By Bisi Ezekiel
Pastor Umo Eno has in the past three years focused on consolidating the developmental achievements recorded by his predecessors, particularly his immediate predecessor and current President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Immediately after taking the oath of office, Governor Eno demonstrated strong determination to make his administration impactful across all sectors of the state’s economy and social life by building on the achievements of former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Within his first year in office, Pastor Eno took bold steps in infrastructure development with massive investments spanning roads, bridges, education and healthcare facilities across the state.
Governor Eno commissioned the Super Oil Mill in Abak Local Government Area and injected about ₦890 million into women cooperative societies to strengthen small-scale businesses and economic empowerment.
Within the same period, the Akwa Ibom International Airport commenced international flight operations, marking another milestone in the state’s aviation sector.
In the area of education, the Eno administration constructed the CSK Model Primary School and Government Model Primary School, both located in Ewet Offot, Uyo Local Government Area, while work is ongoing at the Mbiaso Model Primary School project.
His administration also approved ₦2 billion as grants for indigent university graduates to support education and youth empowerment.
As part of efforts to deepen the state’s economy, Governor Eno sought partnership with the Federal Government for the development of the Ibom Deep Seaport and an oil palm refinery project.
The governor also disbursed ₦400 million as business grants to entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State, while his administration provided ₦1.5 billion interest-free loans to traders across the state.
His government distributed free food items to vulnerable residents at Itam Central Market as part of measures aimed at reducing poverty and cushioning economic hardship.
Satisfied with the performance of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, Governor Eno assured that his administration would continue to support the airline to become one of the best carriers in the country.
Governor Eno also inaugurated additional aircraft into the fleet of Ibom Air and executed several projects at the Victor Attah International Airport.
The administration equally partnered with agricultural investors to strengthen Ibom Integrated Farms and collaborated with Bertola Company on mechanised farming initiatives.
Under his leadership, the Akwa Ibom State Government partnered with the Federal Housing Authority on affordable housing schemes while also constructing 100 housing units for the poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
Governor Eno committed substantial state resources to infrastructure development within his first 12 months in office, with projects spread across different local government areas.
His achievements in road infrastructure include the construction and commissioning of the Span Ide-Ikot Amba Bridge in Obot Akara Local Government Area, construction of official residences for local government chairmen, commissioning of the 3.3-kilometre Idua Road and the Afa Nsit reclamation project in Eket, as well as rehabilitation of the collapsed Afia Nsit Road in Eket Local Government Area and ongoing projects in Uyo and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas, including the re-award of the Nsit Atai/Okobo/Oron road project.
Other projects include the Uyo-Ewet gully reclamation and beautification project at Dominic Utuk Avenue, construction of the Ikit Itam-Mbiaya Road, development of the Anua Ifa Ikot Okop Housing Estate, construction of the Ring Road linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo, and the 16.5-kilometre road project designed to connect six local government areas.
The government also embarked on the construction of the 16-kilometre Midim-Atan Kot Inyang-Ikot Akpan Ekpeyong-Etok Uruk-Eshiet Ikot Imonte Road and a 30-metre span bridge in Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo, the construction of 11.71 kilometres of roads and a health centre in Obot Akara Local Government Area, construction of 11.71 kilometres of internal roads and two 15-metre span bridges in Obot Akara, construction of the 13.6-kilometre Orukim/Umanyesere Universal Energy Road in Mbo Local Government Area, construction and dualisation of the 13.5-kilometre Okopedi-Oron Road from the East-West Road Phase II, and ongoing projects at the Dakada Luxury Estate along Airport Road, Uyo.
Governor Eno’s administration also approved intervention measures to improve facilities at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Uyo.
The governor partnered with the Nigerian Navy to strengthen maritime security, leading to the launch of 14 gunboats to boost security along waterways, while other security agencies also received financial support and operational equipment from the state government.
Governor Eno also addressed the challenges facing the Ibom Power Plant, which had suffered years of operational difficulties and declining efficiency.
Recognising the importance of stable electricity supply to his economic agenda, particularly at a time the Federal Government had relaxed control over independent power generation, the governor moved to reposition the plant for improved productivity.
The Ibom Power Plant located in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area remains one of the first independent power plants in Nigeria and obtained operational licence from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in 2008.
Pastor Umo Eno has recorded remarkable achievements in the development of Akwa Ibom State without resorting to either internal or external borrowing.
Under Governor Eno’s leadership, Akwa Ibom has remained one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, with increasing political harmony among major political parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The administration has also played a major role in reuniting ethnic, social and political interests within the state, bringing an end to the era of politically-motivated violence, kidnappings and killings.
Governor Eno attributed the prevailing peace and unity in the state to the grace of God, mutual love and the cooperation of the people, while urging citizens to continue promoting peace, unity and mutual respect irrespective of political affiliations.
“Whatever we have achieved is by the grace and faithfulness of God and through the cooperation of our people.
“For me, the greatest achievement is not all the projects captured in documentaries, but the peace God has brought to Akwa Ibom State. That remains my greatest achievement.
“As elder statesman, Otuekong Don Etiebet, rightly observed, there was a time people could hardly gather openly because of political divisions.
“People could not freely attend family events for fear of being accused of anti-party activities.
“We were made to believe wisdom existed only in one political party, but wisdom resides in all Akwa Ibom people regardless of party affiliation.
“I thank God today that we can all sit together, discuss issues collectively and contribute to governance while seeing political parties only as vehicles for elections.
“Whoever God brings becomes governor for all the people and must unite the state.
“We must continue to support one another and reject the winner-takes-all mentality by learning to work together in unity,” the governor stated.
Governor Eno has remained an amiable political leader who appreciates the foundations laid by his predecessors and acknowledges their contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State.
It is therefore not surprising that elder statesman, Otuekong Don Etiebet, described Governor Eno as a phenomenon, a spiritually-minded and enigmatic leader divinely positioned to serve Akwa Ibom State at a critical period in its history.
The Eno administration has also made significant impact across virtually every sector of the state, particularly in healthcare delivery.
In recognition of his efforts in the health sector, the governor was presented with the National Health Ambassador Award by the National President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Ozundara Tope-Zenith.
To further strengthen healthcare delivery, Governor Eno said his administration was committed to developing medical tourism infrastructure and expressed readiness to sign an agreement for the establishment of a state-of-the-art international hospital to be handled by a Turkish construction company.
Governor Eno also explained that his decision to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress was aimed at positioning Akwa Ibom State within the mainstream progressive family and supporting the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor noted that this informed his endorsement of President Tinubu as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for 2027 as well as support for automatic return tickets for the four incumbent APC governors in the region.
Governor Eno further stressed that his administration remains committed to its inclusive governance philosophy known as the “Akwa Ibom United” policy, which promotes development beyond political divisions and encourages unity in the collective service of the people.
By Bisi Ezekiel
