ASSAM ASSAM UNVEILS 12KM ROAD PROJECTS FOR EKET, SEEKS STRONGER MEDIA-GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP

ASSAM ASSAM UNVEILS 12KM ROAD PROJECTS FOR EKET, SEEKS STRONGER MEDIA-GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP

…Says Projects Strategically Distributed for Wider Development impact

The Eket Senatorial District political leader and former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus, Chief Barrister Assam Assam, SAN, has explained the distribution of the 12-kilometre road projects approved for Eket Local Government Area by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.Chief Assam Assam, SAN – Political Leader of Eket Senatorial District 

Assam disclosed this on Thursday, September 3, 2026, when members of the Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals (EFCMP) paid him a courtesy visit at his country home in Ede Urua, Eket.

According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the 12km road projects were strategically distributed across rural and urban communities to ensure wider development impact.

Giving details of the projects, he listed the 5.7km Okpongkpong–RCC–Afaha Uqua–Marina Junction Road; 2.1km Heritage University Road; Idung Offiong–Osiok Road, Technical School Road,Efoi; Ndon Idong–Adiakod Road in Esit Urua leading to Qua Iboe River; and Ikot Nsidibe–Ikot Obioro Road in Okon.

He said the projects would enhance the visibility of government intervention across Eket Local Government Area and provide long-awaited access to communities that might otherwise remain neglected.

“These are the distribution of the roads, and without this intervention, it may take many years for these communities to get attention,” he said.

Eno Has Survived the Storm — Assam

Assessing the performance of Governor Umo Eno, Assam, who is also the Director-General of the Umo Eno/Akon Eyakenyi Campaign Organisation, acknowledged that the Governor, like every human being, is not perfect, but said he had made significant progress within a relatively short period.

“Gov. Umo Eno is human and he is not perfect, but he has settled down within the shortest possible time to make positive impact, all that he has achieved in Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.

He urged journalists and other stakeholders to offer constructive criticism rather than insults, falsehood or personal attacks, stressing the need for journalists to verify information before publication.

Assam cautioned that criticism should be directed at identifying areas requiring improvement so that government could do better, rather than deliberately attempting to ridicule public officials. He noted that leaders were constantly exposed to public scrutiny, likening their position to that of “the tallest palm trees” which are often exposed to the strongest winds.

“In spite of all these challenges he faced, the Governor has conquered the storm and still delivers on his mandate,” Assam said.

He further stated that Governor Eno had faced numerous legal challenges, adding that “very few people could survive the trauma Umo Eno went through after going through all 59 court cases.”

Assam Rejects Plea for Release of Princess Udoito

On the appeal by the EFCMP Chairman, Comrade Enobong Nsimah, for the Governor to temper justice with mercy and consider the release of Princess Udoito from the Correctional Centre, Assam said he could not intervene in the matter.

He explained that, throughout his legal career, he had largely practiced civil law rather than criminal law, and therefore would not make such a request to the Governor.

Assam, however, advised Princess Udoito to tender an apology to Governor Eno, saying he had personally encouraged her on several occasions to do so. He said the Governor had publicly indicated that an apology would be appropriate, but that she had declined the advice allegedly based on counsel from her supporters.

“I am sending you to her. Go and tell her to tender her apology to the Governor because what she did was sacrosanct. Even the Governor said it publicly that she should apologize to him, but she refused,” he said.

The political leader also challenged journalists to distinguish themselves through credible and exclusive reporting.

“As a journalist, you should be able to have scoops. That is first-class information that whenever you write, people will believe you for your integrity and credibility,” he advised.

Ibom Air Requires Sustained Investment

Speaking on Ibom Air, Assam described aviation as a capital-intensive industry that requires substantial investment beyond immediate profit considerations. He stressed the need for the state government to continue supporting the airline despite the challenges associated with balancing revenue generation and operational expenditure.

According to him, the Akwa Ibom State Government has invested several billions of naira in sustaining Ibom Air, including the acquisition of aircraft, maintenance and payment of aviation-related bills.

Assam Faults Condition of Eket Correctional Centre

The former Ambassador also commended the EFCMP for its recent visit to the Eket Correctional Centre, describing the condition of the facility as disappointing and inconsistent with the objectives of modern correctional services.

He said the facility still operated largely like a traditional prison rather than a correctional centre designed to rehabilitate inmates through a conducive environment, skills acquisition and adequate facilities.

Assam expressed concern that the centre’s strategic location within Eket meant that its condition was visible to people entering the area from Onna, Oron and Uyo. He promised to draw the attention of relevant authorities to the condition of the facility and seek appropriate intervention.

EFCMP Seeks Stronger Partnership with Government

Earlier, Chairman of the Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals, Comrade Enobong Nsimah, thanked Assam for granting the forum audience despite his busy schedule.

Nsima assured the political leader of the forum’s support for Governor Umo Eno’s administration, while commending the Governor’s achievements and appealing for more development projects across the Federal Constituency.

He also appealed to Assam to mediate between the forum and government, particularly in facilitating access to information and enabling the media to effectively monitor and inspect government projects across the Federal Constituency.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of EFCMP, Dr. Essien Ndueso, acknowledged Governor Eno’s contributions to the Federal Constituency through various projects and appointments of some members of the forum as Special Assistants.

Ndueso called on political leaders and other critical stakeholders in the Federal Constituency to work closely with the media forum for the overall development of the area. He thereafter announced the appointment of Chief Barrister Assam Assam, SAN, as the Grand Patron of the Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals.

Assam Accepts Grand Patronship

Responding, Assam expressed appreciation for the gesture and commended the activities of EFCMP, particularly its approach to professional and development-oriented journalism.

He said he would integrate the forum into the campaign support structure for Governor Umo Eno, adding that he was ordinarily reluctant to grant interviews because of concerns over inaccurate reporting, half-truths and distortion of statements.

Assam, however, said EFCMP had distinguished itself through what he described as “top-notch” reportage, particularly its coverage of the situation at the Eket Correctional Centre.

He encouraged the forum to continue maintaining its professional standards and urged members to always tag him in their reports where appropriate, so that he could draw the attention of relevant authorities to issues requiring government intervention.

In her vote of thanks, Peace Etop appreciated Chief Assam Assam for granting the media professionals a warm reception and giving the forum an opportunity to interact with him on issues affecting the Federal Constituency.

The meeting ended with a renewed call for stronger collaboration among political leaders, government and the media towards accelerating development across Eket Federal Constituency.

By Emem Ebito