January 06, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has set April 1, 2026, as the definitive take-off date for full international operations at the Victor Attah International Airport.
The Governor announced the deadline on Monday, January 5, 2026, while inaugurating two high-powered inter-ministerial committees designed to oversee airport readiness and enforce the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for state revenue.
The inaugurations took place at the Government House in Uyo, shortly after the Governor signed the ₦1.39 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law during an enlarged State Executive Council meeting.
Christened “The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth,” the fiscal plan marks a 16% decrease from the revised 2025 budget, with 75% of the total—amounting to ₦1.035 trillion—allocated to capital expenditure.
Governor Eno charged the International Airport Status Implementation Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah, to fast-track all outstanding technical requirements.
The Committee includes the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob; Ibom Air Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi; Accountant-General Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien; and the Managing Director of the Airport Development Authority, Mr. Uwem Ekanem, who serves as secretary.
The Governor emphasized that the April 1 target is non-negotiable following the Federal Government’s official designation of the facility for international traffic in late 2025.
“All required benchmarks must be met ahead of the facility’s operational takeoff. There are no excuses for missing this timeline,” the Governor stated.
Parallel to the aviation drive, the Governor inaugurated the TSA-IGR Implementation Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob.
This body is tasked with ensuring that all government revenue is channeled into a unified account to curb leakages. The Governor warned that no ministry, department, or agency (MDA) is permitted to operate independent accounts.
“No agency is allowed to generate money and spend it. All funds must go into the Treasury Single Account to ensure transparency and accountability,” Eno warned.
He added that the state currently carries no bank debt and aims to fund the 2026 budget without new borrowing through strict fiscal discipline.
The Governor also reaffirmed the termination of contracts for private revenue consultants and directed that all tenement rates be paid directly into the TSA.
He announced a limited waiver on outstanding tenement rate arrears, urging property owners to settle their current obligations before a March 2026 deadline to avoid further penalties.
