The Akwa Ibom State Government has awarded construction of vessels contract to the Nigerian Navy as part of measures to revive the once moribund ferry service in Oron Federal Constituency.
Ekerete Udoh, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday 13/02/24.
During the campaign visit to Oron, Governor of the state, Umo Eno, had promised to reintroduce the long moribund ferry services, that was a popular means of transportation back in the 70s and the 80s if elected.
He had also promised to turn the Oron Beach into a tourist’ haven. Today’s visit, therefore, was a fulfillment of that campaign promise.
The statement reiterated that already contract has been awarded to the Nigerian Navy for the construction of the ferries., even as the project is to be handled by the son of the soil, Orman Esin, who is the Honorable Commissioner for Transport.
“It was a full day at work in Oron Federal Constituency, as Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, traversed the length and breath of the area, flagging off road projects of immense economic and social value as well as the ferry services that is primed to turn the Oron beach into a tourist’ haven.
“It was also a day the people of Oro ethnic nationality turned up in numbers, to celebrate the Governor, for keeping his campaign promises to the people.
The event had kicked off in Okobo Local Government Area, where Governor Eno flagged off the dualization of the 13.5 km Okopedi- Oron Road by East- West Road( Phase 11) amid joyous celebrations by the people of Okobo, who poured encomium on the Governor.
The project which is handled by the Chinese engineering and construction giant, CCECC, is to be delivered for commissioning in 24 months, a time- frame Governor Eno urged the contractors to stick to.
The Governor promised to flag off 18 strategic roads across all the 10 Federal Constituencies with the first set, in Oron. He also announced that government will conduct Town Hall meetings from June this year, to put the administration’s scorecard before the people and in his administration’s spirit of inclusivity, inquire from the people, further needs for their respective communities.
“We are on course. We believe in action as we do not take your votes for granted” the Governor had declared.
Governor Eno later visited the General Hospital, Iquita Oron, where free medical services are being provided in collaboration with Hensek Integrated Services, an indigenous road and engineering services firm.
The last event, was the flag off of the dualization of the 13.6km Unyenge- Universal Energy Road to Ibom Deep Seaport with 2nd Bridge of 30m& 45m span and spur to Affi-Uda Village in Mbo Local Government Area
At the flag off, Governor Eno, said the event is in fulfillment of the campaign promise he made to the people of Mbo, while stating the huge economic benefits the road will bring to the state and indeed the South South and South East regions respectively.
He disclosed that over 100 billion naira is being budgeted for these projects and that the administration has not borrowed a dime to execute any of the projects.
The Flag off events had in attendance a cross -section of political stakeholders of Oro extraction, the Deputy Governor, Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, Akwa Ibom
PDP Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, DG of the Campaign Organization, H.E. Chief Assam Assam, SAN, SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah, Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob, House of Reps Member for Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Martin Esin, former House of Assembly Speakers, Barrister Onofiok Luke and Barr Peter Linus Umoh, Ikpoto Oro, Chief Okon Osung, serving and former national and State Assembly members, serving and former State Executive Council members, Royal fathers led by the Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council/Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko, Ovong Bassey Etim Edet, and other critical stakeholders.
