Pst. Solomon Essiet
If you ever had any business to do around Spring Road in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area before the Governor Umo Eno’s intervention on August 22, 2023, then ‘sorry’ must have been your name. Today, the story is different as vehicles and motorcycles have begun moving freely on the same Road.
Spring Road, off Abak Road in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area was impassable even by pedestrians, talkless of any sort of automobile. Students of Gorretti Girls Secondary School, teachers and residents of the area were the worse hit. Due to the deplorable State of the Road, academic activities were seriously hampered, especially during the rainy season, as an attempt to cross over to the Gorretti Girls Secondary School after a heavy downpour was akin to committing suicide.
Spring Road was absolutely in a very terrible condition for some decades, to the extent that it became a safe haven for criminals. Any armed robber that was able to make it to Spring Road during a hot chase by the Police officers was considered a loss for the Policemen, as efforts to fish out such criminals often ended in futility. Economic activities in the area was at the lowest ebb. This was so as farmers who planted Pumpkins, Water Leaves and other Crops by the stream at the tale end of the street found it very difficult to get to their various farms. The deplorability of Spring Road was so intense, such that if one was making his way to that very Road, you may have to say your last prayers as you may not come out alive, most especially after rainfall.
When news filtered in that Spring Road is one of the Roads that the Golden Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pst. Umo Bassey Eno is considering for construction in his first 100 Days in office, cynics in Local Government Area dismissed it as ‘Beer Parlour talk’, due to the huge poor nature of the terrain. The people completely lose hope on the possibility of Spring Road receiving such prompt attention by the Government of the day and postulated that almighty Spring Road will remain a dead trap permanently given the gory appearance of the Road.
It takes a very determined and compassionate Governor such as Pst. Umo Eno to consider awarding Spring Road for construction. Reason being that the funds allocated for the construction of the 1.1Km Spring Road could be used in construction of 4 – 5km Road elsewhere. Pst. Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is a man of great compassion, a friend of the poor and down trodden in the society.
The 1.1Km Spring Road Construction with 0.875Km Outfall Drain was awarded to U&K Limited, an indigenous construction firm with a glittering track record, who has proved its mettle in the industry with excellent delivery of several contracts awarded to the firm. As we speak, the Spring Road Construction is at Stone base level, awaiting asphalting. The technical skills brought to bear around the canal area, the most difficult part of Spring Road can better be imagined. The Chief Executive Officer of U&K Limited, Engr. Ukeme Peters told this writer that the Spring Road Construction work is beyond 80% completion.
The previous pictures as well as the current pictures of the said Spring Road are attached here. It is the easiest way one can really appreciate the quality and volume of job done so far by the Governor. An assessment visit to the project site on Monday 25th March, 2024 made this writer to marvel at the level of transformation, as life has returned to the area. Vehicles and Motorcycles now move freely to and fro the Spring Road, as a testament of yet another ‘Umo Eno Wonder’. Indeed, the Governor is doing great things for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
It is on record that Pst. Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in less than 10 Months in office has so far released over N100 Billion Naira for the construction of 77 critical Roads within the State. 36 of such Roads are awarded newly by this administration while 41 others were taken over from the previous administration.
Good Governance exhibited by Governor Umo Eno since his assumption of office have indeed endeared so many people to him across party lines, culminating in a massive defection of over 37,000 decampees to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State in recent times. The Governor is not doing any magic. What we are witnessing is a result of adequate preparation. Pst. Umo Eno came prepared to deliver the corresponding dividends of Democracy to all Akwa Ibomites.
If you are one of those still sitting on the fence, it is time to join the band wagon. Believe me, you will never have any reason to look back. Akwa Ibom is in a golden era of possibilities.
Pst. Solomon Essiet (ACIA)
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State
