Members of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on tour of Akwa Ibom State project sites

Members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Thursday last week commenced a statewide tour of selected projects executed by Governor Akpabio's Administration. The lawmakers, who were at various locations said that the visit was part of their oversight functions. The lawmakers also examined the on-going construction of the new ultramodern olympic sized stadium, The new governor's office, the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, e-library, some projects in Mbo and Oron LGAs including the bridge at Etebi-Enwang road which was awarded since 2008 to Sinoeng Nigeria Ltd, among others.

The inspection tour took the lawmakers to Ikot Oku Ikono/ Abak Road, the Ukpom Bridge in Abak under construction, Abak Utu Nsehe – Nkwot Ikono road handled by Setraco, and the dualized bridge to replace the old bridge along Uyo-Abak Road.

The Speaker of the "People's Assembly", Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon, on Thursday urged contractors to justify government’s huge investments in projects by ensuring that all contract execution meet the highest standards.

Ikon spoking during a project tour with the members embarked upon to inspect government projects executed by Akpabio's government across the State in order to appraise the performances of the executive. Ikon said contractors’ performance would be assessed in terms of standard and quality of materials used. “Akwa Ibom People want to see value for their money being spent on the Stadium and other projects across the State,” he said. He noted that all the projects inspected so far had shown that the present administration had delivered on a lot of its promises. “We expect journalists to give maximum coverage to this event and Nigerians and the world over will know and have knowledge of the work going on in Akwa Ibom State.

“We are amazed by the level of work done by this administration", the Speaker averred, commending the State Governor, chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, on his commitment towards developing the state in an uncommon way and assured him of the readiness of the 5th Assembly to encourage him to do more for the people of the state.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Udo Kierian urged contractors handling projects across the state to ensure that they complete jobs awarded to them by the state government on time.

At the Ukpom Bridge in Abak under construction, Elder Kierian in company with other lawmakers stated that going by the progress of work at the over ten projects inspected, there is cause to look ahead, describing the projects as very strategic and that the state government is desirous that the project is delivered on schedule. While thanking the contractor, Reycon Construction Company on its superlative work, adding that the House Committee on works and Transport will call back to exercise oversight functions on the job.

The Commissioner of Housing and Urban Renewal, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem who took lawmakers round project sites said the essence of the tour as could be observed from the attendance by lawmakers representing the various Constituencies which were visited is that the whole government is on the same page. "You will see the multiplying effect to the State economy when all of these projects are completed and that is the whole theme and thrust of Akpabio's government. He hinted that the ultramodern Olympic sized stadium which has a 30,000 seater capacity has been executed up to 10% and assured that the entire stadium will be completed in 2014.

Responding, the Managing Director of Raycon, Engr. Sarkis Gabriel assured the House that the company will do all it can to deliver the project on time. He added that the company is carrying out graded compaction to deliver an enduring road, while citing bad weather as a challenge.

At Ikot Oku Ikono/ Abak Road, Engr. Udofia of the ministry of works informed the House that the road which is 34.3km long with a bridge will be delivered in two years time with present level of job done put at 10%.

The Julius Berger contractor in charge of the Bridge Construction, Engr. Bliss assured the House that the company will do its best to complete all jobs awarded to them on schedule.

The House also made stop over at Abak Utu Nsehe – Nkwot Ikono road handled by Setraco where the Area Manager of the Company, Engr. Charbel Eid told the house that pilling of stone base was almost completed, while he put completion of road at 18-20months.