𝙂𝙤𝙫. 𝙐𝙢𝙤 𝙀𝙣𝙤: 𝘼𝙠𝙬𝙖 𝙄𝙗𝙤𝙢 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧 ₦200 𝘽𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨, 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, prudent financial management, and sustainable development, disclosing that the state's in-house contract review mechanism has saved over ₦200 billion in project costs.

The Governor made this known while presiding over the July State Projects Delivery Meeting at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, where government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, media representatives, and other stakeholders reviewed the progress of major projects being executed across the state.

Governor Eno explained that the delivery meeting was designed to give citizens and stakeholders direct access to information on government projects, ensuring openness in governance and strengthening public confidence through regular project evaluation and performance monitoring.

According to him, the administration's internal quantity surveying and contract evaluation system has significantly reduced project costs without compromising quality. He noted that the over ₦200 billion saved has been redirected to finance additional critical infrastructure and development initiatives that will continue to improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom people.

The Governor said the meeting assessed progress across several strategic sectors, including roads and bridges, aviation infrastructure, the Ibom International Hospital, ARISE Palm Resort, Ibom International Convention Centre, the Oron Maritime Project, Youth Development Centres, model schools, primary healthcare centres, and ongoing electricity sector reforms.

He also disclosed that preparations are progressing for the presidential commissioning of several flagship projects later this year. These include major road projects, the Ibom International Hospital, ARISE Palm Resort, the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, the Aviation Village, the Command and Control Centre, and the Governor's Office Annex.

Governor Eno revealed that updates were equally received on strategic investments such as the Ibom Deep Seaport, Itam Industrial Park, airport expansion projects, and developments being undertaken by the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), describing them as critical drivers of industrialisation, economic diversification, and long-term prosperity.

Providing an overview of infrastructure delivery, the Governor announced that the administration is currently executing 1,305 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges across Akwa Ibom State. He added that total payments on road projects, including inherited contracts, have reached ₦743.315 billion, reflecting the government's sustained commitment to expanding transportation infrastructure and improving connectivity.

Governor Eno further announced that Akwa Ibom recently earned a $6 million performance reward under the World Bank-supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme for its outstanding achievements in transparency, fiscal discipline, budget management, and good governance. He added that the state also secured an additional $3 million under the Nigeria for Women Project to strengthen economic empowerment for rural women.

On electricity reforms, the Governor reiterated his administration's commitment to establishing a functional state electricity market capable of delivering stable and reliable power within the next 18 months. He explained that ongoing institutional reforms, strengthened regulation, and private sector participation will drive the transformation of the state's electricity sector.

Expressing concern over the theft of perimeter fencing materials at airport project sites, Governor Eno directed security agencies, local government authorities, village heads, and youth leaders to work together to protect public assets. He stressed that government infrastructure belongs to the people and warned that traditional rulers who fail to safeguard public facilities within their communities risk losing official recognition.

The Governor appreciated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, civil society organisations, political leaders, and other stakeholders for participating in the two-day project delivery meeting, noting that their presence reinforces transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

He reaffirmed that his administration will continue to prioritise prudent resource management, timely project execution, and the successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for every resident of Akwa Ibom State.

ℙℝ𝕆𝔾ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕊 𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎𝕊 𝕀ℕ𝕊𝕀𝔾ℍ𝕋𝕊

The July State Projects Delivery Meeting reflects an approach to governance that places emphasis on transparency, accountability, and measurable project performance. By opening the project review process to journalists, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, the government seeks to strengthen public trust and encourage citizen participation in development.

The reported savings of over ₦200 billion through internal contract reviews highlight the potential value of prudent financial management in public administration. If sustained, such savings could enable governments to redirect scarce resources toward additional infrastructure, healthcare, education, power, and social development projects without increasing public expenditure.