AKSG moves to prevent future flooding at Arise Palm Resort
●Govt approves N900m yearly for tourism facilities’ maintenance
The Akwa Ibom State Government has taken measures to prevent any future flooding at the Arise Palm Resort, built on a former erosion site.
Commissioner of Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, disclosed this yesterday during a Ministerial Media Briefing in Uyo, saying the government was constructing a water carriageway from the resort to link up with major flood-control works in Ibesikpo.
Umanah was responding to a question on the possibility of future flooding at the resort.
The briefing, which featured the Ministries of Youth Development, Culture and Tourism, was part of an ongoing series of engagements between the state government and the media on the achievements of ministries under the administration of Governor Umo.
Giving an account of his ministry’s achievements, Commissioner of Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Paul Ekanem, said the ministry, established in 2024, had undertaken various programmes aimed at empowering young people, including digital skills development, the Arise Youth Skills Week, youth entrepreneurship, leadership development and policy initiatives.
Ekanem disclosed that 7,000 youths had been employed into the state civil service, while 2,300 youth leaders had been screened to ascertain their eligibility for leadership positions in their respective communities.
He also said the government had increased the bursary payable to each student from N20,000 to N50,000 as part of efforts to support youths through education.
On tourism development, Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia, said the ministry was driven by the philosophy of making tourism an all-inclusive asset for the state.
He disclosed that renovation work was ongoing at the Ibom Icon Hotel in Uruan, while hotels across the state were being registered and licensed to ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
According to Udofia, the state government had approved more than N900 million annually for the maintenance of tourism facilities.
“More than N900 million is approved annually for the maintenance of tourism facilities, including golf courses, Unity Park, Ibom Plaza, Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort,” he said.
Udofia also disclosed that the Ibom International Hotel and Convention Centre was nearing completion, while further development work was ongoing at Unity Park.
He listed the projects at the park to include expansion of walkways, construction of Ibom Kitchen and additional toilet facilities, installation of a sub-power station and renovation of its museum.
The commissioner further disclosed that the government had approved the comprehensive renovation of the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort.
The Ministerial Media Briefing is coordinated by the Ministry of Information and forms part of a series of engagements through which commissioners present the achievements and activities of their respective ministries under the Eno administration.
