INVESTMENT IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIALIZATION IN A'IBOM
By Joseph ATHANASIUS
As a concern Akwa Ibom citizen, I am obliged to comment on the essentials of the present administration's achievements in Akwa Ibom State, led by Governor Udom Emmanuel. The Governor has understood that, without industrialization enablers in place, there can never be industrialized Akwa Ibom. Particularly, in the area of road transport infrastructure. Therefore, writing on the contributions of the state Ministry of Works in ensuring that, the present administration realizes its good intentions to the good people of Akwa Ibom is no mean task.
It is a kind of contributions that have elicited varied reactions from many persons of different perspectives cross the nation. Right from the onset of this administration, the ministry of Works, superintendent over by an erudite administrator, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, has stolen the headlines of local tabloids in the state, the news has flooded the social media, as the Ministry's performance is read globally. Of late, vertually all the national dailies carried the Akwa Ibom state Ministry of Works' superlative contributions to Akwa Ibom project as 'breaking news'
Far above all these shades of news slant, I am convinced that, it is for Governor Udom Emmanuel's surpassing effort in making Akwa Ibom hub of commerce and industrial activities with a view to turn the state into what he called, 'a vibrant economy'. Why is this important? Someone may ask!
Road infrastructure has remained, and will continue to remained a key factor to industrialized states, even as many agreed that more still need to be done in this area to ensure that Akwa Ibom is industrialized, as well as, create jobs for its citizenry. There is no gainsaying that Akwa Ibom still faces serious road infrastructure inadequacy, despite the important contribution it has, to leverage industrial potential of this state.
Akwa Ibom state is broadly characterized by poor road transportation network hence, the power needed to scale industrial plants in the state remains grossly inadequate, though progress is being made by the present administration, and it seems to me that, Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government's stride is evolved around the nexus between infrastructure development and industrialization. More so, industrialization of Akwa Ibom is requiring specific infrastructure, which suggests that, the state's industrialization can also be a facilitator for infrastructure development.
Athough previous administrations have made progress in the past few years, particularly, the immediate passed administration in road infrastructure, yet Akwa Ibom still remained poor in terms of quality drainages (outfall drains), and this has point to the reason the state is flooded once it rains. Perhaps, this explained the state Ministry of Works' dexterity in taking proactive measures in addressing the situation for sustainable industrialization.
'Road infrastructure development in Akwa Ibom state; No dull moment with Ephraim Inyangeyen' has remained a slogan in the lips of Akwa Ibomites, as he (Inyangeyen) has bigoted office bureaucracy, and preferred site engineering, working two four seven to meet the demand at hand. Just last week, for instance, was a busy week for the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, as he toured the entire state supervising road construction projects awarded by the present administration.
He believed that, well-functioning road infrastructure asset will contribute immensely to Akwa Ibom industrialization through urban-rural connectivity and integration, even as he sees good quality infrastructure as a key determinant of the state's attractiveness to foreign direct investment hence, the need for his Ministry to develop infrastructure that will enable the state's industrialization. However, road projects supervised by the Honourable Commissioner last week were many but not limited to those projects I will be mentioning in this piece, both the major road projects and the internal road projects undertaken by the state government.
At the Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan road in Ibesikpo Asutan, which opened directly into the Ring road 3, there was massive earthwork on this road with quality drainages built on both sides of the road. Before leading his team to another road project supervision, the Commissioner has instructed the contractors handling the project to double up effort and maximize the dry season so as to meet the completion deadline of the project. The Ntiedo Udosen street was also inspected by the Honourable Commissioner. Fortunately enough for the contractors handling this projects, the entire stretch of Ntiedo Udosen was stone based, say, about sixty five percent completion.
Other road projects in his supervision itinerary include some road network within the Shelter Afrique Estate, where a good number of roads within the estate are completed, whereas multi road projects are ongoing. Worth mentioning here is the completed Prof. Effiong Justice Edet Robert Nkop road, and the Youth Avenue, which connects Oron road and the Shelter Afrique Estate. More so, within the Akpa Ube axis in Uyo metropolis, were two road projects supervised by Commissioner Inyangeyen and his team. These include, the Akpa Ube Crescent and Akpa Ube Extension. What catches the interest of the Commissioner was the quality of drainages built on both sides of these roads. The Crescent was at stone based level, while there was earth work ongoing in the Extension.
Massive network of road projects within Aka was also inspected by the Honourable Commissioner and his team. There is a modern roundabout to be built within there, where four road projects are ongoing. One is the Aka Community School road, which bursted at Aka road by Champion Breweries, the other is an extension of that road by C division, that opened at Aka Etinan road, while the third one opened at still Aka Etinan road, directly opposite Information Drive, whereas the fourth one linked Ibesikpo Asutan. On these roads, apart from quality drainages built on both sides of these roads, massive earthwork is ongoing. Quite impressive job there.
