The Governor of Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, alongside former Minister of Petroleum, Don Etiebet, has commended the Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Sunday Festus, for effectively utilizing council allocations to execute development projects in the area.
The commendation was made during the commissioning of several projects at Ikot Ibritam, the headquarters of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, undertaken within the past one and a half years by the council chairman.
Governor Eno, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rt. Hon. Uwemedimo Udo said the projects align with the ARISE Agenda, the development blueprint of his administration.
He urged other local government chairmen in the state to emulate the leadership style of the Oruk Anam chairman, noting that such proactive governance would accelerate grassroots development.
According to him, the chairman has invested in key sectors of the local economy, improving the living conditions of rural dwellers and strengthening local revenue generation.
“You have utilised the resources of this local government and the federal allocation for the well-being of the people. Other local government chairmen should emulate your commitment to rural development and prudent management of council funds,” he said.
The governor further praised the council’s diversification efforts, including internally generated revenue initiatives and agricultural investments, which he said have contributed significantly to the council’s economic growth.
He also lauded the payment of bursaries to students and the beautification of the council secretariat, describing the initiatives as reflective of the development strategy being implemented by the state government.
In the same vein, former petroleum minister Don Etiebet applauded Hon. Festus for implementing impactful programmes in road construction, council renovation, establishment of a new motor park, agricultural support, scholarships, social empowerment, and job creation.
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Etiebet noted that the initiatives complement the ARISE Agenda of the state government and the Renewed Hope Initiative of the federal government led by Bola Tinubu.
He recalled that since he played a role in the creation of Oruk Anam Local Government Area in 1989, the council had continued to witness meaningful development, particularly under the current administration.
Etiebet attributed the progress to inclusive political collaboration championed by Godswill Akpabio and Governor Eno, expressing hope that the partnership would be sustained for the benefit of the people.
Responding, the council chairman, Sunday Festus, highlighted several projects executed by his administration, including the construction and commissioning of a modern motor park aimed at improving transportation links to major cities such as Uyo, Port Harcourt, Aba, Calabar, and Bonny Island.
He also emphasized the success of the Assured Farm Project, a strategic agricultural initiative established to boost food production and generate revenue for the council.
According to him, the farm project located at Ikot Akpan Essien community recently generated about N27 million in internally generated revenue for the local government.
Festus added that his administration has also paid N10 million in bursaries to students, provided classroom desks, trained farmers and supplied farm inputs, paid allowances to traditional rulers, offered business support grants to 300 rural women, and provided free JAMB forms to 150 students in the area.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and improved living standards for the people of Oruk Anam.
