Friday September 26, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
Stakeholders of Mbiafun Ikot Abasi in Ini Local Government Area have unanimously reiterated their appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno; the World Bank and French Development Agency over the ongoing construction of the Fiong Aran – Mbiafun Ikot Abasi road, under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, AKS-RAAMP, describing the project as a strong economic boost to the viability of the Fiong Aran market and a blessing the entire community.
They gave the commendation yesterday during a special stakeholders engagement organized by AKS-RAAMP to discuss a recent complaint to the World Bank, initiated by one Prince Great Paul Owo – a Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President.
In his address, the Village Head of Mbiafun Ikot Abasi, Eteidung Joseph Anyang, described the community relationship with AKS-RAAMP, the contractors and consultants as generally very cordial since inception of the project and dissociated the community from any complaints regarding the project.
Also speaking on behalf of the Village Council, the Personal Assistant to the Governor representing Ward 8 in Ini Local Government Area – Mr. Esituko Ekanem, explained that “all forms of communications from the community must bear our letter – head, stamp and signatures of the Village Head and Village Council Chairman,” adding that “we remain law-abiding citizens and plead with RAAMP to proceed with the job to completion,” while reassuring their continued support to the project.
Similarly, Rev. Itoro Anthony, speaking on behalf of the Mbiafun Ikot Abasi Development Association Worldwide as well as Engr. Emmanuel Ebebe – an illustrious son and community leader reasoned that “the community should have been consulted on whatsoever reasons should have been responsible for any complaints, as they disowned the document in its entirety.”
The complainant, Prince Great Paul Owo however regretted that his concerns had been misinterpreted as opposition to the project and apologized to the community and other stakeholders for any misinformation that had generated the controversy, pointing out that his petition was never intended to stall the project but to highlight weather-related concerns and timelines for prompt completion of the job.
In their separate remarks, the Technical Assistant on Social Safeguards at the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU of RAAMP, Dr. Lekwuma Isaac and Mrs. Noni Okolo – Social Safeguards Officer – emphasized that the project is governed by strict adherence to transparency and disclosure procedures and admonished all stakeholders on the importance of always following through the the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) channels established in the community first, to the State RAAMP office, before proceeding to FPMU and ultimately the World Bank if their issues were not resolved.
They commended the peaceful atmosphere of the meeting, noting that “where there is crisis, development is stalled. We only wish the community peace, understanding, growth and sustainable development.”
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, represented by the Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the State Project Monitoring Committee of AKS-RAAMP, Dr. Atim Okoko recalled the deplorable state of the road before intervention and condemned the petition, as it did not reflect the general position of the community. “We are aware that this village had prayed for the road for years. Now that it is here, it is very important to protect and support it until completion,” she appealed and urged the petitioner, Prince Great Paul Owo to write back to the World Bank and other authorities in which he had copied his complaints to clear the air on the issue.
Earlier in his presentation, the State Project Coordinator of AKS-RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan had noted that the 4.3 km Mbiafun Ikot Abasi – Fiong Aran road was awarded to K-Class Multi-Global Engineering Ltd in June, 2024 as part of Phase 1 of RAAMP spot improvement projects. The job was later reviewed in scope of work to upgrading in April, 2025 and is expected to be completed in June, 2026.
The length of the road for construction had further been reviewed to 5.1 km, following a genuine request by the community, among other considerations, while current implementation status of the project is 38 percent, while the site clearing, stripping and design review from 4.3km to 5.1 km had been completed.
Pastor Akpan maintained that AKS-RAAMP, the contractors and consultants had enjoyed good understanding and cordiality since inception of the project, as he reassured all stakeholders that his team was committed to ensuring the realization of all her projects, including the 4.3 km Mbiafun Ikot Abasi – Fiong Aran road in line with the ARISE agenda, under the leadership of His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D.
He solicited maximum cooperation from all stakeholders for overall best results, pointing out that the controversy was as a result of indequate knowledge and cross – checking of facts, while expressing appreciation that the issues had been resolved.
