Gov  Eno inaugurates 60m Obot Akara Bridge Project, awards contract for Mbiaso Bridge

Fresh from completing and inaugurating a 60-meter span bridge and road project in Obot Akara local government area, Governor Umo Eno has approved another contract for the construction of a bridge and road project at Mbiaso in the same locality.

A model primary school, complete with a laboratory, standard learning facilities, and a fence, is also to be established at St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Nto Ide, close to the local government council headquarters.

Governor Umo, who announced these at the commissioning of the Nto Ide – Ikot Amba road and bridge project, paid glowing tributes to his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who started the road and bridge project in 2021.

“This project was started by my predecessor; every good child completes what the father started. I’m not here to take the credit, just like Seyang has finished the project his father left behind, I have also completed the project my political father left behind.”

“That’s why on the plaque, it’s written there initiated by Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, and completed by my administration.

“We have the finishers’ anointing, and we want to ensure that we liberate our communities.”

He commended the new managing director of the construction firm, Seyang, for consolidating on the ideals of the founders and announced that the firm would handle the newly approved bridge project in Mbiaso.

“Itoro Inyang, for not letting the spirit of your father down, you’ll handle this project. Your father died halfway to the completion of this project. You and I had a conversation, and I asked you if you can finish it; you said yes, and you didn’t let me down.

“For this reason, I’m awarding it to you. It seems you understand the topography and terrains of this place, and you also have a good rapport with the people. I’m awarding it to you.”

On the school project, the Governor commended the management of the host school for organizing the children who sang at the event and promised more incentives to enable more impact on the children.

“This is not the first time we are using a school environment, but the headmistress, a woman of wisdom, thought it wise to organize these children to perform in their Immaculate white.

“Look at the English that the young girl spoke. I went around to check the classrooms where they are trained; the ceiling is broken, there are no chairs, and I said, what if we bring Uyo to Obot Akara by giving them the Arise model school standard Science Lab, a computerized school?”

The Governor, who acknowledged the strong support from female youths throughout his campaign till date, announced the approval of 400 female youths to be trained and empowered through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Programme.

“Female youths, hear me. I hate to finish, and these people do not have anything to do. We are going to train the next 400 from these females. Everywhere we’ve been, they’ve been with us, and they deserve to be given a source of livelihood, so we will train them and empower them.

“Because they are young girls, they might not have shops, so apart from the N500,000 empowerment to each of them, you’ll add N250,000 so that they can rent shops,” Governor Eno said.

In their messages of appreciation, the elders of Obot Akara who spoke, like Sir Monday Ebong Uko, thanked the Governor for keeping his promise to the people.

“We are unable to thank you enough, Your Excellency, but for all you have done and all you will keep doing, we will appreciate you by doubling our votes in 2027 for your re-election.”

The Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, and the Contractor handling the project, Mr. Itoro Inyang, explained that the project, which commenced in 2021 during the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was executed to stand the test of time and reconnect communities that had been separated.

“The project comes with a 60m span reinforced concrete bridge piled to a depth of 23m and can carry a 450-ton capacity, which is equivalent to 7 fully loaded cement trucks at the same time,” Prof. Ibanga added.

Goodwill messages were also received from the PDP State chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, who expressed delight at the achievements of the party in the State.