STAKEHOLDERS HAIL WORLD BANK UPGRADE OF AKS-RAAMP SPOT IMPROVEMENT ROADS

Widespread thankfulness; songs of praises and a general harvest of applause characterised the re-engagement / sensitization of stakeholders across roads earlier intervened upon by AKS-RAAMP under her spot improvement component, following the upward review in scope for a comprehensive reconstruction of the roads under the upgrading component by the World Bank.

Spot Improvement involves a minimal scope of road construction activities – shallow excavation, grading, compacting and minor rehabilitation of drains (where applicable), whereas the upgrading component stimulates the total package of civil works that may be necessary to realise an excellent road construction job.

At the civic center – Ibakang, where stakeholders along the 7.84 km Idiaba – Adia Nsit – Ndukpuise road as well as the 2.60 km Ikot Otu – Idiaba road had converged for the exercise, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset – the member for Uyo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly; Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, representing Nsit Atai State Constituency at the House of Assembly; Hon. Lady Emem Ibanga – Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and Hon. Tony Nyong – Executive Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, among other stakeholders described the upgrade as an answer to their individual and collective prayers, as they all paid tributes to His Excellency, the Governor – Pastor Umo Eno; the World Bank and other stakeholders in the project for the honour done them.

On their parts, the village heads, women, youth leaders and other stakeholders across the road corridor pledged their utmost support and cooperation to ensure seamless completion of the projects. The two roads traverse seven communities namely: Idiaba, Adia Nsit, Ikot Otu, Ibakang, Ikot Mkpene, Ikot Udokang and Ndukpuise in Nsit Atai and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas.

Similarly, the exercise was held for stakeholders along Nkim Itam – Ikot Anie Itam – Ita Uruan road at St. John Primary School, Ikot Ayan – Itam, where the Hon. Commissioner for Housing / Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters (Uyo Senatorial District), Rt. Hon. Henry Archibong emphasized that the various interventionist projects under RAAMP are all in alignment with the vision of His Excellency, the Governor and the ARISE agenda, considering their priorities to rural development and empowerment.

Archibong who is also the political leader of Itu Local Government Area, maintained that the project would bring substantial benefits to the communities and urged the youths to cooperate and safeguard the personnel / equipment for best results, adding that the inclusive governance strategy of Governor Umo transcends party affiliations, hence all hands should be on deck to deliver the goods, regardless of political affiliations.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker – Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly / Member representing Itu State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kufre Edidem, represented by his Chief of Staff – Hon. Godspower Udofe, expressed support for the road construction, underscoring its enormous potential to transform the local landscape of the area.

On his part, the Chairman of Itu Local Government Area, Hon. Ubong Nkut, commended RAAMP for facilitating improved access to the communities, while highlighting the rich agricultural resources of the area.

He acknowledged the significant challenges local farmers face in transporting their produce to urban markets and expressed optimism that the new road would ease such logistics issues and boost farming activities across both Local Government Areas of Itu and Uruan.

Nkut praised Governor Umo Eno for embracing RAAMP and bringing relief to rural communities across the state, as he further hailed the success of His Excellency’s recent think-thank meeting with youth leaders in the state aimed at fostering cooperation with construction companies.

The 10.1 km road links seven communities namely: Nkim Itam, Enen Atai Itam, Ikot Anie Itam, Ikot Ayan, Ikot Udo Uruan, Ibikpe and Ita Uruan – all in Itu and Uruan Local Government Areas.

Stakeholders along the Eyesana – Ikot Idem – Afaha Iman road converged on the civic center – Ikot Idem for the exercise.

Led by the host village head of Ikot Idem, Eteidung David Essien, all the stakeholders viewed the earlier spot improvement intervention as grossly unsatisfactory, as they thanked the World Bank for responding positively to their plights.

“Thank God that the World Bank team traversed the road recently when they came for their routine inspection. I believe that must have been the reason for their quick approval for the upgrade, as they certainly would not have loved the current deplorable condition of the road, despite having been worked upon even as the rainy season is just starting,” Eteidung Essien said in part.

The Eyesana river bridge is a significant feature to be intervened upon along the 6.27 km stretch, while the road cuts across four villages namely: Obontong, Ikot Idem, Nkwot and Afaha Iman in Nsit Ibom and Etinan Local Government Areas.

In his presentations at the various centers, the State Project Coordinator of AKS-RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan stressed the importance of community cooperation for the project to succeed, as he urged all stakeholders to abide by set guidelines to ensure smooth execution of the project and avoid potential setbacks.

He specifically thanked all the youths for being peaceful while the engagements, presentations and community positions were being submitted to relevant authorities on the need to grant approval for the upgrade and expressed optimism that such would be sustained through the reviewed implementation of the project.

Pastor Akpan applauded the World Bank for the plausible response, while reiterating his appreciation to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD for his belief and investment in AKS-RAAMP, stressing that the project would contribute significantly towards complementing the ARISE agenda for the overall benefit of the state.

Highlights of the events were presentation of the contractors and design / supervision consultants to the respective stakeholders, with a charge to deliver the jobs promptly, as RAAMP would be closing out by June, 2026.

A total of 67.211 km of roads have been upgraded from the spot improvement component, spread across 10 Local Government Areas of the state.

Others include the 10.32 km Nung Ita Urua Anwa – Obo Ntayam – Ikot Akpan Ikot Okoro road in Oruk Anam LGA; 7.96 km Ikot Umiang and 3.33 km Ukam – Ikot Obio Okoi – Ikot Abia roads in Mkpat EninbLGA; 3.92 km Efa junction – Ikot Ibok – Ikot Mfon; 2.044 km Ikot Itina – Oniong with spur to Nsemeke Ikpe market and Ikot Abasi 1 – Ikot Inyang Ossom – Afaha Iman road with a spur Leprosy Hospital – all in Etinan LGA; 4.30 km Mbiafun Ikot Abasi – Fiong Aran road in Ini LGA; 4.375 km Ikot Akan – Ikot Iyire road with a spur to the beach in Nsit Ubium LGA; 2.00 km Nung Udoe – Ibiaku Issiet road in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA; and 1.752 km Uruting road in Okobo LGA.