo Eno, however, the anniversary provides an opportunity to point to tangible projects across several sectors as evidence of the administration’s performance under the ARISE Agenda.

As Akwa Ibom celebrates 39 years of statehood, September will therefore be more than a month of ceremonies. It will also be a month in which the administration places its record before the people, project by project and community by community.

Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State