Deputy Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon KufreAbasi Edidem, has applauded Governor Umo Eno, facilitating several life – touching projects in his Itu state constituency, pledging that the House would take all necessary steps to ensure timely completion of all the ongoing projects.

The lawmaker gave the assurance during a courtesy call on the Paramount Ruler of Itu local government area, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, in his palace at Ayadehe, after an on – the – spot assessment of ongoing work on the sites as part of his oversight duties.

He explained that as their representative in House, the visit would afford him the opportunity to engage the local residents and elicit feedback from the communities.

He expressed optimism about the commitment of the Umo Eno-led administration to improving infrastructure in the area, and commended the administration for awarding the contract for the construction of six ongoing road projects in the constituency.

Other interventions, according to Edidem, included the erosion control and drainage project, model primary school, the remodelling of Etaha Itam market and provision of amenities.

He said: “Your Majesty, I’m here to inform you that we are in your domain to inspect the progress of the ongoing projects in Itu, of which the road to your Palace is among. I’m here with the council chairman”, the lawmaker explained in his remarks.

“Our visit is to feel the pulse of the people and also hear from the contractors, their challenges and to ensure that we interface with the government to overcome the challenges and impediments that might hinder the smooth and timely execution of the projects”, he added.

He noted that “with the construction of the ongoing projects in Itu, the governor has fulfilled the promise he made to Itu people during his campaigns”.

He, therefore, appealed to the youths of the benefitting communities to cooperate with the construction firms and to continue to support the development strides of the state government.

“Itu has never had it this good in terms of road projects, this is the only government that has remembered Itu local government in the area of road construction. So, the government deserves our support, and I want to urge the youths and other community members to maintain the peace and also support the government of Pastor Eno”, he recalled.

He stressed the importance of community support in facilitating the successful completion of the projects.

Responding, the Paramount Ruler, Edidem Inyang, expressed thanks to the lawmaker and his entourage, noting that it has provided the platform and opportunity to engage with the people in the communities, and to assess progress of work, adding that working in synergy with the council chairman, Hon. Ubong Nkutt, would draw more dividends of democracy to the constituency.

The Monarch expressed his support for the smooth and peaceful completion of the ongoing projects, and called upon relevant authorities to rectify any implementation and execution issues.

Addressing the construction firms handling the road projects, the deputy speaker assured the contractors that the government would address concerns regarding funding and project cost variations.

He charged the contractors to adhere to project specifications and local content policies to minimise tensions in their area of operations.

Also, speaking, the chairman of Itu local government area, Hon Ubong Nkutt, the deputy speaker’s initiative, and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful environment that fosters development and progress in the area.

Nkutt added that the Council, under his leadership, has articulated a development blueprint aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of Itu.

The projects visited by the deputy speaker and his team, included, the 5.5km Oku- Iboku- Ayadeghe road, 5km T-junction – Mary Slessor hospital road project, Model Primary School, Odiok Itam, 4km Uyo village road , 4.7km Itam industrial layout/Quality Ceramic road, connecting, Mbak – Ikot Ebom – Ikot Ekwere communities, Calabar- Itu road erosion/drainage project, Remodelling of Etaha Itam market with park, street lighting and Toilets, 2.07km Itu – urua ekpa road, with underground drainage.
|TheNewsDESK|