The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to commission 39 completed projects across the state to mark the visit of President Bola Tinubu and the 39th anniversary of the state’s creation.
The decision was contained in a resolution issued on Tuesday after the State Executive Council meeting, where the government outlined preparations for the presidential visit and project commissioning exercise.
According to the resolution, President Tinubu is expected to commission several strategic projects, including the new terminal building at the airport, Airport Hospital, Aviation Village, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, the dualisation of Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre, AkwaGIS, the State Secretariat Annex and the ARISE Palm Resort.
The Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the Governor-in-Council had directed relevant ministries, departments and agencies to ensure proper coordination and adequate preparations for the successful hosting of the President.
The council also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the state, including the recruitment of more than 2,854 health workers, completion of 29 Model Primary Healthcare Centres, upgrades of 17 additional PHCs and the rehabilitation of four secondary healthcare facilities.
The government said emergency measures would be adopted to fast-track the recruitment of more medical doctors and address manpower shortages in the health sector.
It also disclosed the acquisition of three CT scan machines, with three more expected, as well as two MRI machines. The state is equally progressing with the digitisation of healthcare processes to improve efficiency, access and service quality.
The council further approved the transmission of nine health sector bills to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration.
In another development, the council approved a N31 billion Economic Empowerment Programme for youths, women, traders, farmers, transport operators and small and medium-scale enterprises across the state’s 31 local government areas.
The funding, provided for in the 2026 approved budget, will allocate N1 billion to each local government area for the implementation of the programme.
The initiative would provide youth skills acquisition and starter packs, women cooperative support, traders’ grants, agricultural inputs, SME development support and transport empowerment schemes.
The government said the programme is designed to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, reduce poverty, improve agricultural productivity and support inclusive economic growth through grants, training and the distribution of productive assets such as tricycles to qualified beneficiaries.
A committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government has been established to develop implementation guidelines and oversee the distribution process, with 165,912 residents expected to benefit.
Governor Umo Eno thanked the people of Akwa Ibom for their continued support and assured residents that his administration would remain committed to peace, progress and prosperity across the state.
