GOV. UMO ENO FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF 11 KM AKS-RAAMP DEMONSTRATION ROAD COVERING OWOT UTA-NUNG OKU EKERE-AFAHA UDO EYOP – EDEBOM 1 BY EKPONWA MARKET ROADS .
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, today flagged off the 11km road construction project in Nsit Ibom LGA and Ibesikpo Asutan LGA. The project covers Owot Uta, Nung Oku, Ekere, Afaha Udo Eyop -Edebom 1 by Ekponwa Market Road and directly links Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom Local Government Areas.
The project being a twelve month contract agreement is executed through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) of the State Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with World Bank.
Performing the flag off exercise at Edebom 1 by Ekponwa Market in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Governor Umo Eno reaffirmed the commitment of his administration towards undertaking economic significant projects to fast track development in the state. He disclosed that his leadership will do its best towards the implementation of live touching programs as encapsulated in the Arise Agenda.
Gov Umo appreciated the World bank and managers of Raamp for the working partnership and for embracing the Arise Agenda mantra. The Governor noted that upon completion of the agricultural viable project, the access road will directly impact the productivity of farmers as well as help in the movement of farm produce from the farm to urban areas, the market and other locations, boosting the economy of the state. Gov Eno called on farmers to take advantage of the ongoing data capturing at the Department of Agricultural Investment in AKICORP and the opportunities available in Ibom Fadama Microfinance Bank. The Governor called on members of the public to be careful of unscrupulous persons involved in illegal sales of the Agricultural Investment data capturing forms and report same to the appropriate quarters as the form is completely free of charge.
Speaking further, the Governor disclosed that the State Executive Council will be constituted within the month and upon Inauguration will be committed in providing an enabling environment for farmers through the availability of grants and soft loans to help boost production and support distribution of farm produce.
Welcoming the guests to the event, the Chairman Nsit Ibom Local Government Council, Deaconess (Hon.) Oto Aaron accompanied by her colleague, Hon. (Mrs.) Akon Michael, Chairman Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area appreciated the Governor’s kind consideration in the development of the Area pledging thier support towards the completion of the project.
In a brief overview of the project, the State Coordinator RAAMP, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Gideon Akpan disclosed that about seven years ago, the State Government expressed interest with the World Bank to join the Rural Access Agricultural marketing project. He expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his approval of the demonstration road and for taking over the project which also involves the Ekpo Nwa market as contained in the Arise Agenda of His Excellency and ensuring that work begins immediately. Mr. Akpan noted that the project houses two major components, the road construction and the Agro logistic hubs. The State coordinator went further to disclosed that there are about 130km of roads for ungrading, 334km already designed and 80m cross drainage structure ready for procurement and implementation within the next three months under the RAAMP World Bank project which cuts across the 31 LGAs of the state. Mr. Gideon pray God to provide strength and resources to the Governor as he kickstart and complete the project successful.
Also speaking, the World Bank representative, Prof. Babagana Mohammed, commended Pastor Umo Eno for taking great interest in Agricultural development, Rural development and Infrastructure as contained in his Arise Agenda. He described Pastor Umo Eno as a man with great leadership capacity to transform the state and bring about Agricultural revolution. Prof. Mohammed noted that research has shown clearly that about 30-35 agricultural produce are lost due to poor road infrastructure but upon completion of the project, these gaps will be completely eliminated. The world bank representative applauded the women of Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom Local Government for their demonstration through their farm produce display and reaffirmed the commitment of World Bank and RAAMP towards the completion of the project.
In a remark, Engr. Charles Obongoh, representative of the National Coordinator RAAMP commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for embracing the project and assured the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno of progress and proper execution of RAAMP projects within the state. Engr. Charles called on farmers to embrace the project, defend and protect it as RAAMP projects are mainly for farmers. The RAAMP National Coordinator scored Governor Umo Eno high on his performance so far in less than 100 days in office and prayed God to strengthen the Governor to do more.
In a goodwill message, delivered by the member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan and the member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Hon. Ubong Attah, both members of the state assembly applauded Govenor Umo Eno for flagging off the project and assured His Excellency of their cooperation towards the completion of the project.
Governor Umo Eno was accompanied by his Deputy, Sen Akon Eyakenyi, Deputy Speaker, AKHA, Rt. Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem, State House of Assembly members, Secretary to the State Government Prince Enobong Uwah, Head of Civil Service, Local Government Chairmen and other top government functionaries.
English