November 01, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the immediate release of ₦50 billion to contractors handling ongoing projects across the state as part of efforts to fast-track infrastructure delivery ahead of the dry season.
Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, made this known on Thursday during the October edition of the State Government’s periodic press briefing held at the Ministry’s conference room in Uyo.
Dr. Umanah said the directive by Governor Umo Eno aligns with his administration’s commitment to the full implementation of the ARISE Agenda, the state’s development blueprint anchored on accountability, reform, infrastructure, security, and empowerment.
He also announced the restoration of night flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, following the successful calibration and overhaul of the airport’s navigational aids and lighting systems.
The development, he said, has lifted the previous sunrise-to-sunset restriction on flights.
Highlighting progress in the health sector, the Commissioner noted that the government has deepened its State of Emergency on healthcare through an upward review of salaries and allowances for health workers, complementing the recruitment of 2,000 additional personnel, including retired practitioners recalled into service.
In the transport sector, Umanah disclosed that Governor Eno had inspected the new site for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Bus Terminal, now relocated to Obio Offot and Ikot Akpe communities in Uyo.
The terminal, he said, will feature a gas station, training school, and maintenance workshop to support the state’s CNG-powered mass transit initiative.
He further revealed that the State Executive Council has approved the upgrade of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, into a full-fledged University of Education.
The Governor has also inspected the site of a model secondary school in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, one of three planned across the state’s senatorial districts under the ARISE Educational Renewal Initiative.
Other key projects inspected by the Governor, according to Umanah, include the Ibom International Hotel and Conference Centre and the ARISE Resort, the administration’s flagship tourism project slated for commissioning in December 2025.
The Commissioner also confirmed that Governor Eno has signed into law a ₦695 billion supplementary budget passed by the State House of Assembly, bringing the total 2025 budget size to ₦1.65 trillion.
The supplementary budget includes ₦125.66 billion for recurrent and ₦569.33 billion for capital expenditure—geared toward consolidating ongoing projects and driving economic growth.
Umanah added that the Governor recently inaugurated a Computer-Based Test Centre for civil service recruitment and launched the Tree Crop Revolution Programme to revive palm oil production and boost rural wealth creation.
The programme will be managed by a restructured Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) under the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
He further disclosed that the Governor has ordered a cleanup of illegal land allocations within the Tropicana Layout in Uyo and directed the Ministry of Works to commence immediate repairs on failed sections of major roads across the metropolis.
Reaffirming the administration’s focus on youth development, Umanah said the state has commenced the construction of youth-friendly centres in all 31 local government areas and plans to establish an Ibom Creative Village to serve as an incubation hub for film, music, fashion, comedy, and technology.
He added that the government has launched the ARISE Project Tracking Series to monitor the progress and impact of state projects across all local government areas, beginning with Abak and Etim Ekpo.
Dr. Umanah reiterated that Governor Eno remains committed to transparency, accountability, and people-centred governance, ensuring that every kobo spent translates into measurable improvements in the lives of Akwa Ibom citizens.
