Tracking the Akwa Ibom infrastructural development

In his 2019 manifesto tagged “Phase 2: Master plan for 2019-2023” also known as the “Completion Agenda,” Governor Udom Emmanuel mapped out eight areas to focus the efforts of his administration on. They are anchored on industrialisation, aviation development, rural and riverine area development, agricultural, human capacity development, security, infrastructure, small and medium scale enterprises.

While giving his inaugural speech for the commencement of his second term, Emmanuel said “One of the key drivers of economy the world over is the provision of modern infrastructural facilities. We will pursue this policy with messianic zeal. In my First Term, we were able to construct over 1000 kilometres of road across the State and opened up the hinterlands for free -flow of goods and services. We will surpass this achievement with emphasis on commercially-viable roads. We will continue to invest heavily in the power sector, well aware of the importance of having steady electricity supply in our industrialisation agenda. We hope to work towards having power for all in our Completion Agenda.” This article takes a look into how Udom has fulfilled his promises in terms of infrastructural development in the state.

According to the February 2021 Press Release of the World Bank,“85 million Nigerians don’t have access to grid electricity. This represents 43% per cent of the country’s population and makes Nigeria the country with the largest energy access deficit in the world. The lack of reliable power is a significant constraint for citizens and businesses, resulting on annual economic losses estimated at $26.2 billion (₦10.1 trillion) which is equivalent to about 2 per cent of GDP. According to the 2020 World Bank Doing Business report, Nigeria ranks 171 out of 190 countries in getting electricity and electricity access is seen as one of the major constraints for the private sector.’’ This report underscores the importance of the role of provision and constant supply of electricity in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Rapid industrialisation, improved standard of living, sustainable economic growth, steady decline in rate of unemployment and poverty are the results that flow from steady access to quality and reliable electricity. The Udom Emmanuel led administration is committed to improving power supply in Akwa Ibom, hence, the massive electrification projects it has undertaken.

Some of the notable projects are the construction of 2 X 5 MVA, 3/11 KV Injection sub-station, in Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo; the construction of 2 X 15 MVA Injection sub-station at Victor Attah International Airport, construction of 2 X 60 MVA 132/33 KV Power sub-station at Ekim, Mkpat Enin. Also, the administration has carried out the rehabilitation of facilities of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution company in Etim Ekpo, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Ekene, Ikot Abasi Ekpu, the installation of 1 X 60 MVA, 132/33 KV Transmission Sub-station in Afaha Ube, Itam. Furthermore, it carried out the extension of public power supply through dedicated 33 KV line which runs from Tropicana mall to Victor Attah International Airport, the extension of public power supply through dedicated 33 KV line to the Infectious Disease Control/Isolation Centre, Methodist Hospital, Ituk Mbang as well as the installation of street lights in the state capital, Uyo.

Road infrastructure plays a crucial role in the economic development and growth of any society. Roads are akin to arteries through which the economy pulses. By linking producers to markets, workers to jobs, students to school and the sick to hospitals, roads are vital to any development agenda. In addition, providing access to employment, social, health and education services makes a road network crucial in fighting against poverty. Roads open up more areas and stimulate economic and social development. For these reasons and many more, road infrastructure is one the most important of public assets of a government. This is a fact that Emmanuel understands hence the importance he places on road infrastructure.

Road construction has been done on a massive scale in the administration. Some of the road projects include the completion of the dualised Uyo- Ikot Ekpene Raod, the construction of 6.4km Nto Edino-Ekwere Azu road with 2 No 45m span bridges in Obot Akara LGA. Going on in the same local government is the construction of the Nto Ide-Ikot Aruba Bridge with 80m Approach Road. One of the local residents had this to say about the project “People lost their lives because of the bad bridge and road. People used to fall off the bridge. Access to the nearest hospital from Ubon Akwa and Abak Ukpom was not possible because of this bad bridge. The bridge was a menace for the people of Obot Akara, but now, we are very hopeful that the construction of a new bridge for us will be a successful one. God will bless Governor Udom for this single act he has taken in Obot Akara today”

Another noteworthy road project in Ikono Local Government is construction of 21.5km Ikot Anyan Ediene Ikot Ntia- Urua Nara-Ikot Nseyen Nkwot Nung Ukim Road with 45m spar bridge. As regards this project, a local resident said “This road was very bad. It was not motor able. We had to find alternative routes and bush trucks to get to other places. The importance of this new road is that merchants from our community that were not able to travel to Ikot Ekpene will now be able to use this road to travel for their business. More developments will be ushered into our community because of this new road. Our Governor is a promise keeper. It’s not too long ago that he promised us this road, and now, it has come to manifest. May God bless our Governor.”

The Emmanuel administration has also completed the dualisation of the 29km Etinan- Ndon Eyo road with bridges and spur from Mbioto Ekpene Ituen to Ikot Abasi Ishiet junction, the dualisation of the 23.4km Etinan- Eket Road, the dualisation of the 19.5km Eket- Ibeno Road, with bridges, dualisation of the 9.5km Ring Road 3(from Aka Road-Oron Road-Nwaniba Road with Round Abouts), dualisation of the 3.32km Ring Road 2(from Abak Road- Akan Road by Udo Udoma Roundabout) as well as the construction of 14.1km Odoro Ikpe/Ikot Nkon Obotme Arochukwu Road with 110m span bridge located in Ini local government. Speaking on the immense impact of the project, a local resident said: “Udom’s government has done well by constructing this road for us. We used to suffer with the bad road we had. It was very challenging for us to transport our farm produce to the market. We used to carry cassava bags on our head and walk down to the market because the road was not motorable, and we couldn’t find motorcycles, so we moved by walking to and fro every day. But now, Governor Udom has given us a new road, and we are happy for the road he has done for us, and now, we can find cars and motorcycles that we can enter to and fro the market.”

Furthermore, the administration has undertaken the construction of 19km Etebi-Enwang road in Esit Eket and Mbo local governments, the construction of a 12.742km Awa Iman-Asong-Ikot Edim-Ikot Emem road in Onna and Mkpat Enin Local governments, the construction of a 19.317km Anua-Mbak-Ishiet road as well as the construction of 15km Ikot Akpan Afaha-Ikot Oku Usng road in Ukanafun local government and the expansion of the Oron Road from Ring 3 to Victor Attah International Airport Road. The Akwa Ibom State University has also being a beneficiary of the administration with the construction of internal roads in its Obio Akpa campus, and environs. Included also is the completion of the State Secretariat Annex in Uyo (otherwise known as Dakkada Secretariat). Speaking on the impact of the project, Mrs Glory Essien, head of Department, Labour, Ministry of Labour and Man Power Planning said: “As at then, it was a den of robbers …a lot of ugly things used to happen. In fact, people used to isolate this area completely because it was a dangerous zone. But now, it is a beautiful place, it is now being used by civil servants. It is the good work of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Governor Gabriel Emmanuel Udom.”

The last seven years of the present administration has been one in which the government has consistently delivered on the dividends of democracy. Just as path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day, the indigenes of Akwa Ibom State can look forward to a better and brighter future in the last one year of Emmanuel’s administration.