We’ve delivered 1,300km roads, paid over N83bn gratuity backlog – Gov Eno

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Gov Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.

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By Uko Etim

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UYO — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said his administration has delivered on the core promises of the Arise Agenda in the last three years, citing 1,300km of roads and payment of over N83 billion in gratuity backlog as parts of the achievements.

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Speaking during his 3rd Anniversary Speech at Government House on Friday in Uyo, the governor, who is also the APC governorship candidate for 2027, declared: “Today, I make bold to state unequivocally, that we have ticked all the boxes and are rearing to do even more when, by the Grace of God, you return me for another four-year tour of duty next year.”

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Eno said his government has “commissioned, or have ongoing 1,300km of economically viable roads with 40 bridges” across the 31 local government areas, adding that there is no LGA today without a completed or ongoing project.

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In agriculture, he said the administration launched the Oil Palm Tree Crop Revolution to restore the state’s position as a leading producer, alongside an Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to give farmers subsidized access to machinery.

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He disclosed that 2 billion naira in grants, farm implements and seedlings have been distributed, while Ibom Model Farms and LGA farms are ongoing.

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On workers’ welfare, the governor said his government met a backlog of N111 billion in gratuities and pensions since 2012 and has “paid over 83 billion naira of the backlogs”, with a commitment to liquidate the rest before the end of his first term.

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He also announced payment of bursaries to tertiary students, grants to state-owned institutions, recruitment of 1,000 teachers with another 1,000 approved, and the upgrade of Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit to a University of Education.

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In healthcare, Eno said Primary Health Centres across all 31 LGAs have been commissioned or are ongoing, 2,854 medical personnel recruited, and over 200,000 persons enrolled in the state medical insurance scheme, noting that Work has also commenced on the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital.

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The governor said the achievements were made possible by reforms of President Bola Tinubu and collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

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He unveiled “Arise 2.0” as the blueprint for his 2027 to 2031 administration, promising 85 additional “audacious projects” based on inputs from federal constituency tours.

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He urged Akwa Ibom residents to embrace politics of ideas ahead of 2027, saying, “Politics will come and go but the spirit and bond of our brotherhood will remain unbroken. I came as a peacemaker and I will leave office in 2031 as a peacemaker.”

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