May 31 (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has issued a final deadline of July 2026 for the completion of the long-delayed Tabernacle Road project in Itam, Itu Local Government Area, warning that the contract will be revoked if the contractor, Nsik Engineering Company Limited, fails to deliver within the stipulated period.
The governor also extended the warning to other contractors handling government projects across the state, insisting that his administration would no longer tolerate unnecessary delays and abandonment of projects awarded with public funds.
Speaking during a media briefing to mark his third anniversary in Uyo on Saturday, Eno said contractors must adhere strictly to project timelines or risk losing their contracts to more capable firms.
According to him, the Tabernacle Road project, which was awarded in February 2024, has suffered delays which can no longer be justified, stressing that the government remains committed to ensuring value for money and the timely delivery of critical infrastructure.
“I have directed that the contractor handling the Tabernacle Road project must complete the work by the end of July. If that deadline is not met, we will revoke the contract and award it to another company that can deliver”, the governor said.
He added that his administration would intensify monitoring of projects across the state to ensure contractors meet agreed specifications and completion schedules.
The governor’s position comes amid growing public concern over delays in some ongoing infrastructure projects despite significant government investments in road construction and urban renewal programmes.
Eno said the state government would continue to protect public resources by holding contractors accountable and ensuring that projects funded by taxpayers serve their intended purpose.
The governor used the occasion to review the performance of his administration under the ARISE Agenda, highlighting achievements recorded in infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, healthcare, education, social welfare and human capital development over the last three years.
He said his administration has undertaken extensive road construction, bridge projects, drainage works and public facility upgrades aimed at improving connectivity, stimulating economic activities and enhancing the quality of life of residents across the state.
In the area of economic development, Eno said the government had supported small and medium-scale enterprises through funding, capacity-building programmes and market access initiatives designed to boost entrepreneurship and job creation.
He noted that investments in agriculture, including value-chain development and agribusiness programmes, were helping to strengthen food security, create jobs and diversify the state’s economy.
The governor also highlighted interventions in the education sector, including the renovation of schools, improvement of learning facilities and teacher development programmes aimed at improving educational outcomes.
On healthcare, he said the administration has continued to upgrade health facilities, recruit and train medical personnel and expand access to quality healthcare services for residents.
Eno further cited social intervention programmes targeted at women, youths, senior citizens and persons living with disabilities, saying the initiatives were intended to ensure that the benefits of development reach all segments of society.
While acknowledging that challenges remain, the governor assured Akwa Ibom people that his administration would remain focused on delivering impactful projects and improving the welfare of citizens.
He pledged to treat the mandate entrusted to him by the people with utmost seriousness, saying he would continue to give his best in service to the state.
“The mandate given to us by the people is a sacred trust. We will continue to serve diligently and do our very best as patriotic citizens committed to the progress and development of Akwa Ibom State”, he said.
Expressing appreciation to residents for their support over the past three years, Eno described the achievements recorded so far as a collective accomplishment and called for continued partnership in building a more prosperous and globally competitive state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources as it enters the next phase of the ARISE Agenda.
