RismadarVoice Reporters
September 24, 2026
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has praised Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno over infrastructure projects undertaken by his administration, saying the developments have helped make the state a destination for investors and tourists.
Akpabio assessed on Tuesday during the inauguration of the 4.12-kilometre Government Reserved Area internal road network, outfall drain and erosion reclamation works in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
The Senate President pointed to the completion of the international airport terminal, the acquisition of additional aircraft for Ibom Air, the ongoing International Convention Centre and Hotel, and the international market in Ikot Ekpene as examples of projects he said were improving the state’s profile.
According to Akpabio, infrastructure development under successive administrations had changed Akwa Ibom from what he described as a state travellers largely passed through on their way to neighbouring destinations.
“Akwa Ibom was a pedestrian state where people passed through to Port Harcourt and Calabar, but now, between your achievements and what we did, Akwa Ibom is now a destination,” he said.
Akpabio said his assessment was based partly on projects he had personally inspected during visits to the state.
“I am not here just because you invited me, but because I don’t want to sit in Abuja and hear that Governor Umo Eno is doing wonders,” he said.
Referring to developments in the aviation sector, Akpabio said he had inspected the state’s newly acquired aircraft and the completed terminal at Victor Attah International Airport.
“I entered the completed terminal building at the airport, and I thought I was in Heathrow Airport in London; let Nigerians come and see the wonders in Akwa Ibom,” he said.
Governor Eno thanked Akpabio for attending major state events and supporting development initiatives in Akwa Ibom.
Eno said the GRA road project was inherited from the previous administration and subsequently completed with upgraded roads and drainage infrastructure.
He said his administration was implementing projects across the state’s 31 local government areas and planned to continue inaugurating completed projects through December.
The governor added that Akpabio would be invited to inaugurate the International Convention Centre and the 200-bed International Hotel upon completion.
Giving details of the road project, Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga, said it was initially designed as a 2.5-kilometre project under direct labour before its scope was expanded to 4.12 kilometres in February 2026 to incorporate additional sections.
Ikot Ekpene Local Government Chairman Aniefiok Nkom also commended the completion of the GRA project and cited the Ring Road, Amanyam Road and international market among other projects in the area.
Other political and traditional leaders who spoke at the event similarly expressed support for the state government’s development programmes.
