By Ekemini James
In the 21st century, the concept of a Smart City, which seeks to integrate sectors like transportation, infrastructure, energy, and governance for sustainable and efficient urban development, has emerged as a critical goal for any government that seeks to better the lives of its people.
Fortunately, Local Governments of Akwa Ibom State under the UCCDA are about to experience this modernization, courtesy of a golden era that is predicated on people-oriented leadership.
Notably, the commitment to realizing this vision is evident through the unflinching efforts of the new Chairman of UCCDA, Hon. Anietie Eka in line with the policies and programmes of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, which is aimed at accelerating the development of Akwa Ibom State, particularly, transforming the Capital City into a modern, smart and sustainable city that will promote tourism and also serve as a model of urban development in Nigeria and Africa.
In the quest to actualize this vision, last month, the UCCDA Chairman, Hon Anietie Eka, embarked on an inspection visit to various government facilities and locations within the capital city, including the Afaha Offot Mini Estate, Ikot Akpe motor park, Ikot Oku Ikono junction, Mbiabong Etoi motor park, Oron road by Ring road III Roundabout, Outer loop by Secondary School Etoi, and Eniong Offot market, where he interacted with roadside traders and motor parks operators to understand their challenges and equally sensitize them on the dangers their businesses pose and the need to cooperate with the government in relocating to approved facilities.
Notable among the challenges is the issue of roadside trading as many traders, such as those at the popular Itam market, resort to selling by the road due to the lack of space inside the main market. In addition, park operators at the Itam main park highlighted the negative impact of illegal motor parks on the functionality of government-owned parks, calling for enforcement of laws against such illegality.
In response to these challenges, Hon. Eka emphasized the importance of solidarity from the traders in realizing Governor Umo Eno’s vision for the city, and assured the traders and operators that the government is sensitive to their plight and is committed to decongesting roadside businesses to ensure free flow of traffic. He further acknowledged the need for renovation and revamping of parks, such as the Itam park, to create a comfortable business environment for workers and travelers.
As measures to transform Uyo into a Smart City, having accessed and evaluated the challenges facing the city’s development upon assumption of office, the UCCDA, led by Hon. Anietie Eka has concluded plans to:
• Enforce the demolition deadline of illegal structures to ensure compliance with town planning regulations and relocate roadside traders and operators of illegal motor parks to approved and convenient facilities to decongest roadside business and allow free traffic flow.
• Simplify the process of obtaining requisite licenses and permits to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, expand and renovate main markets such as the Itam market to accommodate more traders and provide a comfortable environment for legitimate businesses.
• Increase proactive measures to prevent and stop illegal buildings at an early stage and enforce laws against illegal motor parks and roadside trading to create a conducive environment for smart city development.
• Conduct effective sensitization and awareness campaign to educate residents on the benefits of observing town planning regulations and revamp/renovate existing motor parks to improve functionality and create a comfortable business environment for workers and travelers.
• Continue on the good works of his predecessor, Prince Enobong Uwah by completing Akwa GIS project which is aimed at digitalizing all operations of the authority in line with global standards, such as fast-tracking the process of getting building and development approvals.
• Implement measures to address perennial flooding, traffic congestions, and building collapses due to poor designs and reposition the city’s transportation sector for better service delivery in line with the vision of creating a smart city.
• Strengthen regulatory enforcement to ensure compliance with building approvals and address dilapidation and decay in parks and market facilities through renovation and maintenance.
• Invest in smart technology and infrastructure to improve the efficiency of city services and utilities and alleviate the encroachment issue at Eniong Offot market caused by Nwaniba ravine.
• Foster public-private partnerships to drive investment in smart city initiatives and projects and engage with various stakeholders such as market women, park operators, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers to solicit their cooperation in achieving the smart capital city vision.
• Establish sustainable urban development policies to promote a more environmental friendly and resilient city and conduct an assessment of all the facilities, taking necessary steps to address the challenges observed during the visit.
These efforts demonstrates Hon. Anietie Eka’s dedication to realizing Governor Umo Eno’s vision for Uyo capital city. His efforts are geared towards transforming the city by working towards the implementation of smart solutions. As this vision continue to materialize, the capital city of our dear state can look forward to a future as a sustainable city, enhancing the quality of life for its residents and the entire people of Akwa Ibom State.
UCCDA: Catalyzing Gov. Umo Eno’s Vision for A Smart City Development
