GOV. ENO’S PURPOSE-DRIVEN ROADS TARGET AGRICULTURAL, ECONOMIC REVIVAL — ASSAM ASSAM

GOV. ENO’S PURPOSE-DRIVEN ROADS TARGET AGRICULTURAL, ECONOMIC REVIVAL — ASSAM ASSAM

…as Akwa Ibom Govt commissions 1.35km Dakkada Global Oil Palm access road in Esit Eket

Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to using road infrastructure as a catalyst for agricultural and socio-economic development, saying that every road constructed by the administration is deliberately designed to serve a specific developmental purpose.

Ambassador Assam Assam, the Director-General of Campaigns, stated this on Friday while representing Governor Eno at the commissioning of the 1.35-kilometre Main Access and Internal Roads to Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited at Etebi, Esit Eket Local Government Area.

The commissioning, which is part of the 39 projects lined up by the State Government to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State, marked Day 11 of the commissioning activities.

According to Amb. Assam, the road is more than an infrastructure project, describing it as a farm road deliberately provided to facilitate access to the oil palm plantation and stimulate agricultural activities in the area.

He said Governor Eno has demonstrated a deliberate approach to development by identifying sectors and projects capable of generating wider economic benefits for the people.

“Pastor Umo Eno is a very deliberate and determined person.

“The first thing he established when he came into office was this oil palm plantation. This road is a farm road,” he said.

Chief Assam further explained that the Governor had determined that roads constructed by his administration must have clear developmental purposes, stressing that the Dakkada Global Oil Palm road was intended to support agricultural production and economic activity.

The DG assured the people of Esit Eket that the administration would continue to execute projects capable of transforming communities, urging them not to be apprehensive about the distribution of development projects across the State.

“Esit Eket people should not be worried because Governor Umo Eno is going to give you projects that you will be shocked about,” Assam said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr Ignatius Ekwere, who gave an overview of the project, said the 1.35-kilometre road was constructed to provide access to the Dakkada Global Oil Palm plantation and reconnect the area to the wider socio-economic activities of the local government.

He explained that the road has a 1.3-metre-wide carriageway, with drainage facilities constructed on both sides to ensure proper water management and protect the pavement from damage.

According to him, three culverts were also constructed along the road to facilitate the movement of water and prevent flooding and erosion that could undermine the road infrastructure.

Mr. Ekwere said the construction followed the required engineering procedures, noting that the subgrade was tested and compacted before the sub-base was laid to a compacted thickness of 150 millimetres.

He added that the base course was subsequently constructed with stone base materials and compacted to 150 millimetres before the asphalt wearing course was applied.

“The asphalt had a wearing course of 50 millimetres, compacted to 50 millimetres and stabilised and checked by the monitoring team from the Ministry of Works,” he explained.

The Permanent Secretary said the road had already begun to revive the agricultural and socio-cultural life of the area, while commending the community and the local government for providing the enabling environment for the successful execution of the project.

Earlier, the Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Uduak Ikemesit Ikot, described the project as a significant intervention in the community, expressing appreciation to Governor Eno for touching the lives of the people through infrastructure development.

“Thank you because you have touched the Esit Eket community. Thank you may not be enough. There is nothing we can give that will amount to what you have done, but give you our complete support come 2027” she said.

She pledged the continued support of the people of Esit Eket to the administration, stressing that the local government would continue to identify with projects and policies aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power, Hon. Iniobong Robson, while reacting to criticism of public appreciation for the Governor’s projects, said recognising the achievements of an administration should not be misconstrued as sycophancy.

The Commissioner explained that government should not be reduced to the personality of an individual, stressing that government is a system in which public officials, civil servants and citizens all have roles to play.

“The first thing here is the idea of government. We have reduced government to an individual. But we know that government is a system,” he said.

He added that his commendation of Governor Eno was not motivated by the desire to curry favour, but by his assessment of the administration’s performance across the State.

“Sycophancy means making an insincere statement to gain favour. When I applaud the Governor, it is not sycophancy. To me, Governor Eno has broken the jinx of project drought in the LGAs of the State,” the Commissioner stated.

He noted that the distribution of state government projects across the local government areas had given communities a reason to appreciate the administration, expressing optimism that further appreciation of completed projects would encourage more interventions.

“We are happy with the Governor. I know what gratitude can do. Appreciating the Governor is not a mistake. We appreciating him for the few state projects in Esit Eket will give birth to other projects in the State,” he said.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the Governor was aware of the water challenges confronting the local government area, assuring the people that the issue remained on the administration’s radar.

“This is our people. We don’t need to talk to them about supporting Umo Eno; everyone is already a strong supporter of the Governor,” he added.

The Paramount Ruler’s representative, His Highness, Nsoduok Etudoh Ikot, described the road as a project of immense significance to the people of Esit Eket, particularly because of its connection to the oil palm plantation.

He recalled that there had been little visible development around the plantation since the 1960s, expressing optimism that the renewed government attention would unlock its potential.

“When his Excellency moved from PDP to APC, we were not happy. The peace we enjoy today is as a result of that visionary leadership and movement.

“Today, we are witnessing your presence for the second time in Esit Eket to commission projects,” he said.

The traditional ruler’s representative said the Dakkada oil palm farm could become a major source of employment and economic opportunities for the people, while contributing to the economic development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

“This road is of great significance because since the 1960s there had not been anything to show that the plantation is there.

“This Dakkada farm should be able to create job opportunities for the people of this location and improve the economy of the State and the nation at large,” he stated.

He pledged the total support of the people of Esit Eket to the Governor’s administration and appealed for the construction of access roads into the sub-creeks in the area to enable farmers, who constitute a significant part of the population, gain easier access to their farms.

The commissioning of the Dakkada Global Oil Palm access road adds to the growing list of projects being delivered across Akwa Ibom as part of the activities marking the State’s 39th anniversary.

The project is expected to improve access to the oil palm plantation, facilitate the movement of agricultural inputs and produce, strengthen economic activities in the area and provide a stronger link between the plantation and surrounding communities.