Friday June 26, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Idorenyin UMOREN
The Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno has ordered a redesign of a road project in the state after personally inspecting a section where residents had complained of poor drainage, rejecting what appeared to be an attempt by officials to steer him away from the area with the poor drainage.
The governor issued the directive on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, while inspecting the Afaha Atai Road project in Eket Local Government Area shortly after commissioning another road project in the area.
According to Premium TIMES, a video of the inspection, shows Governor Eno insisting on visiting the exact location where he said he had received several complaints despite initially being taken elsewhere.
“I have received a lot of complaints on this road. I’m told the drains are not good enough,” the governor said.
“No. They are good,” Uwem Okoko, the managing director of the contracting firm, Hensek Integrated Services Limited, responded.
Unsatisfied, the governor queried: “So, what’s the problem on this road?”
When he realised he had been taken to another section, Governor Eno remarked: “I have received complaints about this Afaha Atai Road. Where you’ve brought me is not where there is a complaint. You people are just micromanaging. The moment you started walking me around, I knew this was not the road I wanted to visit.”
After someone in his entourage pointed out that the governor was not at the correct location, Governor Eno replied: “Take me there. I am from here now, I know Afaha Atai.”
At the affected section, the governor invited residents to explain their concerns. “I want one person to tell me what the problem is with this road,” he said.
A resident told the governor that flooding remained a major concern despite expressing confidence in the contractor, Premium TIMES reported.
“I live here. My house is not far from here. The place is flooded, and the pattern used for construction is good because I know Hensek will deliver, but my concern is what I cannot tell you here openly.”
The governor encouraged him to speak freely.
“That is why I came. Say it openly so it can be corrected. There is nothing anybody will do to you; that is why I am here.”
The resident replied: “Floodwater has to be evacuated at the front to have free flow.” He also directed the governor to another adjoining road.
While inspecting the adjoining road, the governor noticed workers laying a stone base apparently because they knew he was visiting the site. He immediately summoned the contractor.
“This stone base is because I’m coming,” Mr Eno said. He announced that the road would be redesigned.
“This road will be done. Hensek handles the construction. I trusted him before I gave him the project. The road has to be redesigned and will be handled by Hensek. I will revisit this site in two months. Everything will be okay.”
The governor’s visit came about two months after a video posted on Facebook by Akwa Ibom PDP chieftain Assam Unwana drew attention to what he described as poorly executed drainage on the project.
