Vows to turn around primary schools infrastructure, empower 400 female youths
Ernest Udoh-Robert
Keeping in line with his commitment in developing and opening up rural communities for socio-economic activities, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno on Thursday, 16th May 2024, inaugurated a 60 meters span Nto Ide – Ikot Amba Bridge with 800 meters approaching roads.
Pastor Eno who was obviously elated at the warm appreciation from the people of Obot Akara, announced his readiness to construct the Mbiaso bridge and announced Seyang Limited a Civil Engineering and Construction Company as the company to undertake the project. He opined that the excellent quality of work executed by the Company, including the warm disposition of the community towards the organisation, is an added credence to the organisation.
The Governor affirmed that hitherto he had some concerns about the capacity of the new Chief Executive Officer CEO of Seyang, Eng. Itorobong Inyang stepping into his father’s great legacy, but his doubt has been doused with the quality of job he has seen. He appreciated Mr Itorobong Inyang for not disappointing him and for keeping his father and mother’s legacy alive.
The number one citizen of the state applauded the pupils of St. Patrick Catholic School Nto Ide’s musical performance. The pupils who were spectacular in their immaculate uniforms earned both accolades and some pleasant of love by His Excellency to the school. Nobody saw it coming. Like some angelic announcement, he directed that the school be given a facelift, which would include the following: a well equipped computer laboratory, a staff quarters, perimeter fencing and as well as equipped class room blocks.
Moreover, as all the buildings would be pulled down, the Governor further directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sport to locate a place where the pupils will stay for the continuation of their term pending the three months that construction will take place.
in the same vein he instructed the Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship to work with the leadership of the female youth groups to select one hundred (100) persons from each of the female youths for training in any skills of their choice as the empowerment package for the beneficiaries would raised from N500,000.00 to N750, 000.00 for each of the nominees.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service Prof. Enobong Ibanga attested to the quality of the bridge and the road. He assured all that the road was built to stand the test of time. He appreciated the Governor for completing the project that was started by his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Monday Uko (Monty), an indigene of Obot Akara and former chairman of the Local Government area on behalf of all other stakeholders appreciated the ex Governor for not abandoning the project but taking it headlong to ensure it was completed .
According to Mr Uko the only way the people will show gratitude would be in the 2027 election as there would be one hundred per cent vote cast for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the people of Obot Akara. He went further to assure the Governor that there will be no need for him to come for campaign for the 2027 election. He however mentioned three other places in the Loacal Government area that were equally yearning for bridges.
The Transition chairman of Obot Akara, Mr Anietie Ibiritam, while welcoming the Governor, said that the project was a fulfillment of the promise made by the His Excellency Governor Umo Eno when he came for campaign in 2023. And that as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda , the road would open up social and economic activities between Essien Udim, Aba and Obot Akara.
While describing the Governor as a worthy ambassador of the PDP, the state chairman , Mr Aniekan Akpan urged the people to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise of the party, so that no one would be left behind.
An indigene of the community and immediate past PDP Ward Chairman, Mr Ukat speaking with WatchmanPost, said that, in 2019 when Mr Udom Emmanuel came to the community to campaign they had appealed to him to construct a bridge at Ikot Amba because of the untold hardship the people were going through. He thanked God that in his life time he is seeing the fulfillment of a dream.
In his thank you message.
the Managing Director of Seyang Construction Company Mr Itorobong Inyang succinctly captured the symbolism of the project when he said the project has transformed the people from the state of lamentations to jubilation and thanked the governor for making it happen.
The event was witnessed by members of the community both young and old who had waited for so long to get this life enhancing project. Therefore, this road was a prayer answered.
