PASTOR UMO ENO: Best Performing Governor In Infrastructure Development. By Bisi Ezekiel

His Excellency, Pst Umo Eno
Executive Governor
Akwa Ibom State

"Governor Eno is ready and willing to serve the State and not self, and has attracted ovations, which are still reverberating in unimaginable frequency across the State, and even beyond." Ezekiel

The choice of Pastor Umo Eno as governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and his subsequent election has never been regretted, so said a national leader of the PDP from the South South geopolitical zone.

The Governor hit the ground running immediately after being sworn in and withing a year in office, the impact of his administration is being felt in every sector of human endeavours in the state. This is due to the fact that he is versed and grounded in administration, being a member of the cabinet of his predecessor in office, Udom Emmanuel.

The government of Pastor Eno however takes a lead in infrastructural development with massive construction that spanned roads, bridges, education and health facilities. 

In the area of Education, the Eno administration has within just a year in office constructed CSK Model Primary School, Govt Model Primary School, both in Ewet Ofot in Uyo Local Government while the Mbiaso bridge project is ongoing.

His government approved N2 Billion in grant for indigent university graduates.

Deepening Akwa Obom State economy, Governor Eno seeks Federal Government partnership to develop Ibom Deep Seaport and oil palm refinery. He also dolled out N400 million Business Grant to Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurs. 

10 Akwa Ibom women to Benefit from the state Government EDC partnership on capacity building.

Governor Eno Doles Out N1.5 billion Interest Free Loans To Traders In The State.

His government distributed free food items to the vulnerable as part of poverty reduction programme at the Itam Central market.

Happy with the state air carrier; the Ibom Air, the Governor said his administration will do everything possible to make the airline among the best in the country.

Governor Eno inaugurated additional aircraft in the fleet of the state owned  Ibom Air while there is an ongoing project at Victor Attah International Airport.

He has as well partners frontiers to strengthens the Ibom Integrated Farms and also partners Bertola Company on Mechanized agriculture.

Akwa Ibom Government under his watch  partners Federal Housing Authority on affordable housing for his people while the government built 100 houses for poorest of the poor.

Governor Eno has committed massive resources of the state into construction across the state in the past 12 months.

His giant strides in road infrastructural development include construction and Commissioning of the span Ide-Ikot Amba bridge in Obot akara LGA, the construction of official residence for LGA  Chairmen, commissioning of a 3.3km Idua road, Afa Nsit Reclamation in Eket and rehabilitation of the collapsed Afia Nsit Road Eket LGA and the ongoing project in Uyo Ibiono Ibom LGA as well as re-awarding of Nsit Atai/Okobo/Oron road projects.

Others are: Ongoing project Uyo-Ewet gully reclamation and beautification projects at Dominic Utuk, ongoing project in Uyo Ibiono Ibom LGA, Ongoing project in Ikit Itam -Mbiaya road, Ongoing project at Anua Ifa Ikot Okop Housing Estate, Construction of Ring Road from Idoro road to Ikot Ekpene Road Uyo, Ongoing construction of 16.5km road project to link six local government areas.

The government is carrying out on-going projects in Obot Akara Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo LGA, Construction of 16km Midim Atan Ikot Inyang Ikot Akpan Ekpeyon -Etok Uruk Eshiet Ikot Imonte road/30km Span bridge in Essien Udim/Etim Ekpo, the Construction of 11.71km roads bridge, Health Centre in Obot Akara LGA, Construction of 11.71km internal roads/ 2nos15m Spain bridge in Obot in Obot Akara LGA, Construction of 13.6km Orikim/Universal Energy road in Mbo LGA, construction and dualization of 13.5km Okopedi /Oron road by East West Road Phase 2 and Ongoing project at Dakada luxury estate along Airport road, Uyo.

Governor Eno's government approved intervention to salvage Nigerian Correctional Facility in Uyo.

The Governor partnered with the Nigerian Navy on maritime security. The government launched 14 gunboats in partnership with the Nigerian Navy to boost water ways security while he also encourages other security agencies with money and donation of equipment.

There is an on going project to reclaim the Uyo gully erosion site. 

Governor Eno was able to tackle the challenges facing the Ibom Power Plant which he said has betrayed an unspoken displeasure.

He realized the importance of the power plant to his economic agenda, especially at a time the federal government has lessened its control of Independent Power Plants.

The Ibom Power Plant in Ikot Abasi LGA,  is one of the first independent power plants in Nigeria. It received a licence from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to generate electricity in 2008. The governor had thoroughly read the handing over note on the power plant, but he needed, in his words, “boots on the ground” to see and access things for himself.

With the zeal to bring development to the State, the Governor has displayed his readiness to provide work for the sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom irrespective of political or tribal affiliations.

This collaboration, which cut across party lines, he said must continue for the good of the people. 

Gov. Eno said; "We can work together irrespective of party affiliations and when it’s time for politicking, we play politics without bitterness”.

By continuously connecting with the people in line with his promise to bring government closer to the people, he has earned for himself, a sobriquet "the Street Governor". 

Governor Eno does at times punctuated his convoy at different points to interact, encourage, and patronize vendors at some strategic points.

These evidently confirmed that Governor Eno is ready and willing to serve the State and not self, and has attracted ovations, which are still reverberating in unimaginable frequency across the State, and even beyond.

If a Governor can achieve all these laudable feats within a year in the saddle of Akwa Ibom State government, then the people of Akwa Ibom and Nigerians at large could then wonder how Gov. Umo Eno will completely change the face and people of Akwa Ibom State before the completion of his first four year tenure in office.

Bisi Ezekiel is a political commentator and writes from Abuja, the nation's capital.