The Akwa Ibom State Government has procured 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and commenced the construction of ultra-modern terminals and bus stations across the state.
Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a joint press briefing with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, and the Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh.
Umanah also revealed that about 771km of roads are currently at various stages of construction, while 31 completed bridges are set for commissioning.
He noted that the achievements reflect the progress made under Governor Umo Eno’s administration in just two years, across sectors guided by the ARISE Agenda, as Akwa Ibom marks its 38th anniversary.
In the aviation sector, the commissioner said, ‘The aviation sector continues to soar with the acquisition of four new aircraft for Ibom Air, construction of the Aviation Village, and completion of the new Terminal Building and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Victor Attah International Airport.
On security, he said, ‘In security, the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, recruitment of 4,500 community watch personnel, provision of gunboats and patrol vehicles, and creation of a Security and Command Centre have strengthened the State’s safety architecture’.
Speaking on tourism, the commissioner said, ‘ecological remediation of 70 hectares of gullies and construction of the ARISE Resort are underway, alongside works at the 5,000-capacity Ibom International Convention Centre and Hotel and the ARISE Shopping City.
‘In training and empowerment, more than 10,000 youths and SMEs have benefited, and the administration is constructing a 2,000-capacity Amphi-Theatre to host the Annual Christmas Unplugged Event.
‘In addition, the newly established ?100 million Creative Industry Fund is being deployed to strengthen talent development, drive capacity building, and expand opportunities for the entertainment and film sector, thereby positioning Akwa Ibom as a creative hub in Nigeria.
‘In roads and bridges, over 771 kilometres of roads are at various stages of construction, and 31 bridges have been completed.
Umanah disclosed that, ‘In agriculture, the State has established the Ibom Model Farm, rolled out the Arise Home Farms Scheme and the Back-to-Farm Initiative, while distributing inputs to farmers.
‘In healthcare, there are now functional health centres across all LGAs, a State Health Insurance Scheme, a 350-bed International Hospital under development, an Emergency Ambulance Service, a Medical Oxygen Production Plant, and an expanded workforce of medical personnel’.