December 04, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced major gains in healthcare and agriculture, the two sectors described as central to Governor Umo Eno’s vision for sustainable development.
The update was given during the monthly media briefing in Uyo, where the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, outlined what he described as “strategic and people-focused interventions” under the ARISE Agenda.
A major health milestone, according to him, is the commissioning of the new General Hospital in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun, the first functional hospital in the area since 1976.
“This administration has restored access to quality healthcare for communities that have been without a public hospital for almost five decades. It is a fulfilment of the Governor’s promise to take medical care to the doorsteps of our people.”
To further strengthen the health system, the state has commenced construction work on eight additional General Hospitals, 29 Primary Healthcare Centres, and the State Molecular Diagnostics and Public Health Laboratory. The Commissioner explained that these interventions are essential for early disease detection, improved maternal and child health, and efficient public health response.
“We are building a health infrastructure network that will serve both urban and rural communities effectively,” he said.
In a significant move to bridge manpower gaps, the government has approved the employment of 2,000 health workers who will be deployed to various health facilities across the state. Dr Umanah noted that the mass recruitment was designed to ensure that the new and existing health institutions are adequately staffed.
“Healthcare delivery is not just about buildings; it is about trained hands. That is why the Governor approved the engagement of 2,000 health professionals to support our expanding medical facilities”, he stated.
The 2026 draft Appropriation Bill, approved by the State Executive Council, also prioritises healthcare funding as part of the ₦1.390 trillion budget proposal. The Commissioner described the sector as a “non-negotiable investment area”, stressing that improved health outcomes are crucial for productivity and economic growth. He added, “This administration is intentional about strengthening the health sector because a healthy population is the foundation for sustainable development.”
Agriculture also featured prominently in the briefing, with the Governor’s recent inspection of the renovated AKADEP facilities, now operating as an autonomous Agricultural Business Unit under the Office of the SSG.
Dr Umanah disclosed that the agency will drive the state’s emerging high-yield palm oil Tree Crop Revolution. “We are reviving agricultural systems that empower rural farmers and create wealth through value-chain expansion”, he stated.
The Commissioner emphasised that the agricultural reforms aim to boost food production, create employment, and reduce dependence on imported staples. He added that the state is positioning agriculture as a major contributor to GDP through modernisation, farm settlements, and improved extension services. “Our goal is to make agriculture profitable at every level, from smallholders to agro-investors”, he declared.
Dr Umanah also highlighted that the government’s field assessments and project inspections are driven by needs identified from grassroots consultations across the federal constituencies.
He said this approach ensures that the agricultural and health projects being executed are not only relevant but also responsive to community priorities.
“The ARISE Agenda remains a people-first blueprint, and every project you see is rooted in what the people themselves asked for”, he explained.
The Commissioner reiterated that the administration’s investments in healthcare and agriculture are deliberate strategies to improve livelihoods, strengthen rural economies, and consolidate long-term development gains.
“Governor Umo Eno is building systems that will outlast this administration”, he said, adding that the reforms are designed to “ensure that every Akwa Ibom resident has access to healthcare and opportunities for economic participation.”
With massive facility upgrades, expanded healthcare staffing, and agricultural transformation programmes underway, the state government says the implementation momentum will continue unabated
“We are committed to delivering a healthier population and a stronger, food-secure state. The results are beginning to show, and more are on the way”, Umanah stated.
