28 September 2015, Uyo – Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, weekend, ordered the immediate restoration of electricity to Okobo Local Government Area of the state that has been without power in the past five years.
This came as he flagged-off the construction of the Uyo-Okobo-Oron dual-carriage road project.
The governor decried the situation where the people of Okobo had been languishing in darkness for the past five years and said the situation was unacceptable.
Addressing the people of Uyo-Okobo-Oron, Governor Emmanuel said the project was in fulfilment of his campaign promises of opening up the hinterland for development, saying: “The road which links Uyo, Okobo, Oron and the East -West Road to the coastal communities is strategic to the socio-economic development of the state.”
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to the development of the coastal areas to boost the economic activities in the state when the Ibom Deep Seaport becomes operational, he noted that discussion was ongoing with a Holland-based firm for the development of the Oron beach.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang, said the construction of the road which will cover 31.4 kilometers, would be executed by a multi-national firm, Renaissance Construction Company.
The commissioner, however, explained that the road construction, which incorporates three bridges among others, would be executed in two phases and would be completed in 36 months.
Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Okobo Local Government Council, Mr. Attah Okon, said Okobo people were proud to be associated with the governor in his bid to re-link Uyo with Oron through Okobo.
He commended the Governor Emmanuel’s initiative and pledged the cooperation of the people to enhance the success of the road construction.
Paramount Ruler Owong Andem Ibok, former Minister of Housing, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, among others, also spoke at the occasion.
- Vanguard
