On March 22, 2024, Governor Eno inaugurated the Board of the State’s Bulk Purchasing Agency, with a charge on members to ensure transparency and accountability as spelt out in the blueprint for the interventionist agency. The agency has since started operation, distributing free food vouchers across the 31 Local Government Areas in phases 1&2. Thousands of Households have so far benefited from the safety net programme instituted by the compassionate Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.
Governor Eno reaffirmed the government’s position that the food intervention Programme be administered based on the updated social register across party lines to ensure accountability.
“As a compassionate government, we decided to make these staple food items readily available to the needy, free of charge, through our food voucher Programme. The voucher will be given to the most vulnerable through the social register, and they will present it in exchange for the foodstuffs at the designated centres.”
The Arise Food Security Programme is set to begin its free food distribution across the thirty-one (31) Local Government Areas of the State with effect from Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
The Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, in conjunction with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, recently held a meeting with the Ward Personal Assistants to the Governor (Ward PAs) from the 3 Senatorial Districts of the state, to brief them on the modalities for the exercise. The Ward PAs also received the Food Vouchers for onward issuance to beneficiaries, ahead of the different dates for distribution in their localities.
Speaking at the meeting, which was held at the office of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Emem Ibanga, noted that the Governor, who she described as compassionate and humane, has put in place a process which will ensure that beneficiaries get their food items without hassles.
She urged the Ward PAs to put in their best in the discharge of their responsibilities in order to fully interpret the vision of the Governor.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, reminded the Ward PAs that the Arise Food Security initiative is very dear to the heart of His Excellency, the Governor, stressing that everything must be done to ensure it succeeds.
The General Manager informed the Ward PAs that two (2) Local Government Areas would be visited daily, as the coordinating offices have put in place two teams which would be on duty simultaneously.
He advised them to liaise with their respective Local Government Chairmen, Councillors and Stakeholders, for a smooth exercise, urging all to remain committed to the initiative.
The meeting featured an interactive session, where the Ward PAs asked questions and gave suggestions concerning the exercise.
Some of the Ward PAs: Mr. Ekemini Umoren of Ward 2, Ikono LGA; Hon. Udeme Effiong of Asang 1, Nsit Ibom LGA; Hon. Helena Etim of Okopedi Ward 1, Okobo LGA; and Ezekiel Johnny Akpan of Ekpenyong 2, Essien Udim LGA expressed their readiness to contribute to the success of the exercise.
The third (3rd) phase distribution exercise commences with visits to Oron and Udung Uko Local Government Areas.
Governor Eno is quite intentional about cushioning the effect of hardship on the less privileged and the most vulnerable in our communities. Though the State Government has emphasised that the Arise food security programme is a temporary intervention, urging households to take to agricultural-based farming as a lasting solution, the State Government still finds it necessary to intervene from time to time to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. I encourage everyone to rise in support of the Arise Agenda, the blueprint of the golden era administration.
Arise, that same God.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
