After two days of touring ongoing project sites across the State, Governor Umo Eno has declared that his administration is on a steady path of delivering on its campaign promises through visible, people-centered projects.
Speaking at the close of the inspection tour on August 15, 2025, which covered 23 different sites across several segment of the ARISE Agenda, the Governor explained that his decision to personally lead the tour was guided by a principle he calls Management by Walking Around, a hands-on leadership approach he likened to business school models.
What appeared to give Governor Eno the deepest sense of fulfillment was not just the physical progress of the projects, but the human stories behind them, especially the engagement of young people at various sites.
The Governor, however, had a clear message for the state’s youth: oppourtunities abound, but entitlement must give way to initiative.
Pointing to specific projects as evidence of commitment, Governor Eno cited the long-abandoned Okobo Road, left incomplete for 16 years and passed through five different contractors, now only two months away from completion.
He also mentioned massive housing developments such as the Aviation Village, Medical City, Judiciary Quarters, and Legislative Quarters, which together account for nearly 400 housing units currently under construction.
Across the 23 projects visited, the message was clear: ARISE Agenda is not an abstract promise. It is visible, It is taking shape, and it is engaging the people.
Also, one thread stood out, the presence of young citizens as active drivers of the work. At some sites, they formed the core of the skilled labour force: Engineers, Artisans, Technicians, Agriculturists.
At one location, two young female civil engineers led their own firms, managing multi-million-naira contracts with competence and poise.
For the Governor, good governance is measured not by the number of political appointments but by the opportunities created for citizens to work, earn, and thrive.
During the first day at Medical City, the Governor urged contractors handling roads and infrastructure to expedite work for timely completion.
At the Ibom International Hospital site, he instructed contractors to begin piling and clear acquired buildings to open up the entire stretch for development.
During a detailed inspection of the Elderly Citizens Centre, he directed the inclusion of a full healthcare facility for the elderly, the acquisition of an additional 20 hectares for future expansion, and the development of a standard operating procedure to guide operations.
He also emphasized the recruitment and training of pioneer staff and strict adherence to safety protocols, underscoring that all projects under the ARISE Agenda are being delivered with quality, speed, and sustainability.
Governor Eno conducted an on-site inspection of the dualization of Uyo Village Road, including ongoing erosion control works and bridge construction. The 4.3km dual carriageway features a 260m × 260m span dual bridge designed to improve access and ease flooding in the area.
During the visit, the Governor directed the technical team to explore sustainable engineering solutions to ensure full reclamation of the affected corridor, reinforcing his commitment to quality infrastructure under the ARISE Agenda.
His words while responding to questions posed by the Government House Correspondents after his two-day projects tour is a fitting way to end this piece.
“You must be able to physically see your projects or the things you are supervising. This gives us: the Commissioners, the contractors, and delivery advisors an on-the-spot view and assessment of progress. We have made inputs, brought in new ideas, and ensured we are on course to deliver what we promised Akwa Ibom people.”
“Everywhere we went, we saw crowds of young men and women working on site, engineers, skilled workers, agriculturists. At one site, two female civil engineers were Managing Directors of their companies. That gives me joy. We are bringing out our youths.”
“Who will build them? Our young people are already on those sites, earning a living. These projects are my reward to Akwa Ibom people — that’s what they campaigned for: good governance and transparency,” he said.
