Saturday July 4, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has set a September 2026 for the official commissioning of the ARISE Palm Resort which he said will redefine tourism in the State.

The Governor made the remarks Friday, June 3, 2026 while fielding questions from Government House Correspondents after an inspection tour of the project along Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo.

He expressed optimism that the landmark tourism project would be ready for commissioning in September, noting that the current pace of work had boosted his confidence in the contractors’ commitment. He, however, emphasized that adverse weather must not be allowed to affect the delivery timeline.

The Governor assured that the resort facility will be run in its full capacity to realize its expected lofty objectives with effective maintenance strategy already put in place.

“I believe we can do this in September. We have two months to tidy up, and the rains should not be an excuse.

“Government has already developed sustainability mechanisms for all major projects under the ARISE Agenda.”

He lamented that many public facilities across Africa deteriorate because maintenance is rarely prioritised after commissioning, assuring residents that the new resort would be professionally managed to preserve its quality and economic value.

The Managing Director of the contracting firm, Bulletine Construction Company, Chief Faysal Harb, assured the Governor that operators would progressively take over completed facilities from August, with apartments and restaurants already nearing completion ahead of the formal commissioning.

Also speaking, the Destination Marketing Manager for the project, Mrs. Stella Fubara, disclosed that marketing efforts are already in full swing, saying discussions with operators, vendors and potential workforce had long commenced.

With preparations shifting from construction to operations and marketing, the ARISE Palm Resort is poised to become one of Akwa Ibom’s biggest tourism and hospitality assets, reinforcing the state’s ambition to emerge as a premier leisure and investment destination.

On the Governor’s entourage were the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; and other government functionaries.