Rismadarvoice- 23 November 2025
Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed media reports alleging widespread potholes and dilapidated public infrastructure in Uyo, describing them as “misleading, mischievous, and deliberately distorted.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the reports failed to reflect facts earlier communicated by government on ongoing interventions, insisting that the publications were tailored to fit a predetermined narrative rather than the truth.
According to Umanah, issues concerning potholes within the Uyo metropolis, routine road maintenance and upgrades of recreational facilities including the popular Ibom Plaza, had long been identified, documented and incorporated into the government’s scheduled post-rainy-season engineering works.
He noted that the revamp of Ibom Plaza is already underway, with solar-powered streetlights, water fountains at major roundabouts and other beautification efforts being executed by the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Reaffirming the administration’s performance, Umanah emphasized that Governor Umo Eno, in just two years, has delivered “unprecedented development strides,” including the construction of over 974 kilometres of roads and 31 bridges across the state, opening rural communities, driving commerce, and improving mobility.
The Commissioner expressed concern over what he described as a recurring trend where some journalists “ignore the positives and major on the minors” to create unnecessary sensationalism.
“Last year, similar reports flooded news platforms even when the government had already mobilized to address the issue. When the potholes were fixed, none of the platforms reported it.” He lamented.
Umanah maintained that Akwa Ibom remains one of Nigeria’s most stable, development-focused and investor-friendly states. He urged media practitioners to uphold accuracy, fairness, and integrity in their reportage.
The government, he assured, remains committed to delivering on the ARISE Agenda and improving the quality of life for all residents.