At Ikot Akpan Abia Ibesikpo, quite impressive work too, is ongoing at the Emergency Completion of Akwa Ima Estate Extension. The Honourable Commissioner, while inspecting the ongoing Etinan - Eket road too, has warned the youths of the area to desist from tiding of government hands from spreading development, telling them about the implications of obstructing construction firm handling projects in their area. He has told the people in clear terms that, such unpatiotic attitude exhibited by some persons will not stop Governor Udom Emmanuel from taking development to every nooks and cranies of the state, as driven by industrialization mandate. The Commissioner asked the people to always channel their complaints and grievances to his Ministry, and not to obstruct contractors from doing their work and appealed for the people's cooperation with the construction firms. Some structures on the right of way, which compensation has been paid for, which also hindered speed of the project were demolished.
The next point of call by the Honourable Commissioner and his team was the Air force School, Uyo, which is located at Okop Ndua Erong in Asutan, Ibesilpo Asutan local government area. He went there at the order of His Excellency, the Governor with a view to see how the government of the day can help in making the school conducive for learning. Received by the school Commandant, Wing Commander Gabriel Shainjo and some staff of the school, the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Ephraim Inyangeyen has stated clearly that, "Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government is honest in its dealings".
It could be recalled that, when last the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, visited Governor Udom Emmanuel in Government House, Uyo, he has made a request to Governor Udom Emmanuel, asking for an assistance from the state government to help put in order some dilapidated infrastructure in the school, as well as construction of internal routes within the school, of which the Governor promised to assist. The school Commandant, Shainjo has confirmed this, when he called Governor Udom Emmanuel, 'a man of his word', saying he (the Governor) has matched his word with action.
Accordingly, after proper assessment of those projects to be carried out by the state government at the Air Force School, the Honourable Commissioner has ordered that, the staff quarters in the school be renovated and remodeled, including the Commandant resident. Part of the school, where flood has wrought havoc, as a result of being a low land, is where the girls dormitory is built, and it is to be worked on, and the place deflooded with quality drainages expected to collect all the waters from the school, properly channel same to discharge at any nearby body of water or swamp.
Interestingly too, the entire school compound is to wear a new look, as the state government has taken it upon itself to construct the access road of the Air Force School, Uyo, and other internal roads leading to the staff quarters and the Commandant resident. The Commissioner however, has given his Engineers order, and has made available some logistics, and the projects in the Air Force School have taking off.
By Joseph ATHANASIUS
As a concern Akwa Ibom citizen, I am obliged to comment on the essentials of the present administration's achievements in Akwa Ibom State, led by Governor Udom Emmanuel. The Governor has understood that, without industrialization enablers in place, there can never be industrialized Akwa Ibom. Particularly, in the area of road transport infrastructure. Therefore, writing on the contributions of the state Ministry of Works in ensuring that, the present administration realizes its good intentions to the good people of Akwa Ibom is no mean task.
It is a kind of contributions that have elicited varied reactions from many persons of different perspectives cross the nation. Right from the onset of this administration, the ministry of Works, superintendent over by an erudite administrator, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, has stolen the headlines of local tabloids in the state, the news has flooded the social media, as the Ministry's performance is read globally. Of late, vertually all the national dailies carried the Akwa Ibom state Ministry of Works' superlative contributions to Akwa Ibom project as 'breaking news'
Far above all these shades of news slant, I am convinced that, it is for Governor Udom Emmanuel's surpassing effort in making Akwa Ibom hub of commerce and industrial activities with a view to turn the state into what he called, 'a vibrant economy'. Why is this important? Someone may ask!
Road infrastructure has remained, and will continue to remained a key factor to industrialized states, even as many agreed that more still need to be done in this area to ensure that Akwa Ibom is industrialized, as well as, create jobs for its citizenry. There is no gainsaying that Akwa Ibom still faces serious road infrastructure inadequacy, despite the important contribution it has, to leverage industrial potential of this state.
Akwa Ibom state is broadly characterized by poor road transportation network hence, the power needed to scale industrial plants in the state remains grossly inadequate, though progress is being made by the present administration, and it seems to me that, Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government's stride is evolved around the nexus between infrastructure development and industrialization. More so, industrialization of Akwa Ibom is requiring specific infrastructure, which suggests that, the state's industrialization can also be a facilitator for infrastructure development.
Athough previous administrations have made progress in the past few years, particularly, the immediate passed administration in road infrastructure, yet Akwa Ibom still remained poor in terms of quality drainages (outfall drains), and this has point to the reason the state is flooded once it rains. Perhaps, this explained the state Ministry of Works' dexterity in taking proactive measures in addressing the situation for sustainable industrialization.
