September 23, (THEWILL) — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, will on Wednesday visit Akwa Ibom State to commission the 15.13km Ikot Otomo–Azumini Road in Ika Local Government Area, as part of activities marking the state’s 38th anniversary.
Governor Umo Eno, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, announced that Wike will inaugurate the road and other internal projects in Ika, describing the development as part of his administration’s commitment to rural transformation.
A tour of the project showed that the road, which stretches from Ikot Onono in Ika to Azumini in Abia State, is expected to open new economic opportunities by linking the area directly to Aba, one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial hubs.
Chairman of Ika Local Government Area, Hon. Utibeabasi Nwoko, hailed the project as “the first major road connecting Ika to other states.” He noted that the road, abandoned by previous administrations, would unlock the area’s economic potential, particularly in agriculture and solid minerals.
“I can say this is one of the most viable routes in the state because it connects us to Aba. Over 1,000 women and youths have resolved to gather and celebrate the governor for remembering Ika in this unique way,” Nwoko said, adding that the people have pledged their support to Governor Eno beyond 2027.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, explained that the road was initiated by the Udom Emmanuel administration but completed under Governor Eno, describing it as an example of continuity in governance.
“With the people of Ika being predominantly farmers, this road will ease the evacuation of farm produce to markets across the state and beyond,” he said.
Residents of Azumini also commended the project and dismissed speculations of boundary disputes, insisting that the natural demarcations between the two states remain clear.
