Akwa Ibom has deployed better revenue allocation from FAAC and removal of subsidies to boost its socio-economic activities in many sectors.
In deploying resources, the state government has initiated and completed a number of projects including the construction of a model primary school and primary health care center in each of the 31 local government areas as well as the construction of over 1,300 kilometers of roads with 12 bridges.
It is also impacting lives through prompt payment of pensions and gratuity, contributing over N76 billion towards this aspect, while it has also distributed food items to vulnerable people across the state.
One of the major projects includes the construction of an aviation village, equipping its airport for international operations and large-scale investment in agriculture.
Another major project being implemented by the state government is the Sea Wharf and Shoreline Improvement Project at Oron.
Commissioner for Information, Anikan Umana, while acknowledging that Akwa Ibom State has benefited from improved revenue, said the state government has channeled the money into the development of the state which is impacting the people.
Umana in an interview said major projects that will leave lasting impact in the state are being implemented by Governor Umo Ano.
“Yes, resources have improved, that is why in Akwa Ibom State, we have projects, big projects, ongoing projects that have been completed and more in different sectors,” he said, adding that the available resources are being utilized in expenditure to improve the livelihood of the people.
For example, with around 1300 km long roads and 32 bridges in different states, you know how much a kilometer of road would cost, multiply this and you will see how many billions would have been spent in the field of road construction alone.
“You look at agricultural development, you can see huge investments in the development of agricultural systems, in support of food development and food security, even in the distribution of food, the construction of aviation villages, the free housing scheme for civil servants and food security.
“If you have an idea of how much it costs to distribute food to over 600,000 vulnerable families, even with the price of a 5 kg bag of rice, and if you multiply it by 600,000, it will give you an idea of how many billions would have been spent in that area alone. Not to talk about food distribution to families across the state during the Christmas festivities. 40 bags of rice per village, 272 In the villages, you will see how much money has gone back to the people”
“In terms of resource application, we must commend the governor for his prudent management of the resources of the state, look at the big projects like the marine project in Oron, shoreline protection, jetties, and all those that are being built in the area, these are things like agriculture, the construction of the 5,000 conference centre, the Ibom Tropicana project, even the Ibom Hotel which is being rehabilitated, the 18 storey building in Lagos.
“Take the minimum wage payment, take the number of workers in the state and march with the minimum wage with the resultant wage increase, it brings in a lot of money. That is why Akwa Ibom is a happy place for people to live and work, that is why retirees today have over N76 billion put into paying people's pensions and gratuities and it is still going on.
“According to him, the money is going to these areas to help the system work, education, health care development, free education is funded by the state government.
“So the money coming into the state, for the socio-economic development of the state, to be implemented in various sectors, be it in the socio-economic sector, in infrastructure, even in the peace and security of the state, there will be a lot of investment required to keep the state safe, development of the airport, construction of the aviation village and getting the airport an international status and that is still going on.”
Although critics have faulted the absence of heritage projects, Umana believes that each administration has its own priority projects and focus, adding that the Arise Resort being built by Governor Umo Ano is a heritage project, explaining that it is the reclamation of 73 hectares of drain erosion, the creation of a tourism destination that will bring the world to Akwa Ibom and create socio-economic impact for the people.
''This is a huge investment, every government should give its priority and focus, again the marine infrastructure in Oron is a legacy project that can build many flyovers on its own,'' he said, adding that economic activities will develop upon completion of the marine project in Oron, while flyovers will come with time.
“So far so good, more resources to the states, more projects in Akwa Ibom, more interventions and better livelihoods for the people,” he said.
