AKWA IBOM GOVT RE-AWARDS 8.5KM NDUETONG OKU ROAD, APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF 2 OTHERS

By Umoh-Obong Kingsley

Akwa Ibom State Governor, in his determination to provide functional infrastructure to all parts of the state, to bolster industrial development as well as attract investors and improve the standard of living of the people, has approved the re-awarding of the 8.5km Nduetong Oku-Ibiaku Uruan Road in Uruan Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, made the disclosure to Government House Correspondents on Wednesday shortly after a meeting with members of the State Executive Council at the Government House, Uyo.

Mr Udoh stated that the state government, through the Ministry of Works, has also awarded contracts for the construction of 12.69km Ikot Akpan Abia-Enen Nsit Road which links Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Areas of the state; and 4.99km Ibesok-Okpokoro-Ikot Ebritam in Oruk Anam Local Government area.

The Information Boss also hinted that in agricultural sector, the facilities of the Akwa Prime Hatchery and Poultry in Ibiaku Uruan, which he said produced up to 10,000 day-old chicks, have been upgraded, adding that it reaffirms the commitment of the Udom-led government towards ensuring agriculture and food sufficiency.

He also disclosed that about N285 million was approved for cassava production growth as well as another N288 million for processing, all in the bid of the government towards agricultural production.

In the area of Education, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Victor Inoka, said that the first batch of the people in the modular schools have arrived the state and deployment will soon commence. He also announced that the Naval Secondary School in Ekparakwa and Command Science School in Efa have commenced operations.

Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Monday Ebong Uko, briefed the journalists on the achievement of the Ministry of Sports in the year gone by, and plans for the year 2018.

He gave part of the achievements to include the progress of work at the Eket Township Stadium which he said would be ready for commissioning during the Governor’s third in office anniversary, and the recent awards by the Federal Ministry of Sports to Akwa Ibom State in January as State with the Best Sporting Infrastructure; State with the Best Sports Development Programmes; and State with the Best Sports Supporting Programmes.

Mr Monday hinted that Akwa United FC went to Gambia and returned victoriously. According to him, the team will depart the state on Sunday for a match with the Libya team in Tunisia on March 6, 2018.

He further disclosed that Governor Emmanuel has approved the festival draw across the 31 local government areas of the state, and the draw, which will be presided by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, will take place on Thursday.

According to the Sports Commissioner, by Monday, the Minister of Sports will join Governor Emmanuel in the state to declare the Sports Festival open. The festival will last till 10 March with over 12,000 participants. The winner will go home with N10 million, second place goes with N5 million and N3 million for the third place.

As part of the deliberations, the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, Hon. Akan Okon, also hinted about the progress of work on the Four-Point by Sheraton Hotel, saying that the Ministry is working with the contractor to ensure that all items are provided and all major and minor works are carried so that the hotel is open for business in May this year.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for providing the funds to the Management of the hotel, which, according to him, has facilitated the progress of work.