Governor Umo Eno Reaffirms Commitment to Rural Water Access, Commissions Arise Water Project in Ikot Ebo Ikono. …Commend Uduak Inwang for giving back to his community 

By Ifiok Itiaba

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing safe drinking water to rural communities with the commissioning of the Arise Water Project in Ikot Ebo, Ikono, Uyo Local Government Area on Saturday.

Represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Ubuo Ubuo, the Governor stated that the government is keen on delivering water to rural areas—a mission spearheaded by the Akwa Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (AK-RUWATSAN).

Governor Eno commended the project initiator, Mr. Uduak Inwang, for giving back to his community, noting that access to safe drinking water would help reduce waterborne diseases.

He called on other well-meaning individuals to partner with the government in providing essential amenities and charged the youth of Ikot Ebo Ikono to take ownership and protect the project from vandalism.

“The strength of every community lies in the youth,” he said, emphasizing the need to safeguard the facility.

Giving an overview of the project, Engr. Itoro Atakpa, wife of the initiator, explained that it was conceived to address pressing challenges in the community.

She highlighted residents’ difficulties, including traveling long distances and paying significant costs to charge phones or buy water.

“To address these, the project includes a 150-foot borehole and two 644-watt bifacial solar panels that power a pump, moving water to a 5,000-liter overhead tank. The system supplies multiple output points: three public outlets for community use, as well as private connections to the Qua Iboe Church pastor’s residence and a relative’s home”.

In his remarks, Mr. Uduak Inwang, Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Marketing and Social Media, described the community as peaceful and thanked the village council for their support.

He stated that water is a human right and expressed gratitude to the Governor for the privilege to serve, which enabled him to give back. He added that the project’s location followed community consultation to ensure broad benefit, and that an attendant would be paid to manage it.

Inwang also solicited continued support for Governor Umo Eno, urging community members to register and be ready to re-elect the Governor in 2027.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Village Head, Etteidung Samuel Mose Udoh, thanked the Governor for remembering Ikot Ebo Ikono and appointing their sons into his administration.

He praised Uduak Inwang for his consistent goodwill, even before his appointment, and noted that the project would ease the suffering of those who previously traveled to Urua Mkpafi to charge phones or struggled to access affordable water. He also used the occasion to solicit for transformer the community.

In his goodwill message, the Secretary of Uyo Local Government Council, Ubong Udofia, applauded Inwang for being deliberate in providing for his community and for returning home to make a difference.

The event also featured the formal handover of a Community Phone Charging Station, another component of the initiative designed to reduce the burden and cost of charging mobile phones for residents.