For vulnerable households in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, relief came in the form of 7,000 bags of staple food items as the Akwa Ibom State Government commenced the fourth phase of its ARISE Free Food Distribution Programme, aimed at cushioning the impact of prevailing economic challenges.

The intervention, implemented under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Food Security Programme, is part of the administration’s broader social support efforts to promote the welfare of vulnerable citizens across the state.

Beneficiaries drawn from the 10 wards of Urue Offong/Oruko converged at the Council Secretariat, where they received bags of rice and beans through the State Social Register, which provides the framework for identifying eligible beneficiaries.

Leading the distribution team, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, accompanied by the General Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, said the exercise reflected the Governor’s commitment to strengthening food security and providing relief to residents in need.

She explained that beneficiaries were selected through the State Social Register to ensure transparency and accountability, adding that the process guarantees that support reaches the intended recipients.

“This is possible because we have a Governor who genuinely cares about the welfare of his people,” she said, while encouraging beneficiaries to continue supporting the administration’s programmes and policies.

Also monitoring the exercise, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, described the initiative as a demonstration of Governor Umo Eno’s people-centred and compassionate leadership style.

He commended the Governor for increasing the allocation of food items to each local government area from 5,000 to 7,000 bags, noting that the fourth phase of the programme will see a total of 217,000 bags of rice and beans distributed across the 31 local government areas of the state.

The Commissioner added that the intervention reinforces the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and providing support for citizens facing economic challenges.

Earlier, the Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Uno Etim Uno, commended Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the humanitarian initiative, describing it as a practical demonstration of compassionate leadership and concern for vulnerable citizens.

He expressed the appreciation of the people of the local government area and assured the Governor of their continued support and loyalty to his administration.

Stakeholders from Okobo Local Government Area also witnessed the orderly distribution exercise and commended the transparency and organisation of the programme, describing it as another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable citizens benefit from its social intervention initiatives.

Expressing their appreciation, beneficiaries including Affiong Okon, Arit John Udo, Nkoyo Effiong Uso, Mary John Okon, and Victor Okon Iyanam, thanked Governor Umo Eno for extending support to vulnerable households through the ARISE Free Food Distribution Programme.

They described the initiative as timely and impactful, pledging their continued support for the administration while praying for God’s guidance and blessings upon the Governor.