'Road infrastructure development in Akwa Ibom state; No dull moment with Ephraim Inyangeyen' has remained a slogan in the lips of Akwa Ibomites, as he (Inyangeyen) has bigoted office bureaucracy, and preferred site engineering, working two four seven to meet the demand at hand. Just last week, for instance, was a busy week for the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, as he toured the entire state supervising road construction projects awarded by the present administration.
He believed that, well-functioning road infrastructure asset will contribute immensely to Akwa Ibom industrialization through urban-rural connectivity and integration, even as he sees good quality infrastructure as a key determinant of the state's attractiveness to foreign direct investment hence, the need for his Ministry to develop infrastructure that will enable the state's industrialization. However, road projects supervised by the Honourable Commissioner last week were many but not limited to those projects I will be mentioning in this piece, both the major road projects and the internal road projects undertaken by the state government.
At the Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan road in Ibesikpo Asutan, which opened directly into the Ring road 3, there was massive earthwork on this road with quality drainages built on both sides of the road. Before leading his team to another road project supervision, the Commissioner has instructed the contractors handling the project to double up effort and maximize the dry season so as to meet the completion deadline of the project. The Ntiedo Udosen street was also inspected by the Honourable Commissioner. Fortunately enough for the contractors handling this projects, the entire stretch of Ntiedo Udosen was stone based, say, about sixty five percent completion.
Other road projects in his supervision itinerary include some road network within the Shelter Afrique Estate, where a good number of roads within the estate are completed, whereas multi road projects are ongoing. Worth mentioning here is the completed Prof. Effiong Justice Edet Robert Nkop road, and the Youth Avenue, which connects Oron road and the Shelter Afrique Estate. More so, within the Akpa Ube axis in Uyo metropolis, were two road projects supervised by Commissioner Inyangeyen and his team. These include, the Akpa Ube Crescent and Akpa Ube Extension. What catches the interest of the Commissioner was the quality of drainages built on both sides of these roads. The Crescent was at stone based level, while there was earth work ongoing in the Extension.
Massive network of road projects within Aka was also inspected by the Honourable Commissioner and his team. There is a modern roundabout to be built within there, where four road projects are ongoing. One is the Aka Community School road, which bursted at Aka road by Champion Breweries, the other is an extension of that road by C division, that opened at Aka Etinan road, while the third one opened at still Aka Etinan road, directly opposite Information Drive, whereas the fourth one linked Ibesikpo Asutan. On these roads, apart from quality drainages built on both sides of these roads, massive earthwork is ongoing. Quite impressive job there.
At Ikot Akpan Abia Ibesikpo, quite impressive work too, is ongoing at the Emergency Completion of Akwa Ima Estate Extension. The Honourable Commissioner, while inspecting the ongoing Etinan - Eket road too, has warned the youths of the area to desist from tiding of government hands from spreading development, telling them about the implications of obstructing construction firm handling projects in their area. He has told the people in clear terms that, such unpatiotic attitude exhibited by some persons will not stop Governor Udom Emmanuel from taking development to every nooks and cranies of the state, as driven by industrialization mandate. The Commissioner asked the people to always channel their complaints and grievances to his Ministry, and not to obstruct contractors from doing their work and appealed for the people's cooperation with the construction firms. Some structures on the right of way, which compensation has been paid for, which also hindered speed of the project were demolished.
The next point of call by the Honourable Commissioner and his team was the Air force School, Uyo, which is located at Okop Ndua Erong in Asutan, Ibesilpo Asutan local government area. He went there at the order of His Excellency, the Governor with a view to see how the government of the day can help in making the school conducive for learning. Received by the school Commandant, Wing Commander Gabriel Shainjo and some staff of the school, the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Ephraim Inyangeyen has stated clearly that, "Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government is honest in its dealings".
It could be recalled that, when last the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, visited Governor Udom Emmanuel in Government House, Uyo, he has made a request to Governor Udom Emmanuel, asking for an assistance from the state government to help put in order some dilapidated infrastructure in the school, as well as construction of internal routes within the school, of which the Governor promised to assist. The school Commandant, Shainjo has confirmed this, when he called Governor Udom Emmanuel, 'a man of his word', saying he (the Governor) has matched his word with action.
Accordingly, after proper assessment of those projects to be carried out by the state government at the Air Force School, the Honourable Commissioner has ordered that, the staff quarters in the school be renovated and remodeled, including the Commandant resident. Part of the school, where flood has wrought havoc, as a result of being a low land, is where the girls dormitory is built, and it is to be worked on, and the place deflooded with quality drainages expected to collect all the waters from the school, properly channel same to discharge at any nearby body of water or swamp.
Interestingly too, the entire school compound is to wear a new look, as the state government has taken it upon itself to construct the access road of the Air Force School, Uyo, and other internal roads leading to the staff quarters and the Commandant resident. The Commissioner however, has given his Engineers order, and has made available some logistics, and the projects in the Air Force School have taking off.
